Back on the winning track
AUBURN | In what was likely his final start at Plainsman Park, Keegan Thompson pitched one of the finest games of his career.
Thompson held Ole Miss without a run or a hit in 6.0 innings to lead No. 23 Auburn to a 4-1 win and break a seven-game losing streak.
“I just thought he pitched like an ace tonight,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “He took the ball and I guess lightning was the only thing that could stop him tonight.
“He just threw an unbelievable ballgame and I just think the timing of it makes it even more special where his ball club needed him so much.”
The junior right-hander, who improved to 6-4 on the season, struck out eight and issued just two walks on 90 pitches. He had his start cut short after a 1:14 lightning delay in the seventh.
“It was huge for us,” Keegan Thompson said. “Being 0-for the last two weekends it was very important for us to come out and get a win tonight and get our confidence back.
“It’s kind of hard to explain. It’s a special place here. Maybe it being my last time on the mound here at home it was just a nice feeling to go out like that.”
Cole Lipscomb allowed a run on three hits in the final 3.0 innings to earn his sixth save of the season as the Tigers improve to 33-21 overall and 15-13 in the SEC.
Auburn got an unearned run in the second before breaking out with three runs in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Jonah Todd and a two-out, two-run home run by Daniel Robert.
“We’ve been playing from behind the last couple of weeks it seems like,” Butch Thompson said. “I think just scoring first was huge for us.”
Robert, who was 2-of-4, hit his fifth home run of the season into the bullpen in right field. Dylan Ingram was 2-of-4 with a double.
Luke Jarvis, starting for the first time since May 5 due to back spasms, was 1-of-3 with a run scored.
Ole Miss starter James McArthur (3-6) took the loss allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits in 3.1 innings. The Rebels fall to 31-23 overall and 13-15 in the SEC.
The series continues Friday night at 6 p.m. CT and Saturday at 1 p.m. Both games are on SECN+ and WatchESPN. Casey Mize was scratched for Friday’s start with reoccurring arm soreness. He will be replaced by freshman right-hander Davis Daniel.
“Casey today just didn’t feel right,” Butch Thompson said. “He is on the 27-man and we’ll see if we can do something on Saturday but most likely I’d say a start is doubtful and we’ll see about the bullpen. If not, we’ll gleam into Tuesday.”
The SEC Tournament begins Tuesday in Hoover.