Missouri baseball showed flashes of competitiveness against No. 6 Auburn but ultimately came up short, as the Tigers from Auburn completed a series sweep at Taylor Stadium in Columbia. Despite solid performances from Missouri’s starting pitchers, the team was unable to secure its first SEC victory of the season.
In the doubleheader, Missouri starters Josh McDevitt and Brady Kehlenbrink each worked six innings and delivered strong outings. However, the offense struggled to maintain the same momentum, allowing Auburn to capitalize late in both games.
Game One
After Javyn Pimental’s strong start on Friday, Josh McDevitt followed with an equally impressive performance on Saturday. For most of the game, McDevitt matched Auburn starter Jackson Sanders pitch for pitch in a tightly contested matchup.
The game remained a pitching duel for much of the afternoon. By the third inning, McDevitt had already recorded seven strikeouts, nearly matching his career-high mark. He eventually finished with 10 strikeouts while allowing only three hits. The lone blemish came in the fifth inning when a throwing error during a pickoff attempt allowed a runner to advance to third and later score on an RBI groundout.
Missouri took an early 1–0 lead in the second inning thanks to Jase Woita, but the offense couldn’t build on the advantage. Auburn tied the game in the seventh with a sacrifice fly after McDevitt exited the game. The visitors added another run in the eighth with a bases-loaded walk, pushing the score to 3–1.
Missouri responded in the bottom of the eighth. A hit-by-pitch, sacrifice bunt, and stolen base by Jamal George set the stage for Kam Durnin’s RBI single. Woita followed with another single to tie the game at 3–3, energizing the crowd at Taylor Stadium. Cameron Benson nearly gave Missouri the lead with a deep drive, but it was caught at the right-center field fence.
After Sam Rosand retired Auburn in order in the ninth, Missouri had a chance for a walk-off win. However, despite a leadoff single from Mateo Serna, the Tigers couldn’t deliver the decisive hit.
Auburn took control in the 10th inning when Cade Belyeu was hit by a pitch, Chris Rembert singled, and Chase Fralick drove in the go-ahead run with a hit down the right-field line. Missouri’s top hitters were unable to answer in the bottom half of the inning, sealing the extra-inning loss.
Missouri finished with 13 strikeouts at the plate and left several runners stranded, preventing them from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Head coach Kerrick Jackson acknowledged the frustration of the weekend, noting that while the pitching staff gave the team strong starts, the offense could not provide enough support when it mattered most.
Game Two
The second game of the doubleheader also began as a low-scoring contest. Missouri relied on Brady Kehlenbrink, who kept Auburn largely in check through six innings. One notable lineup change was the absence of Tyler Macon from the starting lineup, giving him a mental break after pressing in recent games.
Auburn managed just one run in the first six innings on an RBI single in the fourth. Kehlenbrink quickly recovered and retired the next five batters.
Missouri finally tied the game in the sixth inning when Cameron Benson hit a double into the right-center gap and Kaden Peer followed with an RBI single to make it 1–1.
The game turned dramatically in the seventh inning. Auburn opened the frame with a single and a double before a walk loaded the bases, ending Kehlenbrink’s outing after another strong performance that included five strikeouts.
Facing the Missouri bullpen, Auburn erupted offensively. The visitors collected six hits in the inning, including a three-run home run, turning a 1–1 tie into an 8–1 lead before the inning ended.
Auburn added another run in the eighth. Missouri attempted a late rally in the ninth when Pierre Seals led off with his second hit of the game and freshman Blaize Ward delivered an RBI single. However, the comeback attempt fell short, and Missouri dropped the game 9–2 to conclude the doubleheader.
Despite competitive pitching performances throughout the series, Missouri’s inability to convert scoring chances ultimately allowed Auburn to secure the sweep.
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