No. 9 Auburn vs. No. 3 LSU Tigers: Important SEC Series Matchup 2024
In the heart of SEC baseball, few matchups come with as much intensity, history, and postseason implication as a series between two national powerhouses like the No. 9 Auburn Tigers and the No. 3 LSU Tigers. As the 2024 season barrels toward its climactic stretch, the late-April series hosted at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge offered fans everything from dominant pitching to late-inning drama and high-octane offenses.
From April 26 to 28, the college baseball world turned its attention to Louisiana as two of the conference’s most formidable programs clashed in what could very well be a preview of postseason showdowns. While LSU secured the series victory, Auburn’s resilience in the finale proved they remain a legitimate threat in the SEC and beyond.
Game 1: LSU Silences Auburn with a Statement Shutout
Final Score: LSU 5, Auburn 0
The opening game of the series was all about Gage Jump, LSU’s Friday-night ace, who delivered a performance worthy of the national spotlight. Jump carved through Auburn’s potent lineup with clinical efficiency, throwing seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, and striking out six. His fastball command and ability to keep hitters off balance made life miserable for Auburn’s batters.
Offensively, Tommy White and Hayden Travinski led the way with solo home runs that ignited the home crowd and gave LSU early momentum. Alex Milazzo, often the unsung hero in the LSU lineup, delivered a crucial two-RBI double in the seventh, extending the lead and virtually sealing the game.
Auburn struggled mightily at the plate, with only four total baserunners in the first seven innings. Their hitters couldn’t adjust to Jump’s off-speed sequences, and the defense faltered under the pressure, committing two errors that kept innings alive for the Tigers of the bayou.
This game wasn’t just a win — it was a statement from LSU: the No. 3 team in the country was playing like it belonged on top.
Game 2: LSU Clinches the Series in Walk-Off Fashion
Final Score: LSU 3, Auburn 2
Game 2 brought all the drama you’d expect from a top-10 SEC showdown. This time, both teams settled in and traded early blows. Auburn’s offense looked far more confident, adjusting to LSU’s pitching depth and stringing together key hits, including an RBI double from Cooper Weiss in the fourth inning that tied the game.
But as the contest wore on, it was LSU’s defense and late-game composure that made the difference. In the ninth inning, tied at two apiece, Josh Pearson stepped into the batter’s box with runners in scoring position and a chance to end it. On a 2-1 count, he lashed a fastball into the right-center gap, scoring Jared Jones from second for a walk-off victory.
Pearson’s heroics weren’t just a one-off moment — it was the exclamation point on a gritty, well-executed game plan by Jay Johnson’s squad, which prioritized pressure at-bats and capitalized on small mistakes from Auburn’s bullpen.
With the win, LSU clinched the series and sent a clear message across the SEC: Alex Box Stadium is still one of the toughest places in college baseball to steal a win.
Game 3: Auburn Avoids the Sweep in a Gutsy Finale
Final Score: Auburn 7, LSU 5
Despite the series already decided, Auburn came out in Game 3 with purpose and fire. The Tigers from the Plains ambushed LSU starter Kade Anderson, tagging him for five runs in the opening inning, including a booming three-run homer by Bobby Peirce that sent the visiting dugout into a frenzy.
From that point forward, the game became a test of endurance. LSU clawed back thanks to a three-run shot by freshman sensation Stephen Milam, and cut the lead to 6-5 by the seventh inning. But Auburn’s bullpen, led by Mason Barnett, held firm.
The Tigers from Auburn added an insurance run in the eighth and leaned heavily on closer Chase Allsup, who worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth by striking out Brayden Jobert on a 96 mph heater to end the game.
It was a gutsy win — not just because it snapped LSU’s streak, but because it came in the face of real adversity. Auburn was reeling after two tough losses but proved they could handle pressure and respond when their backs were against the wall.
Series Takeaways: SEC Postseason Implications
Every SEC series is meaningful, but this one carried additional weight. With both teams squarely in the hunt for a top national seed in the NCAA Tournament, the outcome could play a major role in SEC Tournament seeding, regional hosting rights, and national perception.
For LSU:
- Pitching Depth Is Real: With Gage Jump anchoring the rotation and a bullpen that includes arms like Griffin Herring, Christian Little, and Nate Ackenhausen, LSU’s staff looks built for a long postseason run.
- Power and Poise: LSU continues to get production from multiple spots in the lineup. White and Travinski remain dangerous, but it’s the emergence of Milam and Pearson that gives the Tigers real balance.
- Home Field Advantage: The atmosphere at Alex Box continues to be a game-changer. The crowd noise, energy, and tradition make this venue a true asset.
For Auburn:
- Offense Can Compete with Anyone: Auburn proved it can hang with elite arms, particularly with the way players like Peirce, Ware, and Weiss adjusted as the series progressed.
- Need for Consistency on the Mound: While the offense is potent, Auburn’s starting pitching must find a way to minimize damage early in games. Playing from behind against elite teams puts too much pressure on the bullpen.
- Resilience and Identity: Game 3 showed what this Auburn team is about — grit, pride, and never backing down. That bodes well for the mental toughness they’ll need down the stretch.
Coaching Chess Match: Jay Johnson vs. Butch Thompson
Two of the most respected names in college baseball went head-to-head in this series, and each had his moments. Jay Johnson, known for his aggressive base-running and lineup versatility, pushed the right buttons on Friday and Saturday. His decision to pitch around Peirce in Game 2 and trust Pearson in a walk-off scenario was vintage Johnson — tactical, yet trusting.
Butch Thompson, meanwhile, displayed real leadership by rallying his team after two losses. His Game 3 adjustments — including starting Ike Irish at DH and making a pitching change in the fourth inning — were critical. The response by his players shows just how much they believe in their coach’s message and philosophy.
SEC Landscape After the Series
This series reshapes the top of the SEC West:
- LSU (SEC Record: 14-4) holds tight control atop the division, with series wins over Arkansas, Texas A&M, and now Auburn.
- Auburn (SEC Record: 11-7) still has a clear path to a top-four seed but needs a strong finish to hold off surging teams like Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
Both teams are comfortably projected as regional hosts, with LSU in position to be a top-4 national seed, and Auburn likely looking at a top-10 overall seeding if they close strong.
Players of the Series
LSU – Gage Jump (RHP)
The Friday night ace was electric: 7 IP, 2 H, 6 K, 0 ER. He set the tone for the series and showed why he’s one of the top pitchers in the nation.
Auburn – Bobby Peirce (OF)
Peirce’s Game 3 blast was one of the biggest swings of the weekend. He went 5-for-11 in the series with 4 RBIs and played stellar defense in left field.
Looking Ahead
LSU Schedule Highlights:
- May series at No. 6 Vanderbilt
- Home finale vs. Ole Miss
- SEC Tournament (Hoover, AL)
Auburn Schedule Highlights:
- Upcoming home series vs. Tennessee
- Road trip to Arkansas
- SEC Tournament push begins in earnest
Both teams are postseason-bound — but seeding, matchups, and even hosting responsibilities will be dictated by how they navigate these final three weeks.
A Rivalry That Delivered
There’s something about Auburn vs. LSU that just brings out the best in both teams. Whether it’s the SEC football grind or the spring baseball stage, these schools know how to compete, and they know how to bring the drama.
In 2024, the rivalry grew a little sharper, the memories a little deeper, and the stakes a little higher. This series will be remembered — not just for the wins and losses, but for the quality of baseball and the playoff-level intensity it brought in April.
As the postseason approaches, both Auburn and LSU will reflect on this series — the highs, the lows, and the lessons. And if fate allows, they just might meet again with a trip to Omaha on the line.
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