Auburn Daily

Takeaways: Auburn run rules #1 LSU in game three handing the Bayou Bengals their first series loss in SEC play

What can we take away from Auburn's massive game three and series win over #1 LSU?

Andrew Stefaniak

Takeaways: Auburn run rules #1 LSU in game three handing the Bayou Bengals their first series loss in SEC play
Takeaways: Auburn run rules #1 LSU in game three handing the Bayou Bengals their first series loss in SEC play /

Auburn just won its biggest game of the season run ruling #1 LSU to win the series. 

This was LSU's first series loss of conference play, so Auburn is going to make a massive leap in the RPI rankings. 

Auburn played the perfect ball game in all facets, leading to this 12-2 win. 

This series win has Auburn right back in the thick of it after beating #3 South Carolina in a series last weekend. 

Auburn baseball fans have a lot to be excited about after another fun weekend of baseball on the Plains. 

What can we take away from this series-clinching blowout win over #1 LSU? 

Butch Thompson is a genius

Butch Thompson
Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

The position Coach Thompson put Auburn in this weekend deserves a big tip of the cap. Auburn was facing Paul Skenes on Friday, one of the best pitchers in college baseball history. Instead of having Tommy Vail matchup with Skenes, Coach Thompson held him for Saturday and Christian Herberholz for Sunday. Auburn, of course, was shut down by Skenes on Friday but went on to win games two and three with Vail and Herberholz on the bump. This is why Coach Thompson is one of the best in the business. This was a heck of a call by Auburn's skipper that is a big reason why Auburn was able to knock off #1 LSU. 

Christian Herberholz was nails

Christian Herberholz
Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Herberholz has been excellent on the mound over his last few starts, and that was no different in this ball game. The righty threw five innings, only allowing one run and striking out four. Herberholz has one of the best change-ups I have ever seen from a college pitcher and fooled LSU hitters with this pitch all game. Him being able to go five innings was huge for Auburn to be able to hold onto the early lead. Herberholz will be a big part of Auburn's postseason run. 

Kason Howell and Cooper McMurray both had massive games

Kason Howell
Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Kason Howell and Cooper McMurray combined to go 5-7 in this ball game with eight RBI's. McMurray was cold in the first two games of this series but then turned it on in the finale with three hits to help the Tigers beat #1 LSU. Howell had two RBI triples which were both big hits in this ball game. Auburn will need these two to stay hot over the next few weeks if they want to make a deep run in the postseason. 

Drew Nelson is figuring it out at the right time

Drew Nelson on the mound for Auburn baseball against Alabama.
Trey Lee / Auburn Daily

Drew Nelson is finding his stride at the right time for the Tigers. He threw the final three innings of this ball game, striking out three LSU hitters. Nelson has found the zone and will be a staple for this Auburn pitching staff for many years. Auburn has needed a reliever to step up, and Nelson has answered the call of late. I expect the true freshman to pitch in some big spots down the stretch of the season.

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Andrew Stefaniak
ANDREW STEFANIAK

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