AUBURN, Ala. — It took all of four batters for Southern Miss baseball to mount the response required to extend its season after opening the NCAA Tournament with a loss put the Golden Eagles on the brink.
Cleanup hitter Christopher Sargent drove a pitch from Auburn ace Tommy Vail to the opposite field for a three-run homer in the top of the first inning, sending the No. 2 Golden Eagles on their way to a 7-2 victory Saturday at Plainsman Park.
USM’s victory eliminates Auburn (34-23-1), the regional’s host and top seed, and sets up an elimination game between Southern Miss (42-18) and the loser of Saturday night’s contest between No.