Spectacular outing by Braymer keys comeback win

Ben Braymer was spectacular out of the bullpen for Auburn Thursday night.

The junior struck out a career-high 11 and gave up just two hits over the final 5.0 innings to lead Auburn to an 11-9 win at Missouri.

“We put up five goose eggs with Ben Braymer -- special night,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “He’s been working really hard to get going. Elevated some fastballs. Missouri was swinging the bat tonight and they absolutely went away because of Ben’s arm.”

Braymer (3-2) struck out the final five hitters of the game as Auburn improved to 15-15 overall and 3-7 in the SEC.

“I think my fastball worked very well for me tonight,” Braymer said. “For the most part I was able to locate it pretty well. I was fortunate enough to have some bad swings on it and have them chase it up in the zone.”

Auburn trailed 9-8 when Braymer entered the game to start the fifth inning but battled back for single runs in the sixth, eighth and ninth. Damon Haecker was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth to drive in a run and tie the game at 9-all.

Niko Buentello gave Auburn the lead in the eighth with a towering home run over the fence in right center and Anfernee Grier drove in an insurance run in the ninth on a two-out triple.

“No doubt a team victory,” Thompson said. “We were more focused on us and really played it out tonight and it led to a victory, which was huge. It gives us two more chances to win a series.”

Melvin Gray had a big night at the plate going 4 of 5 with three runs scored and two RBI. Jordan Ebert added three hits and two runs scored while Grier, Buentello, Joshua Palacios and Kyler Deese had two hits apiece.

Buentello, Deese and Damon Haecker drove home two runs apiece.

“We played crazy offense the entire game,” Thompson said. “Perseverance for Melvin Gray to just keep hanging in there and getting better and he gets four hits for us tonight.”

Auburn led 5-2 after the third innings but Missouri roughed up Auburn starter Cole Lipscomb for nine runs on 10 hits in 3.2 innings including a seven-run fourth. Only six of those runs were earned as Auburn committed two errors.

Cole Bartlett (2-3) took the loss allowing two runs on three hits in 3.0 innings. Missouri starter Reggie McClain allowed eight runs, six earned, on 12 hits in 5.0 innings.

Auburn’s Daniel Robert injured his left hand during a collision at first base and had to leave the game in the fourth inning.

Game two of the series will be Friday at 6 p.m. CT on SECN+ and WatchESPN. Auburn senior right-hander Justin Camp (2-1, 4.57 ERA) will face Missouri sophomore right-hander Tanner Houck (3-2, 2.76).