The Milwaukee Panthers delivered a stunning upset in the NCAA baseball tournament by defeating the Auburn Tigers 13-8. Auburn, a top-seeded team with a 38-19 record, was expected to dominate the regional opener. However, Milwaukee, with a 25-31 record, had other plans.

Early Lead Sets the Tone

Milwaukee wasted no time, scoring six runs in the first two innings. Designated hitter Dom Kibler’s single brought in two runs, followed by left fielder Bradyn Horn’s home run, giving the Panthers a 4-0 lead. By the top of the second, Auburn’s starting pitcher Jake Marciano, known for his impressive 2.65 ERA, was already off the mound.

The Panthers continued their offensive onslaught in the fourth inning, with third baseman Grant Ross and Charlie Marion contributing to a 10-0 lead. Marion’s home run was his 13th of the season, further solidifying Milwaukee’s dominance.

Auburn’s Response Falls Short

Despite a valiant effort to close the gap, including a home run by Eric Guevara, Auburn couldn’t overcome the early deficit. The Tigers managed to cut the lead to 12-7 by the seventh inning but failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the eighth and ninth innings.

Milwaukee’s Riley Peterson played a crucial role in maintaining the lead, holding Auburn scoreless in the eighth and securing the final outs in the ninth. Milwaukee added another run in the ninth, sealing their victory with a final score of 13-8.

Historical Win for Milwaukee

This victory marks only the second NCAA tournament win for Milwaukee, their first since 1999. The Panthers’ performance, going 8-for-16 with runners in scoring position, set a new record for the most runs scored in their tournament history.

Auburn, now on the brink of elimination, joins a short list of top seeds that have lost their regional openers. They will face the loser of the NC State and UCF game in an elimination match, while Milwaukee advances to play the winner.

Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.