Auburn baseball beats NC State to keep its season alive
How Auburn baseball extended its season with a high-scoring win over NC State
Olivia Bennett 
Facing a season-defining moment, Auburn baseball delivered an emphatic statement against North Carolina State to keep its postseason dreams alive.
A Powerful Start
The Tigers wasted no time, erupting for eight runs in the first inning to seize control immediately. By the time the dust settled, Auburn had secured a 17-13 victory. The offensive explosion mirrored the pressure faced in their previous loss to Milwaukee, where the roles were reversed. Just as the Tigers were stunned early on Friday, they successfully flipped the script to build a commanding 10-0 cushion against the Wolfpack.
The Long Ball and Resilience
Auburn’s lineup flexed its muscle with five home runs. Chase Fralick ignited the fire with a three-run blast in the opening frame. Meanwhile, Cade Belyeu and Ethin Bingaman both delivered multi-homer performances. For Belyeu, who entered the contest with only one home run on the year, the breakout effort was a testament to his focus. "It’s been a rough year, but let that pass and just take it day at a time, and a game at a time," Belyeu reflected postgame. "I’m trying to win for Auburn; not for me, but for Auburn."
Managing the Mound
While the offense thrived, the defense and pitching staff dealt with adversity. NC State capitalized on sloppy play and two third-inning throwing errors to trim the lead to 10-7. Starting pitcher Andreas Alvarez surrendered nine runs, though only four were earned. The bullpen faced significant turbulence as Griffin Graves and Garrett Brewer struggled to contain the Wolfpack attack in the middle innings. Ultimately, the Tigers leaned on All-SEC reliever Jackson Sanders, who locked down the final 2.1 innings to secure the win.
Looking Ahead
Head coach Butch Thompson noted the gravity of the situation for his squad. "This is our last chapter of the season, we got to, or we don’t get to go anymore," Thompson said. Auburn must now navigate a grueling path to keep moving. The Tigers are scheduled for another high-stakes elimination game this Sunday at 2 p.m. CT, where they will face the loser of the Central Florida versus Milwaukee matchup.
