Auburn Tigers Rally Past Troy with Thrilling Walk-Off Win

AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 25 Auburn Tigers pulled off a thrilling 7-6 walk-off victory over No. 24 Troy on Tuesday night, thanks to a strong pitching performance and a clutch hit by Ike Irish at Plainsman Park.

Auburn, who remains undefeated at home, faced an early challenge as Troy jumped to a 6-4 lead by the third inning, showcasing a powerful offensive lineup that racked up nine hits against Auburn’s pitching staff. However, a remarkable effort from the Tigers’ bullpen turned the game around.

Cam Tilly and Jett Johnston delivered a sensational relief performance, combining for 11 strikeouts and allowing no hits in the final five innings of the game. “We talked about getting to that seventh, eighth and ninth inning,” said Auburn head coach Butch Thompson. “It’s been the moment and results we’ve been waiting for.”

The decisive moment came in the bottom of the ninth when Bub Terrell ignited the rally with a lead-off single and advanced to third on an error in the outfield. Troy, looking to challenge the Tigers, intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases.

Ike Irish stepped to the plate and delivered a walk-off single to left-center, scoring Terrell and sparking a jubilant celebration among his teammates. “Big credit to Bub,” Irish said after the game. “If he doesn’t leg it out, we’re not in that situation. It’s been a long time coming for me.”

Auburn opened the game with an aggressive start, scoring four runs in the first inning, including a commanding three-run home run from Derric Fabian. Troy, however, responded decisively, scoring five runs in the second inning to take a temporary lead.

Despite the early scoring surge from Troy, the Auburn pitching staff quickly found their groove. Tilly struck out seven consecutive batters at one point, matching a career high. “It’s kind of like a flow state,” Tilly said. “You lose track of everything and just focus on the batter.”

Johnston echoed Tilly’s sentiments, expressing gratitude for the team’s collective effort. “It was a great team win,” Johnston said after his first appearance on the mound. “All the guys before me did their jobs and set me up right.”

Auburn’s performance showcased not only resilience but the ability to overcome adversity, with players stepping up when it mattered the most. The Tigers now hold a record of 3-1 as they look ahead to their next matchup against North Alabama on Wednesday.

With a promising start to the season, Auburn’s players and coaching staff are hopeful that this momentum will carry them forward. “You’re either trying to get momentum or you’re trying to keep momentum,” Irish noted. “Tonight shows how we should play, and that will carry into tomorrow.”