It was a classic pitchers' duel on the Plains Thursday night, but unfortunately for Auburn baseball, the bats went quiet at the worst time. The No. 6 Tigers fell to No. 4 Georgia, 2-1, in the opening game of their final regular-season SEC series—a game that felt more like a postseason preview than a regular-season matchup.
For Auburn ace Jake Marciano, it was another frustrating outing where run support was hard to come by. The Tigers' offense struggled to get going against a Georgia team that continues to flex its power. The Bulldogs launched two solo home runs, pushing their NCAA-leading total to a staggering 142 bombs on the season. That kind of firepower is tough to overcome, especially in a one-run game.
With the NCAA Tournament just two weeks away, every game carries extra weight for Auburn as it fights to secure a national seed for the second straight year. So, how much did Thursday's loss sting in the RPI race?
According to D1Baseball's latest RPI rankings, Auburn slipped from No. 2 to No. 3. The loss dropped the Tigers' record against Quad 1 opponents to 13-14—still an impressive mark, as only 12 other teams in the country have more than 10 Quad 1 wins. That kind of resume strength should keep Auburn firmly in the hosting conversation.
The bigger factor in the RPI shuffle? Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets shut out Boston College 9-0 on the road Thursday night, picking up another Quad 1 win and reclaiming the No. 2 spot they'd lost to Auburn earlier in the week. It's shaping up to be a two-team tug-of-war between Auburn and Georgia Tech for that coveted top-tier seeding, and the battle will likely continue right up until the NCAA Regionals begin on May 29.
For now, the Tigers have a chance to bounce back and even the series with Georgia on Friday. A win would not only improve their Quad 1 record but also boost their hosting hopes. Game two is set for 7 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park, with SEC Network handling the broadcast.
If you're an Auburn fan, this is the kind of series that defines a season—and it's far from over.