by Malcolm Butler
Former Cedar Creek star Brooks Auger saved his best for last.
After tossing just 33 innings during the regular season, Auger got the start in Mississippi State’s 2024 SEC Championship opener against Ole Miss Tuesday night.
He did not disappoint.
Auger worked a season-high 8.0 innings against the Rebels and struck out a career-high 13 batters in a 2-1 Bulldogs come-from-behind win.
The lone run surrendered by Auger came on a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning that gave the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
Auger departed the game following the eight inning with Mississippi State trailing 1-0. The Bulldogs walked it off in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-out, two-run home run to advance to the double elimination portion of the tournament.
He entered the SEC Tournament with a 1-2 record and a 3.78 earned run average with 34 strikeouts in 33.1 innings of action.
Mississippi State will face No. 4 seed Texas A&M today.
