Simpson’s 9th-inning homer lifts Auburn past Clemson 11-10

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Simpson’s HR lifts Auburn past Clemson 11-10

AUBURN, Ala. — Creede Simpson hit a three-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth to give Auburn an 11-10 victory over Clemson on Sunday night.

The host Tigers (43-20) forced a rematch on Monday night for a super regional berth with the victory fueled by an unlikely source and barely preserved by closer Austin Hubbard.

Simpson, who replaced a gimpy Trent Mummey (hamstring) in centerfield in the seventh, belted a 1-2 pitch from Tomas Cruz to left-center field in his only at bat for his fifth homer.

Clemson (40-22) rallied in the bottom half, opening with singles by Richie Schaffer and Wilson Boyd off Hubbard. Both runners moved up on a bunt by Spencer Kieboom and Schaffer scored on a wild pitch that moved Boyd to third as the potential tying run.

Hubbard got Addison Johnson to ground out to first base and Jeff Schaus popped up near the first-base bag.