AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — Mason McCraine drove in five runs, including a pivotal two-run double in the seventh inning that broke open a close game, and the Auburn Tigers defeated the Winthrop Eagles 8-1 on Saturday at Plainsman Park in the first game of a doubleheader.

The game, delayed for two hours and 10 minutes by weather in the fourth inning, was a tight contest until Auburn’s offense erupted late against the Winthrop bullpen. The Tigers improved to 13-2 overall, while the Eagles fell to 10-5.

Winthrop struck first in the third inning. Colin Crowley led off with a double down the right-field line, was sacrificed to third by Bowling and scored on an RBI single through the left side by Cox. That run ended a 12-inning scoreless streak for Auburn’s pitching staff against Winthrop in the series.

Auburn answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame against Winthrop starter Randy Guzman. With two outs and the bases loaded on a hit-by-pitch and two walks, McCraine delivered a two-run single to center field, scoring Belyeu and Fralick to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning, turning a one-run contest into a comfortable Auburn advantage. Leading 3-1, the Tigers loaded the bases with one out against reliever Colby McNeely. After a strikeout, McCraine stepped in and laced a double to right-center field, clearing the bases and driving in two runs to extend the lead to 5-1. Steele followed with an RBI single to score McCraine, capping a three-run inning that made it 6-1.

Auburn added two insurance runs in the eighth on a solo home run by Belza and a sacrifice fly by Guevara that scored an unearned run.

While McCraine provided the offensive fireworks, Auburn’s pitching staff effectively quieted Winthrop’s bats after the third inning. Starter Alex Petrovic earned the win, allowing one run on two hits over four innings with two strikeouts. Christian Chatterton provided 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts, and Jett Johnston and Ryan Hetzler closed out the final two frames.

Winthrop’s Crowley was a bright spot in the loss, going 3 for 3 with two doubles and a run scored. Guzman took the loss for the Eagles, allowing two earned runs on no hits over three innings, but he walked three batters.

The victory extended Auburn’s winning streak to five games. The Tigers entered the contest with an 82.2% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, overcoming a pregame simulation that had projected an upset Winthrop victory.

The two teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader immediately following the first game.