Auburn is still alive in the College World Series. The No. 14 Tigers avoided elimination with a 6-2 win over No. 2 Stanford on Monday.

The Cardinal opened up a 2-0 lead by scoring runs in each of the first 2 innings. Both teams put zeros on the board for the next 3 innings.

In the top of the 6th, Auburn broke out for a 4-run inning. Mike Bello got it going with a single through the left side. He crossed the plate for AU’s first run of the game when Bobby Pierce drew a bases-loaded walk. After Brooks Carlson struck out for the second out of the inning, Cole Foster came through with a bases-clearing double, giving the Tigers a 4-2 lead.

The Tigers added to their lead with 2 more runs in the top of the 7th.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, Stanford loaded the bases with 2 outs, bringing the tying run to the plate in a 6-2 ballgame. Butch Thompson made a call to the bullpen, bringing in Blake Burkhalter. The move paid off. Burkhalter delivered the big strikeout to preserve the 4-run lead.

Burkhalter stayed on to close it out, recording Stanford’s final 6 outs for the save. Starter Trace Bright was the winning pitcher. He went 5 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits, striking out 8 of the 20 batters he faced.