AUBURN – Despite showing promise in games one and three, the Auburn Tigers were unable to pick up a win over the No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats at home this weekend.
The Tigers lost 6-5 in game one on Thursday, 9-1 in game two on Friday and 13-8 in the series finale on Saturday.
Kentucky got out to a 4-0 lead in game one, but a four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning got Auburn back into the game.
The Wildcats put on two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. An RBI single from Christian Hall in the bottom of the eighth inning brought Auburn within one, but the Tigers were not able to tie the game.
Dylan Watts got the start for Auburn in game one, but it was Carson Myers and Will Cannon out of the bullpen who kept Auburn competitive. Deric Fabian and Cale Stricklin each drove in two runs.
“We played well, played a good team,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. “I think we have everything in position now, but we’re going to have to get one more hit or make one more pitch. We’re kind of at that stage here, but we really hung in there the whole time.”
The second game of the series was a complete domination.
Auburn's only run came from a sacrifice fly from Christian Hall in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cooper McMurray and Gavin Miller combined for four of Auburn's six hits with two each.
Chase Allsup got the start for Auburn and allowed seven runs in three innings. Conner McBride had Auburn's best pitching performance, allowing two runs and striking out seven batters in 4.2 innings.
"We’re fighting to try to get on the board or get a lead,” Thompson said. “I think it was giving them up and not punching back or getting our damage. We had a chance where we worked hard and got some guys on base, but never blew that gap or left the yard like our opponents have these last four games.”
Auburn took a new approach in the series finale by starting Tanner Bauman. It appeared to pay off in the beginning as Bauman held the Wildcats to one run and three hits in four innings. Additionally, Auburn got out to a 7-0 lead.
A six-run rally in the top of the sixth inning put the Wildcats in control, and Auburn was never able to get back into it.
“It’s exactly how we wanted it set up. (Tanner) Bauman did an amazing job,” Thompson said. “They stormed back. I think we had the bases loaded two more times. Our whole challenge this first half is not being able to do enough required on the mound to be good enough to have a chance to get the result you want.”
Auburn is now 18-17 on the season and 2-13 in SEC Play.
The Tigers return to action on Tuesday for a contest with the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets at Plainsman Park at 6 p.m. CT. The television broadcast can be found on SEC Network, and the Auburn Sports Network broadcast can be heard locally on Wings 94.3 FM or streamed anywhere on the Auburn Athletics app.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.locke@1819news.com.
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