Despite an early morning start, fans quickly filled Regions Park to watch the No. 16 Auburn Tigers baseball team (39-18) take on the Alabama Crimson Tide (35-21) in the 2010 Southeastern Conference Tournament. The Tigers scored first but gave up seven unanswered runs in the 7-1 loss Wednesday morning.
Crimson Tide pitcher Jimmy Nelson (8-2) took the win after throwing a complete game and holding the Tigers to one run and a season-low five hits.
"We couldn't really get anything going against (Nelson)," said Auburn coach John Pawlowski. "You have to tip your hat to him."
The Tigers are the top home run hitting team in the conference but got their only run when sophomore Dan Gamache (1-for-3, R) scored on a squeeze bunt from junior Justin Fradejas (0-for-2, RBI) in the bottom of the third.
"You can't expect our guys to hit 14 home runs every game," said junior pitcher Cory Luckie. "We are going to have some bad games, but we are going to put it behind us and be ready for tomorrow."
Luckie struck out junior Brock Bennett (2-for-4, 2B, 2 R) to keep it a one-run game after Alabama freshman Andrew Miller singled to right field, bringing in two runs in the top of the fourth.
The Tide increased their lead in the top of the seventh after junior Taylor Dugas tripled to right field, giving Brock Bennett enough time to bring in Alabama's third run of the day.
The Tide put the nail in the coffin in the ninth after scoring on a based loaded walk and later a two-run single from junior David Kindred (1-for-5, 2 RBI) off of sophomore pitcher Zach Blatt.
The loss puts Auburn in the losers bracket and will play No. 9 South Carolina, a 3-0 loser to Ole Miss, at 9.30 A.M. C.D.T. tomorrow.
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