The Auburn baseball team came up one run short against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles today in the final game of the Auburn Tournament, losing 5-4.
Despite Auburn's success in getting runners on base--the bases were loaded three times during the game--the team failed to execute in key moments, said coach John Pawlowski, leaving a total of 14 runners stranded on base.
"At some point we have to come through with a big pitch or a big base hit, and we haven't been able to do that yet," Pawlowski said.
"Southern Miss fought back and put some pressure on us early. It's a tough weekend. We lost two out of three at home, which is disappointing."
Auburn's (7-6) Jay Gonzalez, sophomore outfielder, started the second inning with a solo home run to left field, putting the Tigers up 1-1. USM (8-4) took a 2-1 lead at the top of the third.
There was a 15-minute game delay after the home umpire suffered a minor concussion after being struck in his face mask with a pitch. Auburn junior pitcher Slade Smith took the mound after play resumed.
Gonzalez narrowed a 3-1 Golden Eagles lead in the sixth inning after doubling on a hit to right field to score sophomore Dan Glevenyak. Gonzalez then crossed the plate after a throwing error by Southern Mississippi's third baseman, tying the game at 3-3.
The score remained even into the eighth inning, but the Golden Eagles retook the lead with two runs in the inning. The Tigers loaded the bases for the third time in the bottom of the eighth, but were again unable to bring any runners home.
Junior outfielder Cullen Wacker started the final inning strong, however, hitting a solo home run and bringing the scoreboard to 5-4.
Redshirt sophomore Patrick Savage was walked next, and his pinch runner, junior Mitchell Self, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, but the rally ultimately ended on a fly ball out by sophomore Blake Austin.
The Tigers will face the University of Alabama (4-3) Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Capital City Classic, which will be played at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery.
"It's a great venue," Pawlowski said. "You know Auburn fans will be out in full force."
Pawlowski said the weekend tournament against nonconference opponents helped prepare the team for its first SEC matchup.
"We played three different teams this weekend and it gives us a chance to get a lot of different looks and a lot of different teams," Pawlowski said. "We'll take this weekend and learn from it and hopefully on Tuesday we'll be a better team. The next home game is Friday against Belmont at 6 p.m.
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