Iron 'Ball'

After a 17-11 start, Auburn baseball travels to Tuscaloosa Friday to begin a three-game series against the 10-19 Crimson Tide.

The last meeting between the two ended with a five-run win in Auburn's favor, bumping the Tigers to 8-6.

Auburn's 8-2 win over Mississippi State Sunday showed coach John Pawlowski that the team is playing to their strengths.

"We had some really big two-out hits," Pawlowski told Auburn athletics after the game. "We scored the majority of our runs with two outs. It's not the way you draw it up, but we will take it. Those guys committed to what we wanted to do today and yesterday and I am glad to see the success they have had the last two days."

Alabama dropped its 19th loss of the year Sunday to Tennessee, losing all three games in the series and scoring only five runs in the last two games.

Alabama had five total hits in the final game of the series, but managed a solo home run from senior Jared Reaves in the fourth inning and a two-run single by senior Hunter Gregory to tie the game. Starting pitcher Jon Keller threw for five innings and allowed five earned runs on five hits.

After defeating Mississippi State, Auburn freshman pitcher Daniel Koger told wsfa.com that his pitching was consistent.

"I felt good early on," Koger said. "I started to wear down a little bit, but it was a good day. I was locating it well and I was throwing the inside pitch really well."

Auburn's game Tuesday against Jacksonville State was canceled due to rain and hasn't yet been rescheduled.

Auburn senior third baseman Justin Bryant made his first start in the field Sunday, driving in two runs and singling the run that put Auburn up 8-2 against the Bulldogs in the eighth inning.

"We're fighters," Bryant said to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. "Two-out hits are the most underrated thing in baseball because it's just a heartbreaker for the other team."

The Tigers are currently 6-3 in the SEC, tied for first place with LSU. After defeating Mississippi State, Pawlowski said his team would respond to facing an SEC opponent.

"I challenged our offense today," Pawlowski said. "I told them that we were better than what we have been doing. I told them we needed to be a little more opportunistic."

Junior first baseman Garrett Cooper also had a two-run double Sunday and told the Ledger-Enquirer that staying positive is important when playing week after week.

"You know, you couldn't ask for more after coming out and losing Friday night," Cooper said. "Hopefully we can go to Alabama next week and keep it going."