Having the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth wasn't enough for the Tigers to snag a last-minute win against Middle Tennessee State University Saturday, Feb. 23, losing to the Blue Raiders 2-1.
Auburn reliever Terrance Dedrick gave up a two-run homer in the eighth to give MTSU the lead and the Tiger's first loss of the season.
It was late in the eighth inning when MTSU put Trevor Haggard on base after an error by Auburn second baseman Jordan Ebert. The Blue Raiders then hit the two-run home run when Johnny Thomas cleared the right field fence of Plainsman Park.
The Tigers had a great shot at securing a walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth, but were unable to capitalize on loaded bases.
MTSU's Paul Mittura walked Ryan Tella, the game's tying run. After a strikeout by Garrett Cooper, Auburn's Damek Tomscha was hit by a pitch and advanced to first. With two on base, Cullen Wacker hit into a double play, but because of catcher interference he advanced to first loading the bases for the Tigers. After a pop fly by Blake Austin, it came down to J.D. Crowe with two outs, and the redshirt freshman popped out to shortstop, ending the game.
Auburn's only score came in the first inning when a walk by Auburn's Jackson Burgreen put him in position early to score after a balk and wild pitch by MTSU's Hunter Adkins advanced him to third. A RBI groundout to second by Tella gave the Tigers the 1-0 lead.
Burgreen also recorded a single in the bottom of the third inning, giving him two hits and a run in the game with three at bats.
Daniel Koger pitched well in his seven innings on the mound for the Tigers, recording six strikeouts and allowing three hits. Dedrick then came into the game in the eighth inning and allowed MTSU to hit the two-run home run. It was the only inning he played, being replaced by Reid Carter in the ninth.
Auburn had two errors in the game, both coming off of infield grounders. The first was in the second inning when shortstop Dan Glevenyak bobbled a hard-hit ball and was unable to make the play. The first at bat in the eighth inning resulted in MTSU pinch hitter Haggard advancing to first after hitting a ground ball to second and Auburn's Ebert misread the hit.
The Tigers are now 4-1 on the season and play the College of Charleston at 2:30 p.m. in the Auburn Baseball Tournament at Plainsman Park.
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