Defeated last night and being 0-7 in the conference, the Tigers needed a win. Then Auburn found their bats against Alabama Friday, March 29, and did just that, winning their first SEC game of the year 6-3.
"I think it was big to see some smiles in our locker room," said head coach John Pawlowski. "We finally got some things to go our way."
A four-run fifth inning helped Auburn gain a significant lead on Alabama as the Tigers were finally able to find some offensive production.
The first score in the fifth came from a Jordan Ebert ground-ball up the middle for an RBI single. Then, first baseman Garrett Cooper hit a three-run homerun just barely over the center field wall to give the Tigers a hefty 6-1 lead. The homerun was Cooper's second of the year.
"We turned this whole game around, hopefully the whole series around," said Cooper.
Cooper had one homerun, three RBI's and a crucial defensive play in the ninth.
With no outs, Alabama's Cameron Carlisle hit a hard ground ball to first. Cooper fielded it, threw the ball to second and got the runner out. Then Dan Glevenyak turned and threw a laser back to pitcher Terrance Dedrick at first for a game-changing double play. Dedrick retired the next batter to win the game.
"It was beautiful," said Pawlowski. "Terrance got over there and for him to finish that after they got the lead off guy on, it's a nice feeling they did a great job."
Impressive pitching from Michael O'neal through seven innings held the Tide at bay throughout much of the game. O'neal allowed one run through the first seven innings before giving up two in the eighth. Dedrick came in for relief and ended the game with his double play and a strikeout of the final batter to end the game.
"I just have to get up there, throw strikes and make sure I keep the ball low," said Dedrick. "It was very exciting but the only thing on my mind was to not let them get a swing on the ball."
Earlier in the third inning Auburn's Hunter Kelley hit a two-run homerun over the left field wall to gain the 2-1 lead and the Tigers never trailed again.
O'neal was all smiles after the victory, laughing and enjoying the win with his teammates.
"It's amazing. Perfect. I can't describe it. My adrenaline was so high in the ninth inning," said O'neal when asked how it felt to beat Alabama.
Auburn is now 16-11 on the season and 1-7 in the SEC. The Tigers play their third game against Alabama Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m.
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