Auburn baseball upset No. 11 ranked Arkansas in the first game of its home series finale Thursday, May 16, defeating the Razorbacks 3-0 after strong pitching from starter Conner Kendrick.
Earlier this week Garrett Cooper called the Arkansas series the biggest of his life. The Tiger first baseman came through as the senior hit a two-run RBI single through the left side to give Auburn an early 2-0 lead in the third.
"You couldn't ask for a better situation, with a man on second and third," Cooper said. "To come up with a two-out hit was big for us."
In 7 2/3 innings Kendrick shut down Arkansas, striking out eight and allowing only four hits. After allowing his only walk of the game, Kendrick was relieved by ace closer Terrance Dedrick.
"I thought it was his best off-speed stuff he's had all year," head coach John Pawlowski said. "He commanded his fast ball, threw three pitches for strikes deep in the game and just had a ton of confidence tonight. I thought his change-up was outstanding."
Dedrick finished the game for the Tigers with one hit and one walk to earn his ninth save of the season.
Having already secured a spot in the SEC Tournament, Auburn has the chance to finish as high as sixth or as low as 12th in the conference depending on the series against Arkansas.
"It's huge," Cooper said. "We have to win this series no matter what. To move on, this is the biggest series of the year. Come out tomorrow and win."
Auburn can possibly win the series in game two on Friday, May 17 at 6 p.m. in Plainsman Park.
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