Five hitless innings were in the book before Auburn (26-16, 8-11 SEC) pushed two runs across in the sixth inning, and Damon Haecker sealed the win with a home run in the ninth to defeat Florida A&M 3-2 Tuesday, April 21, at Plainsman Park.
“We didn't have a lot of energy in the dugout, and I guess that is coming off the emotions of last weekend,” said coach Sunny Golloway. “To be the program that we want to be, and be the team that we want to be, and to go in the direction that we want to go, we got to play well. We got to get some wins in the SEC.”
Second baseman Melvin Gray got things started at the plate for Auburn with a leadoff single up the middle to give the Tigers their first hit of the game in the fourth inning, but was later thrown out after sophomore Anfernee Grier hit into a double play to end the inning.
A bunt down the third base line from pinch-hitter Jackson Burgreen loaded the bases for the Tigers in the bottom of the sixth before back-to-back sac flies from Gray and Grier gave Auburn their first lead of the game.
The Rattlers (14-22, 10-8 MEAC) tied things up in the top of the eighth.
Florida A&M first baseman Michael Birdsong hit an RBI single to center field that brought in a run and put the Rattlers within one before Auburn relieved Robby Clements with senior right-hander Jacob Milliman in the eighth inning.
Soon after Milliman loaded the bases by walking the first batter he faced, A&M’s Taylor Strauss hit an RBI-single to tie the score at 2-2.
A leadoff home run on the first pitch of the ninth inning by Haecker gave the Tigers the 3-2 lead before Justin Camp entered the game and closed things out for the Tigers.
Haecker’s home run was the sophomore’s first this season.
Burgreen’s bunt tied the Tigers for the SEC lead in bunt singles.
Florida A&M outhit Auburn 11-4.
Auburn will host Georgia in a three-game SEC series Thursday, April 23- Saturday, April 25, at Plainsman Park. Cole Lipscomb is set to take the mound Thursday followed by Rocky McCord Friday and Keegan Thompson Saturday.
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