In the second game of a double header in Nashville, Tennessee, the Vanderbilt Commodores (40-15, 17-12) gave the Tigers more than they could handle in a 9-3 rout. A combination of five Auburn pitchers gave up nine runs to the No. 9 Commodores.
“They have good arms. We knew we needed to neutralize their two and three-hole hitters,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. “When we did, we had success. When we didn’t, that hurt us especially in game two. That was the difference in the ball game.”
The scoring started early for Vanderbilt, as outfielder Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run home run to left-center field off of Auburn starting pitcher Cole Lipscomb, recording his 12th home run of the season. Later in that inning Liam Sabino had an RBI single to extend the Commodore lead to 3-0. Vanderbilt extended their lead further in the fifth inning when Reynolds recorded another RBI.
It looked as if Auburn (23-32,8-21) could make it competitive in the sixth inning when first baseman Niko Buentello hit a three-run home run to deep right centerfield to come within one run of Vanderbilt. It was not enough. Vanderbilt continued to stretch out their lead with a two-run bomb from Jeren Kendall in the sixth, and RBIs from Will Toffey and Karl Ellison in the seventh inning that gave the Commodores a 9-3 lead.
“I commend Gabe Klobosits,” said Thompson. “I thought he threw great coming in so early. Tavo Rodriguez, being injured and coming back, he really threw great and all his velocity is back.”
The double header was played on Thursday because of a threat of inclement weather in the Nashville area Friday. Auburn and Vanderbilt will face off again on Saturday at 2 p.m. CST on the SEC Network+.
The Tigers will look to take the final game of the series and the regular season before the SEC Tournament next week. If the tournament started today, Auburn would be the 12 seed, and face off against No. 5 Ole Miss on Tuesday evening in Hoover, Alabama.
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