Auburn's pitching falters in series finale loss to Alabama
Despite three-hit performances from Cam Hill and Judd Ward, Auburn's pitching allowed the Crimson Tide to clinch a series victory as the Tigers fell 10-9 in Saturday's finale.
Despite three-hit performances from Cam Hill and Judd Ward, Auburn's pitching allowed the Crimson Tide to clinch a series victory as the Tigers fell 10-9 in Saturday's finale.
Backed by quality pitching, Auburn picked up a 5-4 win over Alabama Friday in Tuscaloosa. "Jack just did a great job and gave Swilling a short rope, something that he could finish," said head coach Butch Thompson. "It was nice to only use two guys tonight and we have an opportunity to come out and win a series tomorrow."
Despite recovering from a three-run deficit twice, Auburn lost 8-7 in 10 innings against Alabama on Thursday. The loss was Auburn’s seventh by a one-score margin in 13 SEC games this season.
“These games are big,” Thompson said. “Every time you wake up, you have something to play for. Now is the time. It’s not waiting another week or two. We understand that. Our players understand that we have to play better, our backs are against the wall."
Auburn ended a five-game skid with a 7-3 win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta. "Much-needed win for us," head coach Butch Thompson said.
Auburn dropped the final game of their three-game series against Mississippi State 19-10 on Sunday. “I think they got a message loud and clear that things have to improve," Thompson said.
Auburn dropped the second game of its three-game series against Mississippi State on Saturday, losing 7-2. “Jack was great last week," said head coach Butch Thompson. “I thought both days here we just threw a couple of bad pitches, and they hit them and launched them.”
“Another tough, tough game where we battled to the end," said head coach Butch Thompson. "We came from behind and tied the ballgame, and then pretty unfortunate how we wound up giving up the winning run to Mississippi State tonight.”
The last time Auburn and Mississippi State met on the baseball diamond was in Omaha, Nebraska, in the 2019 College World Series. “I don’t think we’re looking for revenge. We’re looking to play a great series,” Thompson said.
After taking a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, Auburn conceded five runs in the final four innings before losing the game on a walk-off in the 10th.
Auburn lost 6-5 to No. 1 Arkansas on Friday after leading 4-0 through the first six innings. “I tip my hat to Arkansas,” said Auburn head coach Butch Thompson. “To beat the No. 1 team, you have to play a complete game, and they got us there in the seventh inning.”
Facing the No. 1 team in the country in Arkansas, Cody Greenhill turned in a three-hit outing over seven innings on the mound for Auburn in a 2-1 victory. “It is big time,” Greenhill said. “The offense stepped up. The defense played out of their mind. Brody Moore made great plays, all around. It was definitely a team win.”
“We feel the most confident about our pitching then we have the last couple of weeks,” Thompson said. “With all the pieces finally we’re allowed to get everybody back in a situation where they’ve had success in the past.”
Auburn dropped both games of its doubleheader against Kentucky on Saturday and was swept for the second straight weekend. “I know it’s tough, but we’re going to be okay,” Thompson said. “I think this is going to be a real test of the character of our program."
Auburn faced Kentucky on Friday evening in the Tigers' first home series of SEC play. After facing an hour-long rain delay in the fifth inning, Kentucky rained on Auburn’s parade in an extra-inning affair, winning 8-6.
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Auburn’s Tuesday night game against South Alabama has been postponed due to inclement weather. The Tigers and South Alabama will work with the Montgomery Biscuits in establishing a reschedule date.
“I kind of told (the team) it’s probably time to adjust some things and to look at some things we’re doing,” said head coach Butch Thompson. “I’m in for whatever type of changes we need to make. I’m going to hang in there with them.”
It was a busy Saturday for Auburn athletics as soccer traveled to take on Louisville, softball hosted a doubleheader, and baseball continued to battle against Ole Miss in the first conference series of the season. Here's a recap of all the action from Saturday.
Ole Miss' Gunnar Hoglund and Auburn's Cody Greenhill both pitched gems on Friday, but an eighth inning home run sealed Auburn's fate in a 1-0 loss.