April 19, 2006
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -
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Josh Donaldson blasted his fifth home run of the year for the Tigers but Troy rallied from a three-run deficit as the No. 29 Trojans defeated Auburn, 7-6, on Wednesday night at Riverwalk Stadium.
"We had lots of opportunities to score tonight but we left way too many men on base," AU Head Coach Tom Slater said. "We created some opportunities but didn't capitalize on them when we needed to."
After falling behind 2-0 as Troy scored single runs in the top of the first and second on a fielder's choice and single, respectively, the Tigers put up five runs on two hits a walk, an error and a hit batsman in the bottom of the third. The big hit of the inning came off the bat of Donaldson (1-for-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI), who smashed a no-out, three-run home run over the walkway that surrounds the field in left.
Troy then got to within a run at 5-4 with two runs on the top of the fourth and took the lead with two runs in the top of the fifth before tacking on what would prove to be the difference maker with a sacrifice fly in the seventh to make it 7-5.
Auburn got it to within a run at 7-6 as Russell Dixon (2-for-4, R) singled home Donaldson from third but Troy reliever Mike Felix induced a double play to end the Tiger threat.
Jeff Boutwell finished the game 1-for-4 with two RBIs for the Tigers.
Paul Burnside fell to 2-1 on the year as he allowed two runs on three hits in an inning of work.
Bert Elliott (1-0) picked up his first win of the season as he did not allow a run in 1.1 innings of relief work.
Felix earned his third save of the season.
The loss dropped the Tigers to 18-22 on the season while Troy, who took the series from AU, 2-1, is now 29-10.
The Tigers remain on the road for a three-game set at SEC East opponent Florida this weekend. Friday's game is set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. CT while Saturday's game will start at 3 p.m. and Sunday's at noon.