March 6, 2007
AUBURN -
Auburn-Davidson Box Score
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Auburn (14-2) scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning to erase a second two-run deficit and the Tigers' pitching made the lead stand up in a 10-4 win over Davidson (8-2) Tuesday night at Plainsman Park.
After the offense provided them an 8-4 lead, Tiger pitchers surrendered just four hits and no runs over the final seven innings.
"I thought we did a nice job (pitching)," Auburn head coach Tom Slater said. "Taylor (Thompson) had eight punches in four innings. What I was proud about with Taylor, once he got to the end of his pitch count, he was actually getting stronger."
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the third, Auburn sent 11 hitters to the plate and scored six runs on four hits. Luke Greinke (1-for-3, R, RBI) opened the frame with a single to left field and advanced to second when Josh Donaldson (2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI) was hit by a pitch. After Mike Bianucci (0-for-5) flied out, a walk issued to Robert Brooks (2-for-4, R) loaded the bases for Andy Bennett (1-for-3, R, 3 RBI), who promptly roped a double to left, clearing the bases.
"Andy has been working really hard and it was good to see him hit a line drive there," Slater said. "He's a good line drive hitter and when he takes that approach, he usually has success."
Ross Smith (1-for-5, R) then reached on a bunt single before Dustin Spruill (1-for-3, R, 2 RBI) doubled to right field, plating both Bennett and Smith. Spruill advanced to third on an attempt to get Smith at the plate and scored when Eric Skinner (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI) grounded out to second base. Bruce Edwards (1-for-4, R) was hit by a pitch and Greinke walked before Donaldson flied out to end the inning.
"Those six runs really helped me out with my mindset," Thompson said. "All I had to do was go out there and throw and get outs."
Auburn added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to create the final margin. In the fifth, Greinke plated Skinner on a ground out to second after Skinner doubled to reach base and advanced on an Edwards fly out to right.
In the seventh, Skinner doubled again and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a double from Donaldson.
The Tigers found themselves trailing after each of Davidson's first two at-bats. The Wildcats pushed two runs across in the opening frame on a Gregory Zage double that scored Matt Webb and Rob Wilson, who both singled to reach base.
Auburn scored two runs in the bottom of the first when Donaldson belted his seventh home run of the season over the left field wall. Edwards had singled to lead off the inning and scored on the blast.
Davidson then answered in the top of the second when Alden Crissey singled up the middle, scoring Tommy Piacenza, who had walked, and Zach Kayne, who had singled earlier in the inning.
Thompson (2-0) took the win for Auburn in a designated start, throwing 4.0 innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits while striking out eight. After surrendering four runs in the first two innings, Thompson settled down and allowed only one hit in his last two innings of work.
Brett Butts came on in relief and allowed only three hits in three innings of work while striking out two. Austin Hubbard pitched the eighth and ninth innings, striking out three and walking one.
Matt Knight (2-1) was saddled with the loss for Davidson after allowing eight earned runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings.
Auburn entertains Purdue in a three game this weekend. First pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m. CT, while Saturday's contest will start at 2 p.m. The series finale will start at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Game Notes: Josh Donaldson's two-run home run in the first inning gave him a home run in each of his last three games ... Donaldson was also the last Tiger to accomplish this feat when he did it over three games from April 23-28, 2006 .. Donaldson added a double in the seventh to give him his eighth two-hit game of the year, which ties him with Mike Bianucci for the team lead in that category ...AU head coach Tom Slater has now won five straight over Davidson coach Dick Cooke, who he coached against when he was at VMI ... Auburn now has a 50-9 all-time record over Southern Conference teams.