April 3, 2007
AUBURN, Ala. -
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The Auburn pitching trio of Austin Hubbard, Justin Bristow and Chris Dennis combined to strikeout 13 South Alabama hitters as the Auburn baseball team defeated South Alabama, 5-2, on Tuesday night at Plainsman Park.
"I was very pleased with how we pitched tonight," Auburn Head Coach Tom Slater said. "Austin really did a nice job of settling himself down after the first and Justin had some electric stuff tonight. Chris had a pretty solid ninth there too, so I was impressed with all three of them."
Hubbard, making the third start of his career, went a career-long 4.0 innings and struckout a career-high four to earn his first career victory for the Tigers. He allowed an unearned run in the first inning on a walk and an error before settling down over the next three innings, allowing a solo run in the fourth on three singles and a sacrifice bunt.
"I hadn't been out there in a couple of weeks and I wanted the ball and I just went out and tried to throw strikes and trust our defense," Hubbard said. "I was a little jittery at first but I slowed down and got into a rhythm and once you get in that rhythm it's hard to get out of it and it makes it much easier to pitch."
Bristow entered in the fourth and was nearly perfect for four innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out a career-high six in what was the longest relief outing of his career. Twice he sat the South Alabama hitters down one-two-three.
"I was hungry for the ball after not getting a chance to pitch last weekend [against Ole Miss]," Bristow said. "I just threw the ball in-and-out tonight and had success with it. My arm felt good and my body felt good and I was able to go out there and work."
Dennis earned his second save of the season with a perfect ninth, striking out the side by getting the first hitter to go down swinging while the next two went down looking.
Josh Donaldson provided most of the offense for Auburn, finishing with his fourth three-hit game of the season while driving in two. He also stole two bases, giving him 11 on the season.
Bruce Edwards was 2-for-3 with two walks from the leadoff spot, scoring one run and driving in another.
Sophomore Ryan Jenkins went 2-for-4.
Kevin Nabors (0-1) took the loss for South Alabama, allowing a run on here hits in 2.0 innings of relief of starter Chris LaGrow (2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 2 SO).
Auburn improved to 21-11 on the season while South Alabama now stands at 16-13.
The Tigers return to Southeastern Conference action this weekend in Baton Rouge, La., for a three-game set at LSU. Friday night's game is set for a 7pm CT first pitch while Saturday starts at 3pm and Sunday at 1pm