May 19, 2007
LEXINGTON, Ky. -
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Auburn allowed Kentucky to jump out to a five-run lead after two innings and had to play catch-up for the rest of the game but came up short in falling, 8-7, in the season finale at Kentucky on Saturday. Mike Bianucci finished the game 3-for-5 with a double and drove in three runs for Auburn, which finished the year 31-25 overall, 10-20 SEC.
"We showed a lot of resiliency out there," Auburn Head Coach Tom Slater said. "We never gave in, which epitomizes this team. We had the tying run out there in the ninth but just couldn't get him in."
Kentucky scored five runs (three earned) off of Auburn starter Bryan Woodall (2-3) before Austin Hubbard relieved him to start the third. Hubbard, making just his third SEC appearance, went 2.2 innings and allowed three runs on five hits.
Brett Butts threw 3.1 innings of scoreless relief to keep Auburn in the game, limiting Kentucky to just three hits and a walk.
Down two going into the ninth and with one down already, Bruce Edwards (2-for-5, 2 R) singled to lead off the inning. A Luke Greinke (0-for-3, 2 BB, R) walk put two on before a passed ball allowed Edwards to reach third. Josh Donaldson reached on a fielder's choice that scored Edwards to make it a one-run game but Donaldson wound up stranded on second to finish the game.
Donaldson finished the game 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.
Kentucky finished the year 34-19-1, 13-16-1 SEC to finish ninth in the conference race, a half-game behind Tennessee for the final spot in next week's SEC Tournament.
Robert Brooks (2-for-4, 2 RBI) led off the sixth with his second home run of the season.
James Paxton (2-0) earned the win in relief for UK.
Aaron Lovett earned his seventh save by getting the final two outs.