March 5, 2008
Auburn, Ala. -
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Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Auburn baseball team scored three runs off of Davidson closer Mike Frongello to complete a two-game series sweep with an 8-7 win on Wednesday night at Plainsman Park.
Down 7-5 heading to the ninth, Justin Hargett (2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI) drew an eight-pitch leadoff walk to get Auburn's (6-4) rally started. Mike Bianucci (1-for-3, BB, SF) singled to put runners on first and second before Hunter Morris (0-for-4, BB) reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in runners on the corners. Joseph Sanders' (2-for-5, 2 R, RBI) single through the right side made it a one-run game at 7-6, bringing Kevin Patterson (0-for-3, 2 BB) to the plate.
"Everyone kept their head up throughout the game and battled all the way through," Sanders said. "I knew the pitcher was going to try and fill up the strike zone and keep it inside on me. I saw the first pitch and liked it."
With one down, Patterson's reached on a fielder's choice as Jamie Drinkard, pinch-running for Morris, raced home, putting pressure on the Davidson defense that resulted in a poor throw home and a tie game. Brian Fletcher (2-for-4, R, RBI) loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch before Tony Caldwell worked a walk for the game-winning RBI.
"We will take the win any way we can," Auburn Assistant Coach Bill Mosiello said. "Justin Hargett did a great job to get on base to lead off the inning and it's a credit to Tony to draw that walk at the end because he was very disciplined and laid off some tough pitches."
Auburn looked to be in control from the early going, putting up three runs on five hits in the first two innings. Davidson made it a one-run game with two in the top of the third before Auburn extended its lead to 4-2 with a run in the bottom half of the frame.
Davidson then struck for a five-run top of the fourth and allowed Auburn to score just once more, holding onto a 7-5 lead until the ninth.
Evan Crawford (1-0) worked a near-perfect final two innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced to earn his first win of the season.
Frongello (0-2) took the loss for Davidson, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in 1.2 innings.
The other two pieces to Auburn's bullpen were key to the team's success once again as Michael Hurst (2.0 IP) and Bradley Hendrix (1.0 IP) combined to strike out three while allowing just two hits combined.
Bianucci's ninth-inning single extended his hitting streak to 16 games.
Auburn continues its eight-game home stand on Thursday with the first of a four-game series against VMI at 6 PM. Auburn will send redshirt-freshman Grant Dayton (0-0) to the mound for his first collegiate start in the opener.