May 10, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Auburn rallied from a four-run deficit to force extra-innings but a two-out flair RBI single down the right field line in the 10th inning by Phillip Ervin sent Auburn to a 9-8 loss at Samford on Tuesday night. The loss dropped Auburn's record to 25-23 while Samford, which won both games from Auburn this season, is now 30-19.
"I thought the effort we had today was good," Auburn Head Coach John Pawlowski said. "I was pleased with how our team responded especially being down four runs at one point. We battled back in the ballgame it's just some tough luck there in the last inning."
Ethan Wallen (4-5) took the loss for Auburn as he allowed the 10th-inning single after Tyler Filliben struck out but reached on a wild pitch with one down in the inning. A hard groundout up the middle by Brad Moss allowed Auburn to get the second out of the inning but the ball was too deep on the infield to try for a double play. That brought Saxon Butler to the plate, which Auburn chose to intentionally walk for the second time on the night as he was 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs, bringing Ervin to the plate.
Andrew Jones (1-3) got the win, shutting out Auburn over the final two innings after Auburn rallied from an 8-4 deficit after the sixth to tie it at 8-8 in the eighth.
Cullen Wacker (2-for-5) doubled and homered for Auburn, driving in two runs as the team collected 13 hits on the night, six of which went for extra-bases.
Justin Fradejas (3-for-5, 3 RBI) and Tony Caldwell (3-for-5, RBI) each had two extra-base hits as each doubled and tripled on the night.
Ervin finished the night 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
Jay Wade threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to help force the extra innings, entering in the sixth with one out and a man on first. He retired the first six hitters he faced and left allowing just a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Auburn returns home on Wednesday for a 6pm game against Alabama State. The night is Fan Appreciation Night and admission is free.
Fans coming to Wednesday's game as well as those this weekend need to note that Donahue Dr. from War Eagle Way to Heisman Drive is closed due to road construction.
Samford 9, Auburn 8 (May 10, 2011 at Birmingham, AL)
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Auburn.............. 021 001 310 0 - 8 13 1 (25-23)
Samford............. 202 301 000 1 - 9 11 0 (30-19)
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Win-Andrew Jones(1-3) Loss-Ethan Wallen(4-5) T-3:02 A-1675
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