April 6, 2012
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 23 Auburn baseball team rapped out 16 hits but allowed 10 runs on eight hits, five walks and two hits batters in a 10-6 series-opening loss at Alabama. The loss dropped Auburn's record to 17-12, 6-4 SEC.
"We didn't execute. We had some opportunities where we had a 1-2 count and we tried to throw the slider and the ball just ran back over the plate for a mistake and they took advantage of it," Auburn Head Coach John Pawlowski said.
Derek Varnadore (1-4) was tagged for seven runs in five innings, surrendering single runs in the first and second innings and then a five-run third as Alabama (11-19, 2-8 SEC) jumped out to a 7-2 lead. All five of Alabama's runs in the fifth came with two outs in the inning, with Kenny Roberts topping the scoring off with a grand slam to left.
Auburn wouldn't go down easily, responding with a run in the fourth and then three in the fifth. Garrett Cooper hit a two-run home run and Justin Bryant hit a solo shot as Auburn reduced the deficit to just a run, 7-6, after five.
The game stayed that way until the eighth when Auburn couldn't capitalize on runners on the corners with one out, grounding into an inning-ending double play in the top half, and then surrendering a bases loaded, bases clearing triple to Taylor Dugas in the bottom half.
Taylor Guilbeau (3-2) earned the win out of the Alabama bullpen, throwing four innings and allowing five hits and a walk but just one run.
Ryan Tella had a career night in the loss for Auburn, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs.
Auburn will try to even the series at 3pm on Saturday in a game that will air live on CSS. Will Kendall (4-0) gets the start on the mound for Auburn while Alabama will start Justin Kamplain (1-2).
Alabama 10, Auburn 6 (Apr 06, 2012 at Tuscaloosa, AL)
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Auburn.............. 101 130 000 - 6 16 0 (17-12, 6-4 SEC)
Alabama............. 115 000 030 - 10 8 1 (11-19, 2-8 SEC)
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Win-Taylor Guilbeau(3-2) Loss-Derek Varnadore(1-4) T-2:38 A-5258
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