March 19, 2014
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By Phillip Marshall
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Freshman catcher Blake Logan had driven in six runs this season going into Wednesday's game at Plainsman Park. He matched that number in four innings against Coppin State.
Logan, spelling usual starter Blake Austin behind the plate, hit a three-run home run, the first of his Auburn career, in the second inning. He drove home two runs with a single in the third inning and another with a sacrifice fly in the fourth as Auburn romped to a 12-2 victory, sweeping its two-game series with Coppin State and outscoring the Eagles 22-2 to improve to 15-7 for the season.
Auburn goes on the road for its second Southeastern Conference series, visiting No. 14 Tennessee (18-2) starting Friday.
Every available Auburn position player got into the game. Junior pitcher Rocky McCord got his first career at-bat and slapped a single up the middle. He played second base and had an assist.
First-year coach Sunny Golloway acknowledged that the Eagles were overmatched, but he said the two games were good for his team. Wednesday, the Tigers used seven pitchers and 16 position players/hitters.
"When you are grinding it every day, it can really wear you down," Golloway said. "Sometimes it's good for the guys to be able to come out and smile and relax and have some fun in the dugout. ââ'¬¦ There is a lot of pressure on these young men. For us to come out and show the intensity to take control of the game, and then relax and play our depth helps our team chemistry."
Coppin State had taken a 1-0 lead off starter Kevin Davis when Logan came to bat with nobody out in the second. Austin was on first and Ryan Tella was on third. Logan cranked a pitch from soft-tossing left-hander Dillon O'Brien over the tall fence in left field.
"I fouled the first one off down the line," Logan said. "I was telling myself I needed to stay back. I still might have been a touch out front, but I put a good enough swing on it. I was just trying to life one in the outfield. It just so happened to get over that wall."
Jay Wade, the second Auburn pitcher, got the win after pitching two shutout innings and giving up two hits. His record improved to 3-0.
Damon Haecker had three of Auburn's 17 hits, including a triple. Tella, Austin, Logan and J.J. Shaffer had two hits apiece. Six other Tigers had one hit each.
Phillip Marshall is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow Marshall on Twitter: