Blake Logan hit his first home run of the season on Tuesday. (Auburn Athletics Photo)
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Auburn continued its mastery in Montgomery, beating rival Alabama for the seventh time in eight years in the Max Capital City Classic.
Blake Logan's 3-run home run in the first inning set the tone in the Tigers' 10-1 win over the Crimson Tide Tuesday at Riverwalk Stadium.
"I said, `Let's just try to find a good pitch to hit,'" Logan said. "He threw me a breaking ball, and for some reason I was thinking he might do it again. He did, and I just ended up running into it and put one out."
It was Logan's first homer in more than two years. His parents and grandparents made the three-hour drive from Muscle Shoals to see Blake's blast.
Logan added a double, earning Most Valuable Player honors in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 7,307.
"It's nice. I'm just glad we won. Alabama's a big rivalry for us and the fans, so it means a lot to come out with the win," Logan said.
Max Capital City Classic MVP @theblakelogan on his 3-run 1st inning HR. pic.twitter.com/y1Y2HGtAkP
-- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) March 30, 2016
Anfernee Grier had three hits, including his SEC-leading seventh home run.
"I didn't think I really hit that ball that well," Grier said. "I guess I put a good swing on it. It carried out for me. I'll take it."
Like Logan, Grier grew up in Alabama (Phenix City), making the bragging rights extra special.
"It's always fun to beat Alabama," Grier said. "I was always growing up an Auburn fan; never really liked Alabama growing up, so anytime I get a chance to play against them, it's fun. And it's even better when you win."
3-for-5 with his @SEC leading 7th HR: @_agrier10 on beating in-state rival. pic.twitter.com/ppYjH0lq6v
-- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) March 30, 2016
The Tigers recaptured their slugging ways, pounding 15 hits, with six going for extra bases.
"We had everything set up at Arkansas," Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. "We had 31 hits in the three games. Left 38 guys on base. I'll continue to credit our whole staff for staying together. That's good offense, when you just stay after it. The guys were really focused and prepared for tonight. I'm proud of that.
"That's what I dreamed of. That I'd get to play in that rivalry. That's neat," Thompson said. "Both bands and Aubie. Great venue with a full crowd. I thought our offensive players stayed focused on their approach tonight. I think it gives all of us a feeling of what we can be, and what we can do with all three phrases working pretty good."
Here's @3strikes_AU after his first taste of The Rivalry as @Auburn_Baseball HC pic.twitter.com/KmllONA43o
-- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) March 30, 2016
Auburn scored in each of the first six innings.
Jordan Ebert drove in Joshua Palacios in the first, prior to Logan's 3-run shot.
Palacios' RBI grounder in the second made it 5-1. The Tigers added two more in the third with Cody Nulph and Kyler Deese driving in runs.
Grier's homer gave Auburn an 8-1 lead after four.
In the fifth, Damon Haecker delivered a run-scoring single to make it 9-1.
Daniel Robert's sixth-inning single plated Ebert, propelling Auburn to double digits.
Andrew Mitchell earned the win for Auburn, pitching six innings while allowing one run, striking out five.
Gordon Cardenas earned his second save, throwing three scoreless innings.
Auburn improved to 12-13. Alabama dropped to 15-9. The game did not count in the SEC standings.
The Tigers return to SEC action this weekend, hosting LSU Friday (6 p.m.), Saturday (3 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer