Feb. 22, 2017
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AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Daniel Robert homered and Bo Decker had three RBI as Auburn baseball overcame a 7-0 deficit to defeat Florida A&M 12-8 Wednesday at Plainsman Park.
It was Auburn's largest come-from-behind win since May 7, 2013 against Jacksonville State. The Tigers trailed JSU 8-0 in that contest before ultimately winning 12-8.
"So much credit to Florida A&M. They came out swinging the bat," Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. "They stayed after us with two strikes, getting fastballs to hit. I can't wait to see some of these pitches to see their location. It's not always what you throw but where you throw it. I thought we had some character revealed in my ball club tonight. When you go down six, eventually go down seven, for our guys to stay with it, I kind of tip my hat."
Auburn (4-1) trailed 7-0 after four-and-a-half before starting the rally with a six-run fifth inning. Blake Logan and Jay Estes both hit sacrifice flies in the big frame. Josh Anthony had a RBI single, Jonah Todd plated a run on a bases-loaded HBP and Decker followed with a RBI single of his own. Dylan Ingram scored on an error to cap the inning as Auburn closed to within two.
After FAMU scratched a run across in the top of the sixth, Daniel Robert's 2-run home run tied the game at 8-8 in the bottom half.
Todd's RBI single in the eighth put Auburn on top and was the first of four runs scored in the inning including Anthony scoring on a balk and a two-run single by Decker for the 12-8 lead.
Decker had three hits for the second-straight game and drove in three runs.
"I just went up there with the approach to look the other way and hit the other way, and I just swung the bat, got the bat on it and got a hit," Decker said. "It was good to see how our team come back, and no matter how much we're down we've still got fight in us."
Five Auburn position starters had at least two hits and all reached base. The Tigers rapped out a season-high 15 hits.
Cole Lipscomb (1-0) earned the win with 1.1 innings pitched. The Auburn bullpen surrendered only one earned run over the final seven innings with five pitchers getting action on the hill in that stretch.
Florida A&M dropped to 2-2 on the season. Thomas Nicoll (0-1) was charged with the loss.
Willis McDaniel (3-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI) and Brian Davis (three RBI) led the Rattlers.
Auburn opens a three-game series with Holy Cross at 2 pm Friday at Plainsman Park.