May 7, 2017
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AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" No. 4 Auburn baseball came up just short 11-9 to Alabama in a marathon 15-inning, six-hour and 36-minute game Sunday at Plainsman Park.
"I told the guys that you need to stay together and keep working hard for us," Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. "I've never asked more than their best and for them to compete their hearts out. Everything will go to the head coach, and these players stay with Coach Sisson and Coach Bohannon, keep working hard and keep grinding. We've done too much and have too much to play for, so just keep working as hard as they can for the program and for the future that we have here before us. Let me take responsibility and let's bounce back quick."
Alabama (18-29, 5-19) took an 11-9 lead in top of the 15th on a RBI single by Sam Finnerty and a sac fly from Connor Short. Auburn put two on with nobody out in the bottom half, but could not get them home as the game ended at 10:38 pm CT after a 4:02 pm CT first pitch.
After the Crimson Tide scored a run in the top of the 10th, Auburn answered with a RBI single in the bottom half by pinch hitter Daniel Robert to tie the game at six. Alabama's Chandler Taylor hit his third home run of the season in the 11th inning to give Alabama a 7-6 lead. Auburn tied the game on a RBI ground out by Jeremy Johnson in the bottom half.
Alabama scored two in the top of the 13th, but Auburn answered once again with two in the bottom half on an error and a sac fly by Jeremy Johnson.
The Tigers (32-17, 14-10) wasted no time getting on the board as they loaded the bases with two outs in the first using three walks and a single from Conor Davis. Davis' single gave him a hit in 16 consecutive starts. Damon Haecker drew a bases-loaded walk to force home a run and give Auburn an early 1-0 lead.
Jay Estes ripped his team-best 15th double high off the wall in left in the second inning to extend Auburn's lead to 2-0. Estes had three hits including two doubles with two RBI. He tied the Auburn record with nine at-bats.
Alabama (18-29, 4-20) took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a two-run home run by Hunter Alexander and a run-scoring double from Connor Short.
Davis Daniel allowed three runs in four innings with five strikeouts. Auburn used a season-high nine pitchers in the game. Ryan Watson (1-1) allowed two runs in 1.1 innings and was charged with the loss.
In the fifth inning, Auburn tied the game on a single off the wall by Dylan Ingram that scored Jay Estes. Estes later drove in a run in the sixth to give Auburn a 4-3 lead.
Ingram added three hits with three walks. Josh Anthony, Johnson and Holland each had two hits.
Alabama scored two in the seventh taking advantage of a bizarre infield single and an error to take the 5-4 lead. Auburn's Anthony made a heads-up play in the bottom of the seventh to score and tie the game at five while Alabama argued a play at first base.
Taylor had four hits for Alabama. Cobie Vance and Finnerty added three.
Nick Eicholtz allowed four runs in 5.2 innings. Sonny Potter (1-1) got one out an earned the win. Garrett Suchey pitched the final three outs for his third save.
Auburn is in action next on Tuesday when it travels to face UAB at Regions Field.