April 10, 2018
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - No. 21 Auburn fell behind early and couldn't dig itself out of a hole as the Tigers fell at Samford, 12-3, Tuesday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
After Samford scored a run in the first inning and three more in the second, Auburn cut the Bulldogs' lead in half with two runs in the top of the third but couldn't get any closer.
The Tigers fell to 23-11 overall on the season, while Samford improved to 20-14. Freshman left-hander Jack Owen (1-2, 8.83) suffered the loss, and Bulldog right-hander Wyatt Burns (3-1, 1.16) earned the win on the mound.
"Samford played well in all three phases," head coach Butch Thompson said. "I think it's less about who we're playing right now. It's more about ourselves. They swung the bats, and that was the most concerning for me. I felt like we were at first and second for most of the night but never could get that next hit."
Samford jumped out to an early lead with a run in the opening frame and scored three more in the next at-bat on a solo home run and two-RBI single off Owen.
After Calvin Coker entered the game with two on and nobody out in the bottom of the second inning and minimized the damage, Auburn got on the scoreboard on a bases-loaded, two-RBI single through the left side from Will Holland. However, the Tigers left the bases loaded in the frame and ultimately stranded 12 runners in the game.
Samford got a run back on a RBI fielder's choice in the bottom of the third and extended its lead to 8-2 with three runs on a solo home run and a pair of RBI knocks in its next at-bat.
Holland came back around to hit a solo home run in his next at-bat and make it an 8-3 ballgame. The home runs was Holland's sixth of the season, already doubling his total from a year ago.
After Elliott Anderson worked a three-up, three-down bottom of the fifth, Samford scored in the sixth through eighth innings to ultimately make the final score, 12-3.
Holland matched a career high with three hits to go along with a season-high-matching three RBI in the game. Judd Ward pitched in his second multi-hit game of his young career and scored a run.
Auburn returns to Plainsman Park for a three-game series against Mississippi State (17-16, 4-8 SEC). Friday's series opener is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT followed by game two Saturday at 2 p.m. and the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.