COLLEGE STATION, Texas – No. 19 Auburn dropped the decisive game three against No. 12 Texas A&M, 4-1, Sunday afternoon at Blue Bell Park.
After both sides turned in a pair of perfect innings on the mound to start off the game, the Tigers (24-12, 8-7 SEC) were the first to score in the top of the third. However, a four-run fourth inning was all Texas A&M (27-10-1, 9-5-1 SEC) would need.
"To give up eight runs in a three-game series, I think our pitchers responded well," head coach Butch Thompson said on the Auburn Sports Network. "I at least see us moving in a direction of progress. It's positive coming out of here. We need to keep trying to figure out how to link it up and play well."
Auburn jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a RBI single from Will Holland in the third.
However, Texas A&M took its first lead since Friday with a four-run fourth. Three straight singles started the inning and tied the game, and a three-run home run gave the Aggies the advantage.
Right-hander Richard Fitts (2-2, 5.33) suffered the loss on the mound. The freshman tossed 3.0 scoreless innings before allowing the first three batters of the fourth to reach and exited the game with the score tied, 1-1. Aggies right fielder Logan Foster swung on the first pitcher offered from Elliott Anderson and sent it over the wall in right field.
Anderson pitched a career-high 4.2 innings and made just the one mistake to Foster. He struck out five and faced four over the minimum with one batter reaching on an error.
Texas A&M took a pair of hits away from Auburn with a fine defensive play in the third and another in the seventh to squander any more scoring opportunities.
Holland collected two hits in the contest to pace the Auburn offense. The Tigers managed six hits in the game, but the last eight batters of the game were set down in order.
Auburn continues its schedule with a midweek contest at No. 22 Georgia Tech (23-12, 10-7 ACC). First pitch in Atlanta is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.