AUBURN, Ala. – No. 15 Auburn couldn't hold an early advantage as the Tigers fell to Georgia Tech, 9-3, Tuesday night at Plainsman Park.
The loss snapped Auburn's 14-game home winning streak, which was tied for the third longest home winning streak in program history.
"When the game got to a competitive moment, either us hitting or especially us on the mound, we could not make a pitch when the game was on the line," "We made some good pitches, and we got 11 hits and hit the ball hard for a majority of the night, but when it was a competitive moment, we either helped them offensively – they got one big hit with the bases loaded – (or) we swung and missed in competitive moments in the ballgame."
The Tigers (22-7) jumped out to a 3-0 lead on a trio of RBI singles from Will Holland, Matt Scheffler and Kason Howell in the bottom of the second inning.
However, after having two runners thrown out at the plate in the first three innings, Georgia Tech (20-9) chipped away at the lead with a run in the third and took the lead for good with a four-run fourth. The Tigers walked three batters, hit another and threw two wild pitches in the inning.
Blake Schilleci took the mound to start the fifth inning and retired the first nine batters he faced, Georgia Tech was able to get to the senior left-hander and ultimately cap off the scoring in the game with four more runs in the frame with the big blow coming on a two-RBI double from Tristin English.
The appearance marked the second of the season for Schilleci, who pitched a career-high 3.2 innings and struck out a career-best four batters.
Kyle Gray (1-3, 7.15) suffered the loss in relief, while Jonathan Hughes (3-2, 3.22) earned the win for the Yellow Jackets.
Offensively, Auburn totaled 11 hits and had four players with two hits apiece, including Steven Williams, Conor Davis, Ryan Bliss and Matt Scheffler.
Auburn returns to action with a three-game series against Arkansas (22-6, 6-3 SEC) beginning Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.