AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn scored four runs to storm back from a three-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning but ultimately fell to Alabama, 7-6, Saturday night at Plainsman Park.
Trailing 5-2 with two outs in the eighth, Will Holland drew the Tigers (28-18, 11-12 SEC) to within a run on a two-RBI single to right center before Judd Ward gave the team the lead on a two-RBI double down the right-field line.
However, Alabama (27-20, 6-17 SEC) scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to reclaim the lead before retiring the side in order to end the game.
"It was just wasn't enough tonight," head coach Butch Thompson said on the Auburn Sports Network. "But the guys battled, and you have to understand we have a big series to try to finish off tomorrow. We battled all the way back and will have to try to keep them energized and play with a lot of enthusiasm tomorrow."
Both closers factored into the decision as Cody Greenhill (1-2, 3.38) suffered the loss while Jeremy Randolph (2-2) picked up the win. Alabama's Deacon Medders earned the save.
Holland led the offense as he went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and RBI. Ward, Ryan Bliss and Conor Davis also contributed a pair of hits apiece as the quartet accounted for nine of the team's 10 hits.
Alabama scored in each of the first two innings to take a 2-0 lead. The Crimson Tide scored the first run on a bases-loaded walk and added another on a fielder's choice the next frame but stranded five runners in the first two at-bats.
Auburn cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third. Holland led off the inning with a double and came around to score as Ward dropped a sacrifice bunt down the third-base line and the throw to first sailed past the first baseman.
The Crimson Tide added to its advantage with two runs on a RBI double and RBI groundout in the fifth before tacking on another with a RBI single in the sixth to make it a 5-1 ballgame.
However, the Tigers answered in the home half when Bliss stole two bases on one play and came in to score on a RBI single from Davis.
Auburn threatened to cut into Alabama's 5-2 advantage in the bottom of the seventh as three straight two-out singles loaded the bases, but a groundball to second ended the inning.
The two teams finish off the series Sunday at 3 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.