AUBURN, Ala. – No. 8 Auburn lost the series finale to UCF, 12-2, Sunday afternoon at Plainsman Park.
The Tigers (5-3) fell behind after UCF (7-1) put up five runs in the third and couldn't make up the deficit.
"I know we have a quality ball club, and I know we have good coaches that are going to get them in a good place," head coach Butch Thompson said. "I'll try to find the silver lining in this for this to happen the second weekend and try to find the good out of it. It's a long season. I won't blink. I'll ask people who care about the program not to blink, either. We'll keep working and see if in some way, shape, form or fashion this makes us a better ball club. We'll try to use it for good to make this the best ball club we possibly can be."
Brody Moore matched a career high with three hits, while Judd Ward drove in both of the team's runs.
After UCF used a pair of two-run home runs to spark a five-run third inning, Auburn got on the scoreboard as Moore doubled to start the home half and scored on a RBI single from Ward. However, the Knights scored six runs between the fifth and seventh innings and tacked on a run in the ninth.
Moore singled again to load the bases in the ninth, and Ward lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to score Garrett Farquhar.
Bailey Horn (1-1, 5.68) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Six relief pitchers took the mound behind the southpaw and allowed the final eight runs to score on 11 hits.
The Tigers struck out 12 batters in the game, marking the eighth straight game with 10 or more strikeouts to start the season.
Auburn continues its 23 straight home games to start the season with a pair of midweek contests vs. Alabama A&M Tuesday and Wednesday.