TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Auburn lost the series finale at Alabama, 10-9, Saturday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Tigers (14-18, 2-13 SEC) took a 9-8 lead on a slash hit-and-run RBI double from Tyler Miller in the eighth, but Alabama (22-13, 7-8 SEC) scored a run in the eighth and another in the ninth to win in walk-off fashion.
The game marked Auburn's 10th one-run game of conference play.
"It was very similar to the Thursday night game, just battled back and forth" head coach Butch Thompson said. "We both scored early. I'm looking at the middle of the game here where we continued to score a little bit. Then late in the game they kind of took over."
Auburn had back-to-back one out singles to put the go-ahead run in scoring position with one out in the ninth, but an inning-ending double play left the runner in scoring position stranded.
Alabama started the ninth with a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt moved the winning run in scoring position. Shortstop Jim Jarvis then hit a double to left center to end the contest.
The two teams went back-and-forth in the early stages. Auburn jumped out to a 5-2 lead after a four-run second inning, but Alabama answered with a run in the home half and two more in the third to tie the game.
Auburn broke a 5-5 tie on a two-out RBI single from Steven Williams followed by a two-run double from Brody Moore in the fourth. Williams drove in a pair in the game and nine during the week.
After Peyton Glavine entered in relief in the bottom of the fourth and retired the side in order, the Tigers threatened to tack on more with runners on the corners and nobody out in the top of the fifth. However, a strikeout and double play ended the threat without any damage.
Glavine matched a career high with 3.0 scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
Carson Skipper entered in relief of Glavine to start the seventh, and Alabama tied the game on a two-run home run from William Hamiter and a solo shot from Sam Praytor.
The Tigers responded as Miller executed the slash and split the gap in right center to score Bliss from first. However, Alabama had RBI doubles in the eighth and ninth to win the game.
Cam Hill and Judd Ward led the way with three hits apiece. Williams and Bryson Ware added multiple hits in the contest.
Auburn returns to Plainsman Park for five games next week, starting with a pair of games against Samford and Jacksonville State Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tigers fall in series finale in Tuscaloosa
