TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 5 Auburn struck first but mustered only three hits while No. 22 Alabama belted three home runs to defeat the Tigers 11-1 in eight innings Friday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
“We’ve got to drive the ball some in conference play and we just haven’t,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “We’re going to have play offense on road. We’re in the middle of a series and we’ve got to figure out how to get one, hopefully as early as tomorrow.”
Auburn scored in the top of the first when Bristol Carter led off with a walk, stole second and came home on Eric Guevara’s double for a 1-0 lead.
Alabama answered in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on an error and taking a 2-1 lead on Luke Vaughn’s two-run homer for a pair of pair unearned runs off Auburn starter Jake Marciano.
With a strong wind blowing to right, Bryce Fowler led off the bottom of the fifth with a line drive over the wall in right to put Alabama ahead 3-1.
One week after throwing a no-hitter, Alabama starter Tyler Fay (5-2) earned the victory, allowing one hit before exiting after five innings with a 3-1 lead.
Vaughn struck again in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out RBI double that ended Marciano’s night, giving Alabama a 4-1 lead.
Jett Johnston relieved Marciano, striking out Brennan Holt to end the inning, stranding Vaughn at second.
Lucas Steele led off the top of the seventh with a four-pitch walk but Alabama reliever Matthew Heiberger got a fielder’s choice and a double play grounder to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard for a sixth consecutive inning.
Auburn put the leadoff man on base five times in eight innings but cashed in only once, going 2-for-19 with runners on base and 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position while committing two errors.
Alabama (20-7, 4-3 SEC) broke open the game with four runs in the bottom of the seventh, chasing Johnston with a leadoff single, a double and Jason Torres’ one-out single to right for a 6-1 lead.
Justice de Jong took over for Johnston, surrendering a two-run home run to John Lemm, Alabama’s third homer of the game.
Trailing 8-1 in the eighth, Carter led off with a walk and Auburn put runners on the corners with one out after Chase Fralick’s second hit came within inches of leaving the park, but Alabama’s Sam Mitchell ended the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.
“I got some pitches in some good spots and was able to put some good swings on it tonight,” said Fralick, who had two of Auburn’s three hits and raised his average to .354.
“This one stings but we’re playing Alabama and we’ve got to come out with our best foot forward. I’ve got a ton of faith in this team. I know we’re going to come back tomorrow with a better plan and execute.”
Alabama ended the game early, adding three more runs on five singles in the bottom of the eighth off de Jong and Connor Gatwood.
Marciano (3-1) absorbed his first defeat, allowing two earned runs while striking out five in 5.2 innings. Alabama outhit Auburn 15-3, with six of its hits going for extra bases.
Auburn (20-5, 4-3 SEC) looks to even the series in game two Saturday at 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network and the Auburn Sports Network.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer