AUBURN, Ala. — Coming off a four-game losing streak, No. 14 Auburn used a strong seven-inning performance to run-rule No. 8 Alabama Friday night. Auburn’s bats also came alive as they had 15 hits, led by Chase Fralick’s four and Eric Snow’s three.
After a tough week of getting swept by Georgia and losing their mid-week game to UAB, Auburn needed a great outing to get back on track. The Tigers would get that tonight by way of Sam Dutton. Dutton’s final line would end up being 93 pitches, six strikeouts, two walks, two hits, and no runs given up. Postgame, Dutton credited his coaching staff this offseason and how they taught him to use the zone more.
“That’s something that Coach Thompson engrained in me," Dutton said. "During the fall and during the spring… I think I’ve just learned how to pitch in the zone.”
Dutton retiring 12 of the first 15 gave the Tigers’ offense plenty of time to settle in and get an early lead, except the Tigers wouldn’t need any time to strike and get out in front. Eric Snow would get the first of his three hits in the first inning with a single. After a walk to Rembert, McMurray hit an RBI double to left to score Snow and advance Ike Irish to third. A double to the farthest part of left field by Steele scored two more runners and put pressure on Alabama’s Adams. Fralick would get his first hit of the day to finish the early scoring.
Seven out of the nine batters for Auburn would get on base through the game’s first two innings following a single by Ike Irish, who would score Rembert’s earlier double. McMurray and Terrell would load the bases for the Tigers just a couple of batters later, but Carter's ground-out off the bat would end the inning.
Alabama’s offense would essentially be shut down until the fifth inning when the Tide got their first hit of the day, thanks to Bryce Fowler. This would be their only hit of the inning, though, as Dutton would only give up one more hit on the day in the sixth.
Auburn would further their offensive showcase in the bottom of that same inning as they would load the bases for a second time. A walk to Deric Fabian would do just that, as the Tigers would get their eighth man on base. Back-to-back singles by Snow and Rembert would score the inning’s three runs as the Tigers would extend their lead to nine and look for the run rule.
Fralick’s team-leading fourth hit of the night would score Auburn’s 10th run, laying the table for Dutton to close the game in the seventh. Dutton would do just that as he forced two of the last three batters to pop out, clinching the game for the Tigers.
After the game, Coach Thompson thanked the record-setting crowd for their support tonight, saying “ that’s the most charged, the most well-round, and the richest environment that I’ve seen for all of these”.
Auburn will look to continue its hot offensive play in tomorrow's doubleheader against Alabama. The games will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on SECN+ and the Auburn Sports Network.
