AUBURN, Ala. – Coming off a tough series against the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, the No. 11 Auburn Tigers rolled back onto the Plains looking for a bounce-back win to get them ready for the weekend.
The UAB Blazers had something to say about that.
The Blazers (17-12) took down the Tigers (20-9) 4-2 at Plainsman Park on Tuesday night behind timely hitting, huge double plays and an all-around stifling of Auburn hitters.
“Pretty lifeless,” Head Coach Butch Thompson said. “I thought that was the most lifeless offensive performance that we’ve had.”
The big hit eluded Tigers' hitters all night long, as they left seven runners on base and squandered multiple scoring opportunities. The Tigers also bounced into three double plays, including one to end the game, adding to the Blazers' double plays total to 17, which is good for second in Division I.
The teams seesawed in the fourth, with the Blazers scoring two in the top half and the Tigers answering with a run of their own. However, the Blazers would take the lead back in the fifth with an RBI groundout by Mayes White and an RBI double from Logan Braunschweig, giving the Blazers a 4-2 lead.
That would prove to be enough.
The Blazers' pitching staff carved through the Tigers’ lineup, holding powerful hitters such as Ike Irish, Chase Fralick and Eric Snow hitless. Blazers pitcher Brock Hill took home the win for green and gold, while Tigers freshman Jackson Sanders took home his first collegiate loss.
The loss was only the second midweek loss of the season for the Tigers. The first one? To UAB 6-5 on Mar. 5 in Birmingham.
“It’s either learn or win,” Tigers’ pitcher Griffin Graves said. “Learning is what we’re going to do tonight.”
The Tigers and Blazers will both be back in action Friday night, as the Tigers host against bitter rival No. 12 Alabama, while the Blazers will return to the Magic City and face UTSA in a three-game series.
