AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) – Auburn struggled to get the bats going in their 4-2 loss to UAB. This marks the second-midweek matchup Auburn has dropped this season, the first was also to UAB.
“Pretty lifeless,” said Head Coach Butch Thompson. “I thought that was the most lifeless offensive performance we’ve had. We’ve got to absolutely go back to the drawing board.”
Auburn had eight hits on the night but couldn’t seem to string any together. They only had two multi-hit innings throughout the night and left seven on base. The bottom half of the lineup especially struggled, with the six through nine spots going 1-for-13 collectively. That only hit coming in the bottom of the ninth.
The Blazers snagged their first couple of runs in the fourth when Jackson Sanders gave up a two-out walk and then a home run to third basemen Todd Clay. Sanders took over after Alex Petrovic whose day ended in the third at 32 pitches.
UAB scratched another couple of runs the very next inning when Mayes White dropped a squeeze bunt to McMurray. McMurray focused on the White barreling for first and the hesitation allowed Tyler Waugh to score the go-ahead run. Logan Braunschweig then drove in their fourth and final run.
Cooper McMurray (3-for-4) was involved in almost every offensive play for the Tigers. McMurray knocked an RBI single in the first to give Auburn an early lead. He also doubled and scored in the fourth; Chris Rembert with the RBI double.
“He needed it,” said Thompson. “This is one of our seniors, he’s one of our most trusted guys. He needed tonight. I thought his approach was as good as I’ve seen it in a few weeks. We need him.”
The bullpen showed some life as well with Ben Schorr and Graves combining for 4.2 scoreless. Schorr allowed three hits in his 1.2 IP and Graves forced the Blazers hitless. Graves set his high for innings in a game with 3.0.
“What was working today was my fastball and getting ahead of hitters,” said Graves. “Making them get themselves out and trusting my defense. When they are making plays behind you, you have all the confidence in the world.
“Learn or win. We’re going to learn from this, we’re going to bounce back,” said Griffin Graves.
Auburn will be back this weekend for an SEC matchup against their rival Alabama. The series kicks off Friday, April 4 at 6 p.m. CDT. Sam Dutton should continue his stint of series-opening starts.
