AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn baseball closed its fall exhibition schedule Friday night with an 11-6 loss to the University of Alabama at Birmingham at Plainsman Park. Despite a back-and-forth battle through eight innings, the Tigers struggled to contain the Blazers' late offensive surge, allowing 6 runs over the final two innings.
Both teams opened the game with aggressive defensive performances, limiting offensive opportunities in the first inning. UAB redshirt sophomore Riley Miller helped keep Auburn off the scoreboard with his pitching, while the Tigers' defense responded with consecutive outs of its own.
The teams were held even at 0-0 through the first inning. The second and third innings followed a similar pattern, with both teams relying on solo home runs to generate their early offense.
Auburn struck first in the bottom of the second, taking a 1-0 lead before UAB responded with a solo home run in the top of the third to even the score.
Despite the early offensive production, pitching remained a significant factor in preventing either team from building momentum. Auburn used several pitchers throughout the exhibition, including junior Christian Chatterton, fifth-year Josh Sibley, and sophomore Jack Pezzolo. Juniors Marcel Kulik and Brayden Bergman also made appearances in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively.
UAB similarly rotated through its pitching staff, giving multiple players opportunities ahead of the spring season.
The fourth inning marked another shift in momentum as UAB took its first lead of the night. After a hit from Alex Cheeseman, the Blazers capitalized on an aggressive baserunning play to pull ahead 2-1.
Auburn threatened to respond in the bottom half of the inning, putting multiple runners on base but failing to capitalize on its scoring opportunities.
The Tigers entered the fifth inning trailing by one.
UAB continued to pressure Auburn's defense in the fifth, advancing a runner to third base following a stolen base and a line drive to left field. However, the Tigers prevented the Blazers from extending their lead, recording an out on an attempted advance home.
Auburn's offense remained limited in the bottom of the fifth as UAB graduate student pitcher Chase Ingram kept the Tigers from generating another scoring opportunity.
The Tigers tried to hold their own, but were held to 3 strikeouts as they entered the sixth.
Auburn regained some offensive momentum in the sixth, adding 2 runs and continuing to pressure UAB's pitching staff. The Tigers’ ability to respond helped keep the game competitive heading into the later innings.
The teams continued to exchange runs, entering the ninth inning tied at 5. However, UAB took control in the final two innings, outscoring Auburn 6-1 to secure the 11-6 victory.
The Blazers' late offensive surge proved decisive, as Auburn struggled to contain UAB's hitting and capitalize on its own scoring opportunities.
Friday's matchup concluded Auburn's fall exhibition schedule, giving the Tigers an opportunity to evaluate their roster ahead of the 2027 season, as well as work on consistency.
Auburn will open its regular season Feb. 19 against Penn State in the Atlantis Collegiate Baseball Series in Nassau, Bahamas.
