Auburn Nips Diamond Dogs, 9-8, In Series Opener

Friday, April 3

Starkville

6:30 PM

Mississippi State

15-14, 0

Auburn

19-9, 0

Auburn

Mississippi State

Auburn Nips Diamond Dogs, 9-8, In Series Opener

April 03, 2009 | Baseball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

? Official Statistics
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STARKVILLE, Miss. - A three-run home run by Auburn's Joseph Sanders capped a six-run ninth-inning rally lifting the Tigers past Mississippi State 9-8 in the opening game of a Southeastern Conference baseball series at Dudy Noble Field.

A season-high crowd of 3,221 Friday night saw the Bulldogs carry a 6-3 lead into the ninth inning. The Tigers struck for six runs in the top half of the ninth inning. The Bulldogs could only answer with a pair, stranding runners at first base and third base in their final at-bat.

Auburn improved to 19-9 overall and 5-5 in league play, while MSU fell to 15-14 and 3-7. It was a rare home defeat for the Bulldogs, who fell to 13-3 at Dudy Noble Field this year.

“We just aren't good enough to win these kind of games yet,” MSU head coach John Cohen said. “Our kids put a lot pressure on themselves to compete. We are learning how to compete. But for every step we take forward, we take a couple of steps backwards.”

The bullpen let a quality start from Tyler Whitney get away. Whitney threw a season-best 6-1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and three runs (all earned), with two walks and a career-high nine strikeouts. The junior left-hander threw an amazing 123 pitches and left with a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning.

Auburn built a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second innings. MSU answered with single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings.

In the seventh inning, Jared Wesson replaced Whitney on the mound. Wesson worked out of a tight spot in the seventh inning but not before allowing a game-tying double by Ben Jones. Center fielder Grant Hogue hit shortstop Ryan Powers who hit catcher Scott DeLoach for an inning-ending putout at the plate, keeping the teams tied 3-3.

It did not stay that way long. The Bulldogs grabbed a 5-3 lead on Connor Powers' sixth home run of the season - a two-run shot in the home half of the seventh inning.

The lead grew to 6-3 an inning later on an RBI-double by Luke Adkins.

Auburn then answered in the ninth inning. Chad Cross white (0-3) worked around a pair of hits in the eighth but could not survive a six-run, four-hit ninth inning by the Tigers. Jones again started things with a one-out single. Brian Fletcher followed with a double. A groundout by Casey McElroy brought the score to 6-4. After a walk, Justin Hargett followed with an RBI-single. A misplay in the outfield allowed another run to score on that at-bat, tying the game 6-6.

After another walk, Sanders hit his team-best 12th home run of the season - a towering three-run shot to left field.

In the home half of the ninth inning, Auburn needed two more relief pitchers to close out the contest.
Hogue and Cody Freeman began the inning with back-to-back hits. Closer Austin Hubbard entered for AU and promptly walked Connor Powers to load the bases. After a strikeout, MSU tallied on an RBI-single by Scott DeLoach and groundball out hit by Ryan Duffy. A routine groundout closed out the victory for the Tigers.

“When you are being super aggressive and having to make good decisions at the same time, it can be tough and you can make bad decisions,” Cohen said. “The kids are learning how to compete. I thought we competed real well in this game.”

For the contest, MSU finished with 15 hits. Hogue led the way with his second four-hit game of the season. DeLoach had his second three-hit game, while both Connor Powers and Adkins had their second three-RBI games of the season. Adkins also had a multi-hit game, slapping his third home run of the season in the fourth inning.

Auburn finished with a season-best 18 hits. Sanders, Tony Caldwell and Ben Jones each had three hits for the Tigers. Sanders finished the contest with four RBIs.

Michael Hurst (2-0) threw one inning and picked up the win. AU starter Grant Dayton worked seven innings. Bradley Hendrix started the ninth inning before giving way to Hubbard, who earned his fifth save.

The series resumes with a 2 p.m. start Saturday and concludes with a 1:30 p.m. start Sunday.