The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Auburn
Late Surge Lifts Auburn Over UAB, 6-4
3/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB put together a big four-run sixth inning, but gave up two runs late in the ninth to fall to the Auburn Tigers, 6-4, Tuesday night at Regions Field in front of a large, energetic home crowd.
"I told the kids after the game I couldn't have been prouder," UAB head coach Brian Shoop said. "That's all you can ask of your team. We hit two balls right on the screws in the ninth. (Adam) Lau's ball was smoked and hit right at the second baseman, and (Brett) Blackwood just missed hitting a grand slam by a fraction of an inch on the ball. The kids fought tremendous."
Auburn (14-7) scored single runs in the second and third before UAB (10-8) got the bats going to plate four runs in the sixth. Lau sparked the offense, crushing a home run - his second of the season - to left field. Mitch Williams later scored on a errant throw from the Auburn catcher, before Griffin Gum gave the Blazers a then 4-2 advantage with a double to left field.
The Tigers responded in the next half inning, also taking advantage of a Blazer defensive mishap, before a single to center field plated the tying run.
Auburn went on to punch home the game-winning runs in the ninth off a bases-loaded single and sacrifice fly.
Ryan Ruggles was solid again in his second career start, going 4.1 IP with five strikeouts and two runs allowed. Auburn starter Dalton Rentz struck out six UAB hitters in his five innings pitched with just three hits allowed.
Gum led UAB offensively with two RBI, as the Blazers tallied seven hits.
"Unfortunately tonight, if you'd ask me what our number one strength on our team is, I'd say infield defense. They're (the defense) not perfect, they're human beings and trying so hard, and they made some mistakes tonight, that if they do what they normally do, we win. Great crowd and we're very appreciative of everybody that came out and watched tonight. Very fun atmosphere and I think they saw a great game."
UAB returns to action this weekend when it hosts Marshall for a Conference USA series.
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
