The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Auburn
UAB Baseball Hangs Tough with Auburn Tuesday
5/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
AUBURN, Ala. – The UAB baseball team jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead over Auburn Tuesday night at Plainsman Park, but the Tigers struck for two runs and a couple of late runs to claim a 4-1 win.
A combination of six UAB hurlers held the Auburn lineup to just four runs on six hits, while the Tigers’ duo of Daniel Sprinkle (2-1) and Andrew Mitchell earned the win and save, respectively, by allowing one run on three hits.
The Blazers plated a run in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead. Senior Griffin Gum was hit by a pitch, advanced on a sac bunt and scored on an error. The advantage didn’t last long, however, as starting pitcher Dylan Munger allowed a lead-off walk that turned into a run. Niko Buentello singled home Anfernee Grier to tie the game 1-1.
Reliever Cory Eller (0-2) held the Tigers scoreless in the second, but a Buentello double to right sent Auburn ahead 2-1. Eller kept the board clear in the fourth and Ryan Ruggles tossed a scoreless fifth.
A couple of one-out, back-to-back hits from Jared Nixon and Brewer Hicklen gave the Blazers a scoring opportunity in the sixth, but Mitchell was called on from the bullpen and quickly recorded two outs to end the frame. The Tigers went on to plate two insurances runs in the seventh to put the contest out of reach.
Despite the lack of offense, Hicklen enjoyed a solid night at the plate. The freshman was 2-for-4 and reached on an error in the first inning. Nixon accounted for the third UAB hit, and Gum scored the team’s lone run. Eller was charged with the loss, but the junior limited the Tigers to just one run and four hits in three innings of work.
The Blazers hit the road again Wednesday en route to Charlotte, N.C. UAB meets up with the 49ers for the final Conference USA series of the regular season. The series is set to begin Thursday and wrap up Saturday.
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 social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
