AUBURN, Ala (EETV) - Auburn's defensive and offensive struggles cause them to lose game one 9-5. Auburn just didn't look like themselves today, making routine errors and striking out 15 times.
Auburn's bullpen continues to struggle, giving up seven runs after starter Will Cannon went 3.0 IP allowing two earned runs in five hits.
Tanner Bauman got the call in the fifth inning while Auburn held a narrow lead of 5-4. Bauman went three up three down in his first inning of work, but Texas A&M came out looking to strike the following innings. Aggie Ryan Targac led of the top of the sixth inning with a solo shot to left field. A&M continued to lay on the runs in the seventh shortly after Bauman started getting erratic on the hill. Bauman hit the leadoff batter and then threw a wild pitch to advance him to third. Bauman then walked another batter on a second wild pitch scoring Hunter Haas from third and opening the door for the Aggie offense to break the game wide open.
Before Bauman could get out of the inning Trevor Werner hit a 3-run home run to give the Aggies a three-run lead. Bauman ended the day with 4.1 IP giving up six earned runs and walking three while striking out four. Bauman is credited with the loss.
Uncharacteristically, Auburn struggled in the field as well. Auburn missed two routine popups to the infield and shallow outfield. These misplays cost Auburn a couple of runs. Even though they lost by four these are the misplays that give the opposing team an edge or momentum, especially in your home stadium.
The bottom of the third is the only time Auburn's offense got rolling scoring the Tigers' only runs of the night. Kason Howell led off the inning sending a double down the left field line. After back-to-back strikeouts from the Tigers, a two-out rally started with Cole Foster making his way to first on with a walk. The Tigers then hit three singles in a row from Bobby Pierce, Ike Irish and Bryson Ware with each batter cashing in one RBI. Cooper McMurray then doubled to right center scoring Ware and Irish.
Apart from the five-run third A&M's pitching got the best of Auburn's batting. A&M got away with only throwing two arms in the game, saving even more pitching for later in the series. A&M starter Nathan Dettmer went 5.2 ip allowing five earned runs in six hits with four walks.
Dettmer looked poised every moment he was on the mound. The righty struck out the Tigers 11 times accounting for 60% of his outs. Evan Aschenbeck got the call in the sixth closing out the game allowing no runs with four K's and no hits. Aschenbeck is credited with the win.
The offense couldn't get anything moving towards the end of the ball game stranding six baserunners, three of which were in scoring position.
Auburn will take on the Aggies again for game two on Friday, April 7th at 1 p.m. EST. Friday may be a double-header due to inclement weather, a decision has yet to be made.
