Auburn Falls to Samford in Mid-Week Action

Daniel Robert went 3-4 with 3 RBI in Auburn's 7-6 loss to Samford on Tuesday. (Photo: Auburn Athletics/Wade Rackley)

Much like last week, Auburn Baseball found themselves down by a wide margin early in the game. Unlike last week, they were not able to recover. Auburn dropped their first midweek game of the season on Tuesday to Samford, 7-6. Daniel Sprinkle got his first start of the season on Tuesday and was quickly attacked by the Bulldog bats. After allowing three baserunners, Samford’s Troy Dixon scored two runs on a double. Samford would score again two at-bats later on a Jordan Fucci single. Following the Fucci single, Sprinkle was lifted and replaced by Corey Herndon, who would ultimately pitch 3 ⅔ innings, a career high. Two more scored in the inning, giving Samford a 6-0 lead before Auburn had a chance to respond. The Tigers began a comeback effort in the bottom of the fourth inning, sending five runs across the plate to pull the score to within one. Dylan Ingram and Bo Decker reached base to open the inning thanks to an error and a hit by pitch respectfully. The bases became jammed when Mike Rojas walked two batters later, setting up a perfect opportunity for Will Holland to begin a rally. Hollard flew out to center field, deep enough to score an eager Ingram from third base to put Auburn on the board, down 6-1. One at-bat later, Jonah Todd chipped into the lead by scoring Decker on a single up the middle. The big blow of the inning came off the bat of third-place hitter, Daniel Robert. On a 0-1 count, Robert delivered a clutch, bases-clearing double to score three runs, bringing the total to 6-5 in favor of Samford. The scoreboard remained untouched until the 7th inning when the Bulldogs scored their seventh and decisive run of the contest on a single by Taylor Garris with two on. The Tigers made one final push in the bottom of the ninth. With two runners in scoring position, Ingram hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Estes, who reached base on a single to open the inning. The effort came to a close one batter later, when Bulldog pitcher Wyatt Burns struck out Decker, ending the game. Daniel Sprinkle is credited with the loss, going 0.1 innings and allowing 6 runs on 4 hits while walking two. Corey Herndon was the top pitcher for Auburn, striking out two in 3.2 innings pitched. Gabe Klobosits and Calvin Coker also saw time on the mound Tuesday for Auburn. Daniel Robert was the key player at the plate, going 3-4 with 3 RBI, all of those off of the 4th inning double. Auburn will continue their 22-game homestand on Friday, with a three-game series opener against Lipscomb. First pitch slated to begin at 2 PM.