Tigers Fall to Georgia Tech in Offensive-Driven Battle

Mike Rojas earned 3 RBI in Auburn's 11-8 loss to Georgia Tech on Tuesday (Photo: Auburn Athletics/Wade Rackley)

The Auburn Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets got together for the second time this season on Tuesday, and both offenses paced the game. Despite a strong third inning, Auburn fell to the Jackets 11-8 at Plainsman Park. Georgia Tech (16-11) opened the game by scoring five quick runs with one out in the inning. Kel Johnson and Austin Wilhite each recorded two RBI off of Auburn starter Gabe Klobosits. After two reached on a single and an error, Johnson delivered a double to right field that scored Wade Bailey and Joey Bart. Johnson would score one at-bat later on a Coleman Poje double. Kyle McCann reached base via walk in the next at-bat. Poje and McCann each scored on a Wilhite double, which ended the night for Klobosits after 0.1 innings. Calvin Coker got Auburn out of the jam when he forced Chase Murray to ground out to third base, which resulted in a double play. Auburn would go on to grab the lead in the bottom of the third, by scoring eight runs on five hits. The scoring began, and ended, with Luke Jarvis. Jarvis doubled home Will Holland after the freshman reached base on a walk, and scored Mike Rojas as his second run of the inning on a single. Rojas reached base on the biggest hit of the inning when he drove home three on a foul-line-hugging double to left field. Besides Jarvis and Rojas, Daniel Robert drove in two while Conor Davis added to his season total on a bases-loaded walk. The eight-run inning was the most that Auburn has posted in an inning since March 17 against Florida. The Yellow Jackets cut into the Tiger lead in the top of the 4th on a wild pitch, and a single by Bailey. Georgia Tech regained the lead on a controversial play just one inning later. Daniel Sprinkle entered the game for Auburn on the mound, relieving Coker who allowed six hits and an earned run in 3.2 innings of work. After the leadoff batter was hit by a pitch, Kyle McCann belted a fly ball to deep right field, just shy of the foul pole. The initial call was a home run, but due to the closeness of the play, the officiating crew decided to go to video replay for a closer look. The video did not produce enough evidence needed for an overturn, confirming that the hit was indeed a home run. With the home run, Georgia Tech grabbed the lead 9-8. Georgia Tech capped scoring on a 2-run home run to left by Poje, off of Daniel Robert in the 9th inning. Daniel Sprinkle is credited with the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in 3.1 innings. He falls to 0-4 in 2017. Auburn falls to 23-8 on the season. Auburn begins an eight-game road trip on Friday, beginning with a three-game series at Texas A&M. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. at Blue Bell Park in College Station.