March 21, 2006

Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn plated five runs in the sixth inning to defeat the Samford baseball team, 6-4, Tuesday night at Plainsman Park.

"One bad inning beat us tonight," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "We didn't execute in the sixth inning. It is really disappointing when you play eight good innings and you come up short."

Samford (9-11) was led at the plate by Garrett Rice, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Louis Rojas went 2-for-4. Doug Denson pitched a third of an inning, giving up one earned run on two hits to take the loss on the mound.

For Auburn (12-12) Mike Bianucci went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Andy Masten pitched 1.0 inning, surrendering two hits to pick up the win.

Auburn took the early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Russell Dixon singled up the middle to drive in Tyler Johnstone, who led the inning off with a walk, for a 1-0 Auburn lead.

Samford answered with three runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead. Rice singled to drive in Parker Gargis, and Drew Reagan scored on an Auburn error for a 2-1 Samford lead. Trey Moody then singled to drive in Rice for a two-run Bulldog lead.

The Bulldogs added a run in the sixth inning to increase their lead to 4-1. Gargis hit a sacrifice fly to drive in John Morgan to give Samford a 4-1 lead.

Auburn came back with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 6-4 lead. Jeff Boutwell singled to drive in Josh Donaldson to cut Samford's lead to two runs. Bianucci then homered to left field with Boutwell on base to tie the score at 4-4. Auburn took the lead when Justin Bristow scored on a wild pitch. The Tigers made the score 6-4 when Johnstone singled to drive in Bruce Edwards.

Samford will return to action on Wednesday, March 22, when the Bulldogs play host to Mercer. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field.