Auburn baseball falls to No. 10 Florida in weekend series

The Auburn baseball team lost yet another series in close fashion this past weekend after falling to the No. 10 Florida Gators in both the series opener and finale. Though they managed to pull out one win in the first doubleheader game on Sunday, the Tigers couldn’t grab back-to-back dubs.

Auburn fought hard in the series opener, falling behind the Gators by two in the final inning. Jack Owens, a left-handed pitcher for the Tigers, got the start and allowed only two runs, no walks, and seven strikeouts in seven innings.

The Tigers’ two runs came in the seventh inning from a home run off the bat of Ryan Bliss, tying up the score. Despite hits from Steven Williams and Kason Howell, Auburn struggled to advance runners around the bases and many times left them on base by the end of the inning.

Rather than a Saturday game, the Tigers played a Sunday doubleheader due to inclement weather, and they started the day off strong with a dub. Richard Fitts got the start for Auburn, not allowing a hit until the top of the third. Carson Skipper was his relief, followed by Joseph Gonzalez, who earned his first career win, and Will Morrison, who earned his first career save.

According to AuburnTigers.com, several Tigers combined to pick up the only win in the series. Tyler Miller, Ryan Bliss, Brody Moore, and Cam Hill all recorded multiple hits.

"Steven Williams got things going with a solo home run to right field – his ninth of the season – and Cam Hill gave the Tigers the lead on a two-run homer two batters later – his fifth of the year. Bliss, Miller and Rankin Woley turned in three straight one-out RBI singles to extend the lead to 10-6 and cap off the six-run frame"

In the final game, the Gators got a hot start off of the Tigers’ first pitcher Peyton Glavine, but by the bottom of the fourth Auburn tied it back up 3-3 thanks to RBIs from Hill and Howell. Mason Barnett relieved Peyton Glavine in the fourth, but Florida’s two runs in the seventh were more than the Tigers could overcome.

Next up on the schedule for Auburn baseball is SEC opponent Georgia, who they’ll face on the road next week.