Auburn falls to Kentucky in their opening SEC tournament game

The Tigers couldn’t muster enough offense in this one.

It didn’t go their way as of late against the Kentucky Wildcats. After closing out the season in Lexington, the Auburn Tigers had to face them once again in the opening round of the tournament.

The Tigers would fall 3-1 with the go-ahead run at the plate. However, we did see strong pitching and defensive plays throughout this game.

The pitching staff was on their game early on as Carson Skipper took the mound. He lasted just three innings on the bump allowing just one hit and one walk to go along with his seven strikeouts. He threw just 42 pitches before giving the ball to Trace Bright, who would pitch into the sixth inning.

In the fourth inning, Auburn fans saw something you just don’t see every day. On a hit to shallow right field, Bobby Pierce threw out Daniel Harris at first base. This wouldn’t be the only time that Harris would get thrown out on a hit to the outfield.

Bright lasted 2.2 innings and surrendered the first run of the game. Carson Swilling would give the skipper 0.2 innings of shutout work giving way to Blake Burkhalter.

The Tigers did get some help from the defense in the top of the eighth inning. Centerfielder Kason Howell fielded the single and the cut off gunned down Harris at the plate.

Auburn wouldn’t fire back until the eighth inning when Kentucky hurler Daniel Harper decided to challenge the Tigers slugger, Sonny DiChiara. Bad move.

The SEC co-player of the year launched a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall to tie it up at one. Unfortunately, when Burkhalter took the mound in the top of the ninth, he was unable to shut down the Wildcats.

Oraj Anu and Adam Fogel each hit solo shots to give Kentucky the 3-1 lead late in this game. Auburn would need to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Brody Moore opened up the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle and Howell was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. That would be as far as it went for the Tigers. Mason Land would strike out on four pitches to get the first out.

Mike Bello would pinch hit and pop up to second base. The final out came when Cam Hill struck out to seal the game for Kentucky.

Now Auburn awaits the selection for the NCAA Regionals.