Tigers bounce back in game two of the DH against Kentucky

Tigers win in game two of the double-header against Kentucky on Friday by a score of 6-3,

On Friday night, the Tigers faced Kentucky for the second time in one day. The first game between the two resulted in the Tigers losing by a score of 5-1. In game two, Butch Thompson sent out starting pitcher Trace Bright while the Wildcats sent out starting pitcher Wyatt Hudepohl. The Tigers would look to even up the series in game two in the Bluegrass State.

After both teams went scoreless in the first inning, the Wildcats were able to scratch across a single run in the second inning. Shortstop Ryan Ritter hit a solo home run to left field. After two innings, Kentucky led 1-0.

After 11 innings of scoring just one run on the day, Auburn was finally able to bring across several runs. The Tigers started off the inning with Sonny DiChiara drawing a walk. Two batters later and designated hitter Brooks Carlson also drew a walk.

Shortstop Brody Moore reached off of a fielder’s choice. The next batter was center-fielder Kason Howell who delivered with a two-run double to bring across DiChiara and Moore. Then, as if two wasn’t enough, second baseman Garrett Farquhar hit an RBI single to score Howell. Tigers led 3-1 after three innings of play.

The Tigers weren’t finished in the fourth inning as they plated two more runs. After two outs to start the inning, DiChiara drew a walk. That would end up hurting the Wildcats. Right-fielder Bobby Peirce hit a RBI triple to score DiChiara. Carlson would then add an RBI single to score Peirce. After four and a half innings of play in Lexington, the Tigers led 5-1.

In the bottom half of the fourth inning, the Wildcats brought across a run. A double from Ritter moved third baseman Chase Estep to third. After a fielding error occurred on the play, Estep was able to score. The Wildcats led 5-2.

Once again, the Tigers bullpen did a phenomenal job of keeping the Wildcats’ bats in check. Relief pitchers Carson Swilling, Chase Allsup, and Blake Burkehalter combined to throw the last four innings of the game while allowing just three hits and one earned run. Kentucky added their last run of the game in the seventh inning via the long ball. Right-fielder Adam Fogel hit a solo shot to left-center field.

Auburn scored again in the top half of the ninth inning after a bunt single by Moore brought across Peirce. In the bottom half, the Cats were held in check. Auburn won game two by a score of 6-3. The Tigers improve to 37-17 and 16-12 in the conference while the Wildcats fall to 29-24 and 11-18 in the conference. The series finale is scheduled to start on Saturday at 1 CT. The game will be aired on SEC Network +.