University of Tennessee
Auburn
Tennessee Loses Early Lead, Falls 7-6 vs. Auburn
April 16, 2016 | Baseball
AUBURN, Ala. -- After jumping out to an early 5-0 lead in the series finale vs. Auburn, Tennessee ultimately fell behind in a 7-6 comeback victory for the Tigers on Saturday at Plainsman Park.
With the loss, Tennessee moves to 20-16 on the year and 4-11 in conference play while the Tigers are now 17-19 with a 5-10 conference mark.
Among Tennessee's starters, Benito Santiago (2-for-3), Nick Senzel (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Derek Lance (2-for-4) led the Vols with multiple hits and contributed six of UT's 10 total hits vs. Auburn.
The Vols put together a string of four base hits to take a 3-0 lead in the first, including a leadoff double by Santiago and RBI-doubles off the bats of Vincent Jackson (1-for-5, RBI) and Rodgers.
In UT's next turn at the plate, Senzel wrapped a two-run homer around the right field foul pole to put the Vols further on top, 5-0.
Auburn came back to scratch five runs on the board over the next three innings, taking advantage of free passes from Tennessee's pitching staff and defensive miscues. With UT holding a 5-3 lead entering the bottom fifth, a series of walks, a base hit and a balk tied things up at 5-5 before a line-out to center field ended the Auburn rally.
The schools battled through their 5-5 tie until the bottom of the eighth, when Tigers first baseman Niko Buentello knocked a solo home run over the right field wall. Auburn pushed their lead to 7-5 by the end of the frame.
In the ninth, Tennessee batters reached via two walks and scored on an two-out, RBI-single by pinch-hitter Leno Ramirez but a called third against catcher Tyler Schultz made it three outs to end the game.
Senior starter Andy Cox worked 4.1 innings in the series finale, allowing five runs (four earned) while granting six walks and striking out five batters. He allowed just four hits in the outing, his fewest since allowing two at Alabama (March 26).
Righthander Jon Lipinski was called upon in relief of Cox in the fifth and threw 3.1 innings, marking the longest appearance of his career for the Big Orange. Freshman Alex Harper-Cook finished the game for Tennessee, tossing 0.1 inning and facing three batters.
Vol Baseball Quick Hits
- With the loss, Tennessee moves to 38-90 in the all-time series against Auburn, as well as a 19-52 mark in games played in Auburn.
- Nick Senzel's two-run homer vs. Auburn marked his fifth of the year, second-most on the Vols' squad behind Vincent Jackson's six.
- Entering Saturday's contest, Jordan Rodgers led the NCAA with 52 RBI over Tennessee's 35 games.
- Following a base hit in the first inning vs. Auburn, senior Chris Hall has now reached base safely in 13 straight games.
- Saturday's attendance at Plainsman Park: 3,236
- On Deck for the Vols: Tennessee briefly returns home to Rocky Top before traveling to take on Middle Tennessee on Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. ET in Murfreesboro, Tenn. From there, the Vols look to host in-state SEC rival Vanderbilt Commodores for a weekend series on Friday, April 22 - Sunday, April 24.
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