AUBURN – Alabama baseball held off a late rally from fourth-ranked Auburn to claim the 7-6 win in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader at Plainsman Park to sweep a doubleheader as the Crimson Tide defeated Auburn, 4-3, in the first game.
The Crimson Tide’s win in the day’s second game secured the series win and improved Alabama to 17-29 overall and 4-19 in Southeastern Conference play.
In the second game, Alabama jumped to an early 2-0 advantage but Auburn matched with a two-run fourth. The Tide and Tigers each scored one run in the sixth inning. Alabama scored twice in both the seventh and eighth innings to put the game out of reach. Auburn would rally with two runs in the bottom of the eighth and one in the ninth with the tying and winning runs on base, but Alabama pitcher Davis Vainer shut the door with his fifth save of the season and his second of the day. Getting the win for Alabama was Zac Rogers (2-1), who worked 1.0 inning of scoreless relief.
Seven of the nine Alabama starters had at least one hit with seven scoring at least one run. Kyle Kaufman finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Kaufman’s bases loaded single in the eighth scored both of his RBIs and would eventually prove the difference in the one-run win.
In the first game Alabama received a strong pitching performance from the trio of Jake Walters, Garrett Suchey and Davis Vainer. Walters (5-4), the starter, earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing one run, five hits, four walks and one strikeout He was followed by Suchey, who pitched 3.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits before exiting with two outs in the ninth. Vainer collected his fourth save of the season, striking out the final batter to strand the tying run at first base and secure the win for Alabama. Chandler Taylor hit 3-for-4 with two home runs, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Alabama and Auburn play the final game of the weekend series on Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m. Alabama’s starting pitcher is Nick Eicholtz, a right-hander. Auburn will start right-hander Davis Daniel.
