AUBURN, Alabama — Despite a strong offensive start and an amazing bullpen performance, No. 4/4 Tennessee was unable to contain Auburn’s bats in the early innings, falling 9-5 at Plainsman Park in the series opener on Friday night.
Four of UT’s five runs came from two-run homers by Kavares Tears and Christian Moore in the first two innings, but missed opportunities plagued the Vols as they left the bases loaded in the second inning and were unable to capitalize in the third after getting two runners on with one out.
The Tigers (18-11, 2-8 SEC) also came out swinging, easily erasing a 3-0 lead with five runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning.
Three more in the second gave them an 8-5 advantage that they would not give up.
Following the blazing start, the Big Orange failed to find any kind of rhythm at the plate for the rest of the night against Auburn’s bullpen, which allowed no runs and only four hits in the last seven innings.
Carson Myers earned the win after pitching 3.2 scoreless innings in relief of starter Dylan Watts, while John Armstong ended the game with four shutout frames and six strikeouts to earn his second season save.
Tennessee’s bullpen was nearly as good, allowing only one run on four hits and 11 strikeouts in 6.2 innings.
Aaron Combs had his best showing of the season, pitching four innings and striking out six, keeping the Vols in the game. Veteran lefties Kirby Connell and Chris Stamos combined for five strikeouts and allowed no runs in the last 2.2 innings.
AJ Causey had a terrible outing for the second consecutive weekend, dropping to 5-2 on the year.
Blake Burke recorded the only hit against Armstrong, a single in the ninth inning, and finished with a team-high three hits to extend his hit streak to 20 games, scoring and driving in a run with an RBI double in the first.
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