No. 11 Auburn lost to No. 3 Georgia Tech by a score of 13-3 on Mar. 31 in Atlanta. Auburn took an early lead with three runs in the second inning but was unable to score again as Georgia Tech answered with a six-run bottom of the second and continued to add runs throughout the game.
The result marks Auburn’s fifth consecutive game scoring first, but the team could not maintain its advantage against Georgia Tech, who scored in five of their last seven innings. The defeat highlights challenges for Auburn’s pitching staff and offense as they prepare for upcoming games.
Head coach Butch Thompson said, “We knew it’d be a bullpen game on both sides. They got eight runs with two outs. They got the leadoff man on. Then we were hanging in there, but whether we stayed with the guy or went to the bullpen they still drug runs in. That’s really the difference in the ballgame.”
Bub Terrell started Auburn’s scoring with a leadoff home run in the second inning, his fifth of the season, followed by Bristol Carter’s two-out double that brought home two more runs. However, Georgia Tech responded quickly with Ryan Zuckerman hitting a two-run home run and Drew Burress adding a two-out double before Vahn Lackey hit another two-run homer later that inning.
After loading the bases early in the third inning without scoring further, Auburn struggled offensively for much of the remainder of the game as Georgia Tech extended its lead through additional hits and home runs.
Looking ahead, Thompson said, “Our offense has to get their minds back to playing good baseball, having good at-bats and starting innings early… We just need, overall, tougher at-bats. We have to push through and keep playing and having at-bats. We have to make some things happen.”
Auburn will return home for an eight-game homestand beginning Thursday against No. 15 Arkansas.
