Box score


AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn scored six unanswered runs over the final four-and-a-half innings en route to a 6-1 win over University of South Alabama baseball Tuesday at Plainsman Park.

South Alabama (17-23) held a 1-0 lead through four-and-a-half innings after Davis Knapp led off the game with a double to left-center field, moved to third on a groundout to second by Cameron Cummings and scored later in the inning on a two-out wild pitch by Auburn's Daniel Koger.

Auburn threatened when Blake Austin and Keegan Thompson reached on consecutive singles to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. A one-out single from Jordan Ebert loaded the bases, but Jaguar left-hander Jared Gates escaped the jam with a popup to second base off the bat of Brett Binning for the second out of the inning and an inning-ending fielder's choice that Anfernee Grier hit to third base that allowed Andrew Tindell to step on third for the final out of the frame.

Drew LaBounty reached on a one-out double to right-center field in the top of the fifth in what ended up being the final Jaguar hit of the game. Tindell followed with a one-out walk before Knapp popped up to shortstop for the second out of the inning. Auburn right-hander Jay Wade then induced an inning-ending popup into foul territory near third off the bat of Cummings to escape the jam.

Gates issued a leadoff walk to Auburn leadoff hitter Damon Haecker – who eventually made his way to third base with two outs – in the bottom of the fifth.  Three consecutive two-out RBI doubles by Austin, Thompson and pinch-hitter Blake Logan gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

Auburn extended its lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth on a one-out RBI single to right field by Damek Tomscha, and added its second run in the inning on a two-out single to right field by Logan to push its lead to 5-1.

The Tigers added the final run of the game in the bottom of the seventh when Ebert singled to lead off the inning, and eventually scored on a wild pitch from USA right-hander Matt Peacock.

Wade (4-2) tossed 2 2/3 perfect relief innings, and struck out two to earn the win. Gates (1-5) took the loss in 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Wade combined with three additional Tiger relievers to shut the Jaguars out over the game's final 4 2/3 innings.

Logan went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI to lead Auburn at the plate. Knapp finished 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored to lead the Jaguar offense.

South Alabama will return to action this weekend when it hosts Louisiana-Monroe in a three-game Sun Belt Conference series at Stanky Field, with game one scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday evening.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).