Auburn vs Ole Miss Game 1

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Auburn returns to SEC action vs Ole Miss tonight (yeah it is Thursday) on ESPNU.

Derek Varandore 4-1 3.75 ERA vs Jr. LHP Matt Crouse 6-2 2.79 ERA

Let's start this series out right, need to get 2 of 3.  Tonight appears to be tough as Crouse is Ole Miss' ace statistically and he is  LHP.  Hopefully Varandore will come back strong.

[AUinEM 0]

What is our record

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Auburn is 20-16 and 7-8 in the SEC.  We have a 14 rpi so we should be safe to get into the NCAA tournament as long as we make the SEC tourney.  If the SEC tournament began today we'd be in.

*On a side note, I am watching my first game of the season on TV here in Guatemala.  War Eagle.  I'll post updates throughout the night and prob share some of my thoughts finally getting to see the guys play.

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Auburn gives up 2 runs on a double.  Varandore is having trouble locating his fastball, walked 2 guys then paid for it.

Bottom of the 1st

Ole Miss 2

Auburn 0

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Ole Miss knew that bunt was coming and couldn't do anything about it, Andrews can fly.

Lead off man on, lets do something.

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Varandore is settling in.  Locating fastball much better.  2 Ks then an Error on the LF, player got to 3rd, but Varandore gets the next guy to pop out to end the inning.

Lets get some runs.

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Gamache goes yard.  Over the bullpen probably upwards of 400 feet.  He's seeing the ball real well, laid off 2 touch pitches got what he wanted and put a charge in it.

Top 3rd

Ole Miss 2

Auburn 1

[SuperNova 0]

watching it on ESPNU now.... Wish I was there, looks like a nice evening in Auburn...

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Simpson doubles to left, Alvord moves him over, and Andrews drives him in with a single in the 4 hole.

Auburn 2

Ole Miss 2

Auburn has men on 1st and 2nd.  Really seem to be seeing the pitcher well, lets go middle of the order.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Bases loaded....only 1 out!  Let's go Auburn!

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

:'(

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

That one hurt, we needed some runs there.  Caldwell popped out and Gamache drove one to the warning track in center.  Would've been gone with the old bats  

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

The 4th passes with no runs.

Top 5th

Auburn 2

Ole Miss 2

*Alvord looked lost on that last at bat.  Everyone for Auburn seems to be seeing the ball well.  We're outhitting Ole Miss 6-2.  Gotta get some runs in though.

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Auburn making Varandore work extra hard.  McElroy makes a throwing error, then Caldwell lets a pass ball by.  Auburn still gets out of the inning unscathed.

I'm not sure the official count but thats 4 potential errors on us. 2 dropped fly balls on Andrews and then these two.  Come on Tigers!!

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Just took a peek at Ole Miss' stats.  Their closer hasn't given up a run in 18 IP, we need to take the lead soon.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Auburn making Varandore work extra hard.  McElroy makes a throwing error, then Caldwell lets a pass ball by.  Auburn still gets out of the inning unscathed.

I'm not sure the official count but thats 4 potential errors on us. 2 dropped fly balls on Andrews and then these two.  Come on Tigers!!

The errors are killing us. 

[TigerPaw1 0]

As much as our program has improved in other aspect under coach P. fielding is definitely not one of them! We continue to make so many errors especially in SEC play

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Gamache gets a bunt single (love this guy) and steals 2nd.  Beisner and Patterson leave him on 2nd.  I had absolutely no hope that Patterson would come through there.  In clutch situations we can never get him to come through (this year at least).

Top 7th

Auburn 2

Ole Miss 2

Varandore is at 90 pitches, Ole Miss pitcher at 110.  Ole Miss has a better bullpen than us though.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

If Auburn were getting lots of runs across the plate it wouldn't be so bad. But with the shaky bullpen,and quieter bats this season, Auburn needs to do as much defensively as they can.

New pitcher Ethan Wallen, and first pitch is hit sharply. Ole Miss now has a runner on 1st.

Come on Ethan!

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Varandore is done for the night.  Ethan Wallen is in to pitch.

Varandore 6 IP 2 H 2 R 5 K 3 BB

Great bounce back night, gave us a chance to win, up to the bullpen and the bats now.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

:banghead:

4 errors tonight.

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Caught a break there, Andrews misplayed another fly ball, 1 run scores, but runner on 2nd rounds 3rd and is picked off.  (questionable call), auburn gets out of the inning with only 1 run scored.

Bottom of the 7th

Ole Miss 3

Auburn 2

*Our fielding is simply pathetic and frustrating.  Andrews has no range in LF (although I like him the lineup).  4 errors in an SEC game will get you killed.

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

We need some runs here.  

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Creede with the leadoff single, good night for him 2B, 1B, and a run scored.  Beautiful hit and run by Wacker.  Auburn has 1st and 3rd nobody out.  Gotta get runs here.  Top of the order up.

[kbtiger151345162906 0]

Tie ball game, Andrews with a single up the middle.