to Auburn 14-7 in slugfest

By RICKY COUCH

Sports Writer

AUBURN ­ After a disappointing loss to Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday the Auburn Tigers had a chip on their shoulder when the Trojans traveled to Plainsmen Park on Tuesday.

The Tigers also had thoughts of revenge after last years 12-5 upset loss to Troy State. this year things were different as Auburn was able to take advantage of Trojan miscues to claim a 14-7 victory.

"We knew that if we gave them second chances they would make us pay," Trojan head coach John Mayotte said. "They are the kind of team that will take advantage of any opportunity."

The Tigers piled up five runs in the first fueled by a three-run homer by Todd Faulkner to jump ahead early.

The Trojans (7-4) were able get on the board with two in the second. Foy Shemwell used sacrifice fly to score Jay Brown for the Trojans first run. Marek Driver’s infield hit scored Brandon Davis for the Trojans second run.

Auburn added one run in the second to pad the lead 6-2. Then, in the third the Trojans chalked up another run. Derrell Kirkland crossed the plate on a Shemwell single to make the score 6-3.

The Trojans continued to chip away at the Tiger lead with another run in the fourth. After Casey Smith led off the inning with a single Kirkland drove him in with a double to the left field gap.

Auburn (15-3) stormed back with a run in the fourth and four in the fifth, however, to put the Trojans in the rear view mirror 11-4.

The Trojans had their biggest offensive inning in the seventh to put up three runs and hammer their way back into the game. Collin Holder’s RBI double followed by a two-run double by Shemwell pulled the Trojans back in range of the Tigers 11-7.

Unfortunately, the Tiger bats proved to be far too powerful for the Trojans scoring two in the seventh and one in the eighth to claim the 14-7 victory.

Despite the loss Coach Mayotte saw the game as a stepping stone for the Trojans.

"We are just trying to get better," Mayotte said. "I am excited about how much better we have gotten since the first game. Our best days are still ahead of us."

The Trojans were led at the plate by Derrell Kirkland, who went 3-4 with one RBI and Foy Shemwell at 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s.

Kyle Goodson took the loss for the Trojans falling to 1-3 on the year. Goodson threw for three and one third innings allowing seven runs on six hits. Goodson struck out two while walking four.