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Auburn Baseball Sweeps Virginia With 7-5 Victory
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Feb. 16, 2003
AUBURN – The 20th-ranked baseball defeated Virginia, 7-5, to sweep theweekend series from the Cavaliers, despite two rain delays totaling 3 hoursand 22 minutes. Bobby Huddleston homered twice for Auburn, which won itsfifth in a row. The Tigers improved to 6-1 overall, while Virginia fell to0-3.
The first rain delay came with one out in the bottom of the second andVirginia leading 2-1. Following an hour and 40-minute delay, Virginiagrabbed a 5-1 lead with a three-run fourth inning. Chris Sweet had a basesloaded single scoring two runs and Matt Street touched home on a sacrificefly by Mark Reynolds.
Auburn cut the deficit to 5-3 after scoring two runs in the bottom of thefifth inning on Sean Gamble’s single scoring Scott Schade and Chuck Jeroloman.
The second rain delay came prior to the bottom of the sixth inning and lastedfor an hour and 42 minutes.
Once play resumed, Auburn took the lead for good with three runs in thebottom of the sixth. Freshman Clete Thomas’ bases loaded single up themiddle scored two runs. Scott Schade scored on Thomas’ single after Virginiafirst baseman Joe Koshansky committed a throwing error while attempting tothrow Schade out at third base.
Auburn added an insurance run in the seventh inning on Huddleston’s secondhomer of the day, a blast to left-center field. Huddleston’s first home runcame when he led off the second inning with a shot to right field. It wasHuddleston’s first multi-home run game of his career.
Cory Dueitt (2-0) picked up the win for Auburn after allowing a hit andstriking out three in one inning of work. Closer Steven Register collectedhis third save and second in as many days after striking out three in threehitless innings of work. Lee Carter pitched an effective 1 1/3 innings forthe Tigers, allowing no runs on one hit.Greg Hansard (0-1) earned the loss for Virginia after giving up three runs,including two earned on three hits in 1 2/3 innings. Starter Chris Galeallowed three runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings of work.
Chris Sweet and Mark Reynolds scored two hits apiece in the loss for UVa.
Virginia will return to action on Saturday, February 22nd when the Cavaliershost Penn State in UVa’s home-opening doubleheader. First pitch is scheduledfor 1:00 PM and Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium.