February 12, 2000
AUBURN BASEBALL WINS SECOND-STRAIGHT OVER FURMAN BY MERCY RULE, 22-4
AUBURN‹ Eleventh-ranked Auburn scored 10 runs in the fifth inning en route
to a 22-4 win by the mercy rule over Furman, today. The Tigers, which improved
to 6-0 on the season, have scored 75 runs in the last four games, including
28 on Tuesday at Samford. "I can't remember a team that has swung the bat from
start to finish like we have in three of the last four games," head coach Hal
Baird said. "We've had good solid at bats up and down the entire lineup."
The win was Baird's 599th during his Auburn career. Baird, who will retire
at the conclusion of the 2000 season has compiled a 599-308 mark in 16 seasons
on the Plains.
For the sixth-consecutive game, Auburn scored first as the Tigers grabbed
a 6-0 lead after two innings. Furman responded with two in the top of the third,
but the Tigers scored five runs on five hits in the fourth to take an 11-1 lead.
Auburn exploded for a season-high 10 runs in the fifth inning as 16 Tigers
came to the plate. Todd Faulkner connected on a two-run homer in the inning,
his second of the season. All told in the inning, the Tigers had 11 hits including
five doubles.
A total of 12 Tigers had base hits, including eight that had multi-hit games.
Faulkner was 4-of-6, with five RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore OF Gabe Gross
was 4-of-5 with four RBI and two doubles. Dominic Rich added three hits, while
John Tyler, Mailon Kent, Lynn Shoop, Bobby Huddleston, and Heath Higgins each
added two hits.
Freshman RHP Brent Speigner improved to 2-0 on the season, after yielding
four hits and two runs in five innings of work. The Birmingham native had four
strikeouts on the day.
Furman (2-4) was led by Tommy John III, who was 2-of-3 on the day. Paladin
starter Toby David (1-2) was credited with the loss.
Auburn and Furman will conclude its' three-game set tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in Plainsman Park. Former Auburn standout and Los Angeles Dodger reliever Gregg Olson will throw out the first pitch.