Bell Walk-Off Homer Lifts Auburn to 10 Inning Win Over Boston College
Box Score l Audio
February 20, 2004
Arnold Hughey
AUBURN - Sophomore catcher Josh Bell's second home run of the game, a solo shot in the bottom of the 10th inning, gave No. 10 Auburn a 6-5 walk-off win over Boston College Friday at Plainsman Park. The Tigers, which rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the ninth inning, improved to 4-0 on the season. Playing in their season opener, the Eagles dropped to 0-1.
Bell, who homered in the first inning, led off the Auburn tenth inning by taking Ryan Morgan's 2-0 offering over the right field fence for the game winner. Bell, who has four home runs in his last three games, finished the day with a career-high four hits.
In the Auburn ninth inning, the Tigers had the bases loaded with one outs when J.T. Williamson grounded into an apparent 6-4-3 double play to end the game. However, Williamson was safe as Morgan, playing first base at the time, was pulled off the bag on the throw from second base. Sean Gamble scored on the play and Auburn tied the game when Ben Maitland followed with a two-out single through the left side scoring Ben Sprague from third.
Cory Dueitt (1-0) picked up the win for Auburn in two innings of scoreless relief. Morgan (0-1) was charged with the loss for the Eagles.
In a contest that featured a combined 16 walks, the Eagles broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth inning with a pair of runs on no hits and five Auburn walks. The Tigers cut the deficit to 4-3 in the seventh inning when Boston College walked four consecutive batters.
The Eagles took a two run lead in the ninth inning on an RBI single by Eric Wright scoring Morgan who led off the inning with a single.
Boston College starter Matt O'Donnell gave up two runs, including one earned in six innings of work. Drew Locke and Ryan Morgan each had two hits in the win for the Eagles.
Auburn starter Arnold Hughey gave up three runs on five hits in four innings of work.
Saturday's second game of the series will begin at 3 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park.
Auburn 6, Boston College 5 (Feb 20, 2004 at Auburn, Ala.)
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Boston College...... 101 020 001 0 - 5 9 3 (0-1)
Auburn.................. 100 100 102 1 - 6 11 2 (4-0)
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