March 3, 2003

Samford will host No. 11 Auburn Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field in nonconference baseball action. The Bulldogs (3-8) are coming off a heart-breaking loss to No. 27 UAB last Thursday. Auburn (12-3) swept Elon over the weekend to remain ranked in the top 15 in every college baseball poll. Freshman right-hander Chandler Tidwell will make his first career start for Samford.

The Bulldogs had the weekend off to regroup after falling to cross-town rival UAB, 2-1, in its last outting. Freshman right-hander Stephen Artz struck out a career-high seven batters and allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings before being relieved by Frank Allen Yeilding. However, UAB's Cody Cillo pitched a complet game allowing one run in three hits and striking out a career-high 13 batters. Sae Evans, Robert Evans and Eric Hollis each had one hit against the Blazers. Samford is only hitting .250 as a team while the team ERA is 6.32.

Auburn enters the nonconference game ranked in all four college baseball polls. The Tigers are ranked No. 11 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Auburn swept Elon, 11-1, 3-1 and 7-1 over the weekend to run its win streak to five games. Against Elon, Javon Moran went 6-for-10 with four runs scored and two RBI. Bobby Huddleston had three hits and five RBI in the series. Scott Schade leads the team hitting .382. Huddleston has belted five home runs and knocked in 12 RBI. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .326 with a team ERA of 4.07.

Last Time at Auburn, Auburn's Chuck Jeroloman went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBI and the Tigers torched Samford pitching for 19 hits as Auburn defeated the Bulldogs, 10-1, at Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park back on Feb. 11. The Tigers avenged last season's loss in Auburn and handed Samford its first road loss of the season. True freshman Justin Klinger provided Samford's lone run. Klinger hit a solo home run over the 385-ft wall in left center field in the top of the third inning. Auburn pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts. Arnold Hughey got the win. Hughey pitched four innings and allowed one earned run and recorded three strikeouts. Scott Schade also went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for the Tigers.

Samford is 1-10 all-time against Auburn under Parenton. Auburn won the first meeting this season between the two teams three weeks ago, 10-1, in Auburn.

The Bulldogs host instate rival Alabama A&M Wednesday. The Bulldogs return to Atlantic Sun Conference play this weekend when they host Campbell in a three-game series beginning at 6 p.m. Friday.