Tigers Aim For Fifth Straight Capital City Classic Win On Tuesday
By: Josh Rultenberg
Updated: March 4, 2013
The Auburn baseball team will try to make it five straight victories over Alabama in the annual Capital City Classic on Tuesday night at Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium. First pitch is set for 7pm CT but fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 to catch all of the pregame activities.
"Anytime you get Auburn and Alabama together in a game it's always intriguing to the fans and the players. We always enjoy playing in the game there. Montgomery does a great job," Auburn Head Coach John Pawlowski said. "This is a chance for our guys to get to see what SEC baseball is all about. It's a brief snapshot, but a great opportunity for us."
Both teams go into the game with 8-3 records with Auburn claiming a series win over Eastern Illinois last weekend while Alabama dropped two-of-three to Tulane. Auburn will start junior right-handed pitcher Dillon Ortman (0-1, 2.70) on the mound while Alabama will throw left-handed pitcher Taylor Guilbeau (1-0, 2.61).
Jordan Ebert is the hottest hitter for Auburn, riding a nine-game hitting streak and hitting a team-best .424, seventh-highest in the SEC. The freshman infielder has scored five runs and driven in three RBI from his nine-hole spot in the lineup.
Auburn's pitching staff has a 2.91 ERA through the first 11 games, the lowest it has been through 11 games since the 2007 team had a 2.65 staff mark.
Auburn won the inaugural Capital City Classic, 8-7, behind MVP Ben Jones in 2009. In 2010, Auburn won 8-6 behind MVP Michael Hurst. Dan Gamache was the MVP in Auburn's 2-1 win in 2011 while Dan Glevenyak was the 2012 MVP in an 8-3 Auburn win.Prior to the game both teams will have a collection of players and staff shaving their heads in support of the Vs. Cancer Foundation to help fight childhood cancer. Both teams encourage fans to show their support by making a donation online at www.maxcapitalcityclassic.com and at the game on Tuesday night. The money raised will benefit the Vs. Cancer Foundation, the Children's Hospital of Alabama and research efforts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Following Tuesday's game, Auburn returns home for a three-game series against Brown in its final non-conference weekend of the season. Game times are 6pm on Friday, 3pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.
