Despite the loss, Auburn retains a one-game lead in the SEC West with a 7-2 conference mark. The Tigers are 27-4 overall while Bama improved to 6-3 in the conference and 22-7 overall.

"Alabama played well and (Lance) Cormier was terrific," said Auburn Coach Hal Baird. "I felt like we were playing uphill all day. Our kids were ready to play, but the guy in the middle of the field (pitcher Chris Bootcheck) set the tone today." Bama got to Bootcheck for seven runs in just five innings of work. He surrendered 11 hits and six earned runs while walking one and striking out three.

Tide starter Cormier, a freshman making his first college start, gave up 10 hits and walked six batters, but pitched out of trouble time after time. He prevented the Tigers from scoring more than two runs in any frame in seven innings of work. Auburn stranded a dozen runners on base. Jonathan Blakenship pitched the final two innings and did not give up a hit or run for Bama.

Auburn, which had won the first two games of the series 15-4 and 10-2, was still in striking range until Bama got three runs in the top of the ninth inning off of relievers Brad Weiss and Colter Bean. Alabama had 14 hits.

Mailon Kent, Hayden Gliemmo and Chad Wandall each had two hits for the Tigers on a beautiful, warm and sunny day at Plainsman Park. Designated hitter Derek Reif, making his first start of the series, drove home a pair of runs for Auburn. The Tigers return to action with a 3 p.m. Wednesday game vs. Wofford before making a road trip to Mississippi State this coming weekend.