KNOXVILLE - Hunter Martin gave Tennessee another strong series-opening pitching performance, but a late rally from the Volunteers fell just shy of earning him a win Thursday.
Tennessee scored two runs in the ninth inning and left the tying run on base in a 3-2 loss to Auburn in front of 1,876 fans at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Martin, who pitched into the eighth inning of Tennessee's win over Florida last week, threw the first complete game of his career.
"We didn't quit," Tennessee coach Dave Serrano said. "I commend our guys for that. A lot of work ahead of us, but I believe that ninth inning and what Hunter's performance did will allow us a chance to still get this series."
Tennessee and Auburn resume the series Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
Auburn starter Casey Mize built on the 1.37 ERA he entered with by throwing six shutout innings and improving his record to 6-1.
The No. 10 Tigers (26-10, 9-4 SEC) scored runs in the first and second innings and added another in the seventh.
Tennessee's offense found life in a 3-0 hole after Mize exited.
Auburn reliever Cole Lipscomb hit Tennessee right fielder Dom Thornton with a pitch in the seventh inning, appearing to give the Vols two base runners with one out.
But the home plate umpire ruled that Thornton did not make an attempt to avoid being hit, and he was not awarded first base.
Thornton grounded into a double play on the next pitch, ending the inning.
"It's a tough rule that puts the umpires in a very tough situation," Serrano said. "There's a real gray area to that rule."
Serrano said he felt Thornton did not try and get hit by the pitch.
"I guess the umpire was saying he leaned into it over the plate," Martin added. "That's a tough call right there from my angle."
Tennessee rallied again in the ninth with a leadoff walk by Justin Ammons and a double from Jordan Rodgers.
A groundout brought Ammons home, and Rodgers scored on an Andre Lipcius single to make it 3-2.
Auburn turned to left hander Andrew Mitchell to get the final two outs. He fanned Pete Derkay with a curveball, and Thornton lined out to center field to end the game.
The loss dropped Martin's record to 4-3 for the year, but the 114-pitch, complete game outing sets Tennessee up well for the remainder of the weekend, he and Serrano said.
"Auburn used some of their top bullpen arms tonight, and we didn't use any," Martin said. "So going into the rest of our series, we have fresh arms in the bullpen. That will be key for us."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.