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AUBURN, Ala. - For seven innings Sunday against Auburn, Tennessee seemed all but unstoppable.

But the Vols' cruise to an SEC series victory hit a snag in the late innings. Auburn shortstop Matt Hall's ninth-inning RBI single capped an improbable Auburn comeback, handing UT a disappointing 4-3 loss in the series finale.

"This is the hardest loss we've had all year," Tennessee coach Todd Raleigh said. "We did everything we could to win the game."

UT (16-9, 5-4) has lost two straight SEC series and is two games behind first-place Florida in the SEC East.

The Vols looked set for a shutout thanks to the outstanding pitching of starter Nick Hernandez. The sophomore left-hander threw seven scoreless innings, dominating Auburn's offense.

But Hernandez couldn't overcome his teammates' mistakes in the eighth.

"It's the best he's pitched all year, probably one of the best performances we've had all year," Raleigh said. "It hurts.

"In your head, you say, 'OK, if my guy goes out and does that, we're going to win the game.' "

Pitching with a 3-0 lead, Hernandez gave up back-to-back singles. On the second hit, shortstop Danny Lima, looking for a force-out at second, threw the ball into the outfield, advancing both runners.

With runners in scoring position, Raleigh ended Hernandez's outing, bringing in reliever Jeff Lockwood (1-1). Lockwood and reliever Aaron Everett each gave up an RBI ground out before Everett escaped with a 3-2 lead.

Tennessee had a chance to extend its lead in the ninth. Freshman Kentrail Davis singled with one out but Auburn reliever Michael Hurst (1-0) struck out Cody Brown and Yan Gomes to end the inning.

Auburn's Joseph Sanders led off the ninth and reached on another error by Lima. Lockwood, who stayed in to play first when Everett came in from the bullpen, moved back to the mound and struck out Kevin Patterson.

Auburn's Brian Fletcher followed with a single, moving Sanders to second.

That brought up Auburn catcher Tony Caldwell. The freshman, who wase hitting .153, doubled to left, scoring Sanders to tie the game.

With the winning run on third and first base open, Raleigh elected to pitch to Hall, Auburn's No. 9 hitter. Hall took two Lockwood curves for strikes, then connected on a breakin ball, sending a sharp line drive into left, scoring Fletcher.

"We knew if we kept the game within reach, we'd have a good chance at the end," Hall said. "It's never over for us."

Tennessee plays at Tennessee Tech on Tuesday.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.