Tigers power past Bryant
AUBURN | An eight-run fourth inning powered Auburn to a 15-7 win over Bryant Friday in the opener of a three-game series at Plainsman Park.
The Tigers improve to 6-0, their best start since opening the season 13-0 in 2001.
“I thought it was our best offensive performance as a lineup, top to bottom,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “Our big eight-run inning was just guys passing it down. They were taking their walks. I thought it was the best evaluation of swinging at strikes and taking ball that our guys have had.
“Once we got the starter out and got to the bullpen, I thought we kept it up. I thought we were a threat to score every inning.”
Auburn’s big inning came on just three hits — a solo home run by Brett Wright, a two-RBI single by Will Holland and a three-run home run by Steven Williams — four walks, including one by Dylan Ingram with the bases loaded, an error and a passed ball.
Seven of the eight runs came with two outs.
Williams was 3-of-6 with one run scored and three RBI and Holland 1-of-4 with three RBI. Luke Jarvis, Brendan Venter and Josh Anthony had two hits apiece. Venter scored three runs.
Auburn had 12 hits, drew 12 walks and was hit by a pitch five times.
Casey Mize (2-0) earned the win despite an uncharacteristic start by the All-American. The junior right-hander allowed four runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and two walks in 5.0 innings. He allowed a solo home run in the second and a two-run home run in the third.
“If he missed, he missed way off the plate and it never really initiated any rhythm, timing or getting set and when he threw over the plate, I thought it was too much middle. I thought he missed that third of the plate were he usually lives,” Thompson said.
“He threw some balls in the meat of the plate that they didn’t miss. He was professional and that’s what was neat and I hope the other players on our team see. They threw a couple of punches there and he hung in there and the offense started working for him and he finished strong.”
Auburn’s bullpen closed out the game with Blake Schilleci allowing three runs in 1.2 innings, Corey Herndon no runs on one hit in 1.0 inning and Welby Malczewski no hits in 0.1 inning and Peyton Glavine no hits in 1.0 inning.
The series will conclude Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. CT on SECN+ and WatchESPN. Game two will follow 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Davis Daniel (1-0, 0.00) will start game one and Tanner Burns (1-0, 0.00) game two.