Feb. 16, 2007
AUBURN, Ala. -
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Sophomore pitcher Bryan Woodall did not allow an earned run in 6.0 innings of five-hit ball and senior Bruce Edwards went 3-for-3 with three runs scored from the leadoff spot as Auburn defeated UNC Greensboro, 9-2, in the opening game of a three-game series on Friday afternoon at Plainsman Park.
Woodall (2-0) picked up his second victory of the season and third straight dating to last season, striking out four while not issuing a walk for the second consecutive game.
"They came out aggressive early so I had to make good pitches early in the count," Woodall said. "My teammates came out to play behind me and they played some great defense today."
Edwards was the sparkplug for the offense all night long, successfully reaching base in all five of his plate appearances. He singled twice, tripled, drew two walks and stole two bases as Auburn scored in five of the first six innings.
"Bruce has been playing very well in the leadoff spot. His on-base percentage is through the roof, whether it is taking walks or getting hits. When he gets on, it helps our offense so much because he just puts so much pressure on opposing teams,"AU Head Coach Tom Slater said.
The Auburn defense also made a couple of spectacular plays on the afternoon, highlighted by Edwards' diving catch of UNC Greensboro's Adam Deleo's line drive to left-center to leadoff the third inning and freshman Robert Brooks' snag of Scott Schneider's grounder deep in the hole at second to end the eighth.
"Bryan was very solid and I thought we played very good defense behind him," Slater said. "Bryan is so pitch efficient and our guys love playing behind him because it is a quick tempo and a quick game."
Sophomore Mike Bianucci (2-for-5, R, 2 RBI), senior Andy Bennett (2-for-3, 2B, 4 RBI) and Brooks (2-for-4) each finished with multi-hit games for Auburn, which moved to 4-1 on the season.
Brett Butts earned his first career save with 3.0 innings of work. The junior surrendered one run on two hits and a walk while striking out three.
UNC Greensboro starter Nick Starnes (0-1) was tagged for the loss in what was the season-opening game for the Spartans. Starnes allowed seven runs on six hits and four walks in 4.1 innings.
The two teams return to the diamond on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm CT.
GAME NOTES
Junior Josh Donaldson had his career-long nine-game hitting streak snapped as he went 0-for-1 with two walks, a sac fly and a hit-by-pitch ... Woodall has not allowed an earned run in 13.0 innings of work this season ... Auburn's bullpen has issued just four walks in 24.0 innings this season ... Edwards is now 21-for-21 in stolen bases, dating to the 2005 season.