Feb. 17, 2018
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AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn baseball turned in its most runs since 2009 and claimed its first series of 2018 as the Tigers defeated Longwood, 25-1, Saturday afternoon at Plainsman Park. As far as records indicate, the 24-run margin of victory was the largest in program history.
In his Auburn (2-0) debut, freshman catcher Steven Williams went 4-for-4 with three runs and seven RBI - the most by an Auburn player since Tony Caldwell also drove in seven runs at Kentucky on Apr. 9, 2011. In his first collegiate at-bat, Williams sent the second pitch he saw over the fence in left-center field to get the Auburn offense going.
"It seems like a dream right now," Williams said. "Just rounding the bases after my home run, it was surreal. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to even play at Auburn, and to have a debut like that was really special."
Eight Auburn players, including Williams, turned in a multi-hit game, while seven Tigers drove in two or more runs.
"I wanted our guys to continue to respect the game, and we were able to get a lot of guys action," head coach Butch Thompson said. "Steven Williams' debut as an Auburn Tiger was really fun to be in the dugout for and watch up close. We had five big innings, which we quantify as three or more runs, which was pretty strong. Our lineup feels threatening right now."
Also making his Auburn debut, freshman Edouard Julien went 3-for-4 with three RBI and reached base five times. Josh Anthony and Will Holland collected three hits apiece, while Holland and Brendan Venter, who also drove in five runs, matched Williams with a home run in the game.
Three of Auburn's four home runs this season - all of which came in the first 11 innings at the plate - have come from newcomers. The Tigers registered their fourth home run a year ago 14 games into the season.
Right-hander Davis Daniel (1-0, 0.00) made his season debut and earned the win after tossing 3.0 shutout innings and allowing one hit with one walk and three strikeouts.
Following the Auburn sophomore, six Tigers each tossed an inning and allowed one combined run on two hits. Freshmen hurlers Ryan Hoerter, Jack Owen and Peyton Glavine each made their Auburn debuts in the game.
"We got seven pitchers in the ballgame, and they did efficient work," Thompson added. "Andrew Mitchell threw only eight pitches and Hoerter had a nine-pitch frame. For the most part, the guys have really come in and thrown strikes two games in a row."
Opposite Daniel, Longwood's (0-2) Cody Boydstun (0-1, 40.50) suffered the loss.
Auburn wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard with a five-run first inning and crossed the plate two or more times in each of the first five frames.
The big blows in the first two innings came on a pair of three-run home runs from Williams and Venter. A seven-run third inning was highlighted by RBI from five different hitters, and the Tigers jumped out to a 16-0 lead.
Auburn continued to pile it on in the middle innings with three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth and capped off the scoring with a four-run seventh. Venter and Julien drove in their fifth and third runs of the game, respectively, on RBI singles before Jeremy Johnson finished it off with a two-RBI double to left.
The series finale between the Tigers and Lancers is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Plainsman Park. Auburn will send freshman right-hander Tanner Burns to the mound to oppose a Longwood pitcher yet to be announced.