Feb. 23, 2018
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AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn offense scored in the final six innings of the game as the Tigers defeated Bryant, 15-7, in the series opener at Plainsman Park Friday night. With the win, Auburn improved to 6-0 and continued its best start to a season since 2001.
Trailing 4-0 entering the bottom of the third inning, Auburn outscored Bryant (0-4) 15-3 in each teams' final six at-bats. The Tigers' night was highlighted by an eight-run fourth inning that started with a solo home run from Brett Wright and finished with a three-run shot off the bat of Steven Williams.
"I thought tonight was our best offensive game," said head coach Butch Thompson. "Bryant came out swinging the bats and threw the first punch, but our guys really hung in there. Top to bottom, we really passed it down. Our guys took their walks. It was the best evaluation of balls and strikes for our guys. Once we got their starter out and got to the bullpen, we were a threat to score every inning."
Right-hander Casey Mize (2-0, 3.27) earned his second win in as many starts this season after pitching 5.0 innings and allowing four runs on five hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. Mize's nine punchouts tied Andrew Mitchell for the most by an Auburn pitcher this season.
Opposite Mize, Bryant starter Steve Theetge (0-2, 1.69) suffered the loss. The southpaw lasted 3.2 innings and allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits with five walks. As a team, Auburn drew 12 walks and was hit by five pitches in the game.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Panno in the top of the first inning and added to it on a solo home run from Chris Wright in the second followed by a two-run home run from Panno in the third.
Auburn got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning when Brendan Venter scored from third on a passed ball thrown by Theetge.
The Tigers then exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth, marking the most runs scored in an inning this season and the team's sixth time with four or more runs scored in a frame. Wright got the Tigers started with his second home run of the season to cut the lead to 4-2. Jay Estes then drew a four-pitch walk to start a two-out rally and later scored on a passed ball before Dylan Ingram drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game. Four pitches later, Will Holland battled with two strikes and hit a two-RBI single through the right side to give the Tigers the lead for good. Bryant went to the bullpen for the second time in the inning, and Williams deposited the first pitch offered from Justin Snyder over the fence in right-center to extend the lead to 9-4. Seven of Auburn's eight runs in the frame came with two outs.
Auburn added to its lead with a run in the fifth and sixth innings, coming on a sacrifice fly from Josh Anthony and a RBI single from Luke Jarvis, respectively.
After two of the first three batters were hit to start the top of the seventh, Panno got the Bulldogs back in the game with his second home run. However, Corey Herndon, Welby Malczewski and Peyton Glavine combined to pitch the final 2.1 innings in scoreless fashion while the Auburn offense added four more runs to get to the 15-7 final.
Williams led the way from the plate as he went 3-for-6 with one run and three RBI. Jarvis, Venter and Anthony each collected a pair of hits, while Holland matched Williams with three RBI. In 16 plate appearances this week, Venter has reached base 13 times and is 7-for-10.
Auburn and Bryant will wrap up the series with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park. Game two will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.