AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn pitching staff turned in its third shutout in the last five games as the Tigers complete the midweek sweep of UT Marting by defeating the Skyhawks, 2-0, Wednesday at Plainsman Park.
The win was Auburn's sixth straight dating back to the series finale at UCF. The Tigers (11-2) improved to 9-1 at home this season.
"Our pitching rebounded unbelievably," head coach Butch Thompson said. "I think it goes back to show some depth. If we have to score 15 runs every night to win a ballgame, we're in trouble. I take it as a positive because now I feel like we've (been in) two completely different spectrums of a ballgame and find a way to win both of them. I took it as a positive that we can find different ways to win."
Garrett Wade (2-0, 0.00) drew the first start of his Auburn career and earned the win. The Hartselle, Alabama, native threw a season-high 5.0 innings and allowed one hit with two walks and eight strikeouts.
"The mindset's the same – just trying to go out and attack the strike zone, and give us the best chance to win," Wade said. "I felt comfortable out there, and I had a lot of confidence in myself."
Wade struck out the side in the third inning and fanned five straight during the stretch that went back to the top of the second. He struck out two or more batters in three of his five innings of work.
Conor Davis provided all the offense Auburn would need in the contest as he broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field. Davis lifted a 2-0 pitch high and deep down the left-field line, and the ball stayed just inside the foul pole to put the Tigers on the scoreboard.
Leading 1-0, Carson Skipper entered the game in the top of the seventh with two outs and runners on the corners and held the Skyhawks scoreless with a strikeout. Skipper struck out five batters in 2.1 perfect innings of relief and earned the save.
Auburn manufactured a run in the bottom of the eighth to double its lead. Matt Scheffler started the inning with a single and later scored on a wild pitch. Skipper then retired UT Martin in order in the ninth to end the game.
Auburn continues a stretch of five games this week with a three-game series against UTSA (7-6) Friday through Sunday at Plainsman Park.