Barnett leads Tigers to second straight shutout vs. Little Rock

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn shut out Little Rock for the second straight day, defeating the Trojans 6-0 to clinch the series Saturday at Plainsman Park.
 
It marks the first time Auburn has turned in back-to-back shutouts this season, and the Tigers pitching staff now hasn't allowed a run in 21.1 innings dating back to Tuesday.
 
"It's been a good week and I'd like to finish it off strong," head coach Butch Thompson said. "It's another opportunity tomorrow. These guys responded well and had a good week of pitching. Hopefully we can finish it off strong tomorrow."
 
Sophomore Mason Barnett (2-0, 0.51) earned his second straight win after throwing a career high 7.0 scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed just two hits with one walk and also turned in a career best with nine strikeouts.
 
"I feel pretty good," Barnett said following his start. "That was definitely something I was trying to do today, and I'm feeling really good after that. I had great defense behind me and I wasn't trying to do too much."
 
Barnett is the first Auburn pitcher to throw 7.0 innings and strike out nine in a game this season.
 
"Mason Barnett did good work. He's growing," Thompson added. "I'm pleased with him and we needed him most of the day."
 
Barnett gave way to fellow sophomore Blake Burkhalter to start he eighth inning, and the hard-throwing right hander finished off the final two innings with a career high four strikeouts.
 
The Tigers (10-4) didn't allow a Little Rock (5-7) baserunner to advance into scoring position until there were two outs in the ninth inning.
 
Similar to Friday, Auburn jumped out to an early lead as Cam Hill drove in a run on a fielder's choice in the second.
 
With Barnett cruising on the mound, the Tigers extended the lead to 5-0 with a four-run seventh. Brody Moore split the gap in left-center to score Bryson Ware and later came around to score on Kason Howell's single. Ryan Bliss then ripped a two-RBI double off the wall in left.
 
"Yeah it feels good to come out here and get a good series win," Bliss said. "I feel really good at the plate. I did some extra work this week trying to get back to feeling good, and it's paying off at the plate right now."
 
Auburn capped off the scoring in the contest as Hill drove in another run on a single to left. It marked Hill's 16th RBI of the season in just his eighth game played.
 
The Tigers first two hitters in Josh Hall and Bliss led the way with two hits apiece. Hill drove in two or more runs for the fifth time this season.
 
Auburn will go for the series sweep against the Trojans Sunday at 1 p.m.