The Tiger's bats came alive in a big way during the midweek contest in the northern part of the state.
The No. 17/23 Auburn Tigers (4-1) traveled up to Huntsville today for a contest against the North Alabama Lions (1-3) that ended in a 13-1 run-rule victory for the Tigers.
“I have to give our team a lot of credit, especially after Sunday, for the good bounce back,” head coach Butch Thompson said. “We really talked about trying to come out today a fight a little bit, and that’s about as good of baseball as we can play at this stage of the season.”
Senior Konner Copeland got the start for Auburn and pitched 3.2 innings in which he allowed one run off of three hits and struck out six batters. Sophomore John Armstrong pitched 1.1 innings of relief, giving up one hit and striking out two batters. Senior Chase Isbell tossed the final two innings for the Tigers, only allowing one hit and striking out four batters.
Freshman Avery Brown got the start for North Alabama, he only lasted one-third of an inning, however, as he allowed six runs to cross the plate. Four different relief pitchers got some reps for the Lions, and we're mostly successful in slowing down the Tiger's offensive explosion. The one exception would be Freshman Joey Malecha who gave up four runs off of three hits and walked one batter in 1.1 innings of work.
Freshman Ike Irish, who made his first start at catcher, got the scoring started for Auburn in the top of the first inning by hitting a single to right field that scored Bobby Pierce. Senior Bryson Ware hit a sac-fly to center field that scored Brody Moss. Redshirt Junior Ryan Dyal singled in Justin Kirby. Junior Cam Hill singled in Irish. Senior Kason Howell reached on a fielder's choice to score Cole Foster. That was all of the first-inning offense for the Tigers.
The bottom of the third inning saw more fireworks for Auburn as Pierce hit an infield single to bring in Hill and Foster. Moss followed that up with a sac-fly that scored Howell.
North Alabama scored its only run in the top of the fourth inning. Redshirt freshman Jackson Ferrigno hit a sac-fly which allowed Kyle Machado to score.
Pierce hit a solo home run for the Tigers in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Ware hit a two-run shot that also brought in Irish for the Tigers in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman Chris Stanfield followed that up with a single that scored Foster.
Due to the weather forecast in Los Angeles, Auburn's series against USC has been moved to Plainsman Park. First pitch will be at 6:00 p.m. CT on Friday, 2:00 p.m. CT on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday.
