AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 15 Auburn Tigers kicked off their season with an electrifying performance, defeating Eastern Kentucky 17-6 in a run-rule victory that delighted a sold-out crowd of 4,403 fans at Plainsman Park on Friday night.
"You can just feel an environment growing at Plainsman Park," Thompson said on the atmosphere. "To see (the students) being engaged, they have absolutely responded for us."
The Auburn faithful turned out in force, setting an Opening Day attendance record, including an impressive 1,091 students, who added to the fervor of the newly-opened Back Forty Deck in right-center field.
Sophomores Ike Irish and Chris Stanfield emerged as stars for the Tigers, combining for eight RBI to lead Auburn to victory. Stanfield reflected on the support from the Auburn Family, particularly noting the impact of the students.
"The crowd in general today, the hype around baseball and Opening Day was amazing," Stanfield said. "The students in right center were amazing, and they played a big role, too."
Irish and Stanfield's offensive prowess powered the Tigers' onslaught, with Irish matching a career high with four hits, including a double and a home run, while Stanfield contributed a homer of his own.
The Tigers wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping out to an early lead with Stanfield's three-run blast in the first inning. Despite a brief response from Eastern Kentucky, Auburn maintained control, with Irish's solo homer in the fourth inning extending the lead.
Pitching proved solid for Auburn, with Chase Allsup and Tanner Bauman stepping up to stifle Eastern Kentucky's offense. Allsup's five strikeouts in 4.2 innings set the tone, while Bauman's clutch relief appearance thwarted a potential rally from the Colonels.
As the game progressed, Auburn capitalized on Eastern Kentucky's miscues, capitalizing on errors and walks to extend their lead. The Tigers sealed the victory in emphatic fashion, invoking the 10-run rule with a decisive offensive burst in the seventh inning.
With the season off to a roaring start, Auburn looks ahead to game two against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, aiming to build upon their commanding performance and maintain their momentum.
Auburn's dominant display against Eastern Kentucky showcased the team's depth and potential, setting an optimistic tone for the season ahead. With the support of the Auburn Family behind them, the Tigers are poised to make a statement in the college baseball landscape.
