Luke Jarvis had struggled mightily at the plate to begin his Auburn career. The junior college transfer entered Sunday 3-for-13, and started the day 0-for-3. But when Auburn needed a big hit, Jarvis delivered.
The 5-foot-10 shortstop smacked a two-out, bases-clearing double to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 Auburn lead in the sixth inning, leading the Tigers to a 4-3 win over George Washington.
The situation was starting to look bleak for Auburn as they loaded the bases with only one out in the bottom of the sixth. Pinch-hitter Damon Haecker struck out on three pitches, and Jarvis quickly fell behind in the count 1-2. He worked the count full, and on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, laced a line drive into the right-center gap.
“I’ve been trying to not do too much especially on opening weekend you get those nerves and those butterflies especially with this being my first year here,” Jarvis said. “The first couple of pitches, I was a little antsy. Once we get to two strikes, (hitting coach Doug Sisson) has been really big on having that nice approach of trying to see something fast and then reacting. So I was just trying to see the ball deep and got it and finally just put one in play where they didn’t catch it.”
Andrew Mitchell (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, throwing two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The left-handed junior struck out two and allowed one unearned run.
Daniel Robert, who started the game at first base, followed Mitchell out of the Tigers’ bullpen and entered a bases loaded, one out situation in the seventh inning. He allowed a sacrifice fly, but no further damage as Auburn held on to its 4-3 lead. Robert fired 1.2 scoreless innings for the Tigers, striking out two.
“We had a grind today,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. “It was made mentioned to me that we were 1-11 in one-run games last year. So to match that in the first weekend is kind of funny, kind of not funny, but part of the kind of games we need to play.”
“I don’t know a better way, or a more proper way, for our team to grow than to be in those moments over and over again.”
Auburn starter Davis Daniel survived a rocky first inning to go 4.1 innings in his collegiate debut. He gave up two first inning runs, but did not allow any further damage. He gave up seven hits and struck out three.
“He got to two strikes and just did not execute a pitch,” Thompson said. “His execution got better. The veteran lineup was more ready than the rookie pitcher. I thought the rookie pitcher had good stuff, and settled down and competed. That could’ve gone a lot worse, but Davis Daniel is a winner and a competitor and he really started executing.”
Corey Herndon picked up the first save of his career, throwing a scoreless ninth inning for Auburn.
Jonah Todd finished 2-of-3 at the plate, scoring twice for the Tigers. Bo Decker snapped out of his 0-for-9 start this season with three hits and a RBI.
George Washington (1-3) was led by starting pitcher/DH Robbie Metz who was 2-for-4 with two RBI. He also went five innings on the mound, allowing one run on eight hits. Tyler Swiggart (0-1) picked up the loss, allowing three runs on three hits in one inning out of the Colonials’ bullpen.
Auburn (3-1) will resume play Tuesday as they host Jacksonville State at 3 p.m. at Plainsman Park.
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