With SEC play right around the corner, Auburn is trending in the right direction.
Christian Camacho struck out four in five innings and Auburn pounded out 14 hits in a 10-1 win over Jacksonville State Wednesday at Plainsman Park. It was the Tigers’ fourth straight win.
"I'm pleased," Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. "I don't think Christian was as good as he was last week and hit a couple of batters, but boy he pitched out of first and third there early and just competed. With where we were and for him to get into the fifth inning for two consecutive weeks and leave us in good shape and with our offense responding with those seven runs, I couldn't be more pleased with this small window of time from where we were. I'm tickled to death. Coker got an inning that he needs to keep getting back on track. Then a couple of young guys, Elliott Anderson and to see the ball come out of Sprinkle's hand good there was positive for us."
Camacho got his first career victory and improved to 1-1 on the season. He allowed just one run on four hits over a career-long five innings.
Will Holland had his first career three-hit game including a triple to pace the Auburn (14-5) offense. Jay Estes, Daniel Robert (two RBI) and Damon Haecker (three RBI) each had two hits.
After falling behind 1-0 in the second, the Tigers scored 10 unanswered. Haecker started the momentum with a RBI ground out in the third. In the fourth inning Robert smashed his second homer of the season to right for a 2-1 lead and Auburn never looked back.
The Tigers exploded for seven runs in the fifth to break the game open. Jonah Todd and Josh Anthony both picked up RBI with bases-loaded walks. Robert added a sac fly, then Conor Davis and Haecker added the big blows with 2-run singles each.
Haecker had two hits in the seven-run fifth, one each from the right and left sides of the plate.
JSU dropped to 8-8 on the season. Michael McCreless took the loss with two earned in 3.1 innings.
Auburn’s 14 hits were one off its season high. The Tigers turned two double plays in the game and have recorded 12 in the last eight games.
Calvin Coker, Elliott Anderson and Daniel Sprinkle pitched the final four scoreless innings for the bullpen. The Auburn staff has only allowed one earned run in the last 36 innings.
Auburn opens SEC play at home Friday with No. 5 Florida. First pitch is 6 pm.
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