After scoring only two runs in its first two games of the season, Auburn’s bats exploded for 12 runs and cruised to a 12-1 victory against Kansas State to wrap up its weekend tournament series in Arlington, Texas.
The score was 1-1 after the first two innings, then Auburn scored three runs in the third, two in the fourth, and five in the fifth to take control of the game.
“I finally felt like we settled in a little bit," said head coach Butch Thompson. "I thought we got a little charge out of two guys who hadn't been in the lineup for two days. We got a little boost."
Brayton Brown and Nate LaRue joined the lineup for the first time this season and combined for five RBIs, including the first four runs of the game to get the blowout started for the Tigers.
"Those are two guys who hadn't had an at-bat this weekend who came in and got us going a little bit," Thompson added. "I feel like we relaxed and had some good at-bats."
Auburn started the scoring in the first inning with a sac fly from LaRue which scored Blake Rambusch after back-to-back batters were hit by a pitch.
The Wildcats responded in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single plating their only run of the game.
After the second inning, it was all Auburn as the Tigers put up three runs in the third inning with a sac fly and an RBI single that plated two runners. The Tigers held that lead for the rest of the game.
The Tigers added two more runs in the fourth inning and then exploded in the fifth, totaling five runs for the inning.
The scoring in the fifth was started by Josh Hall, who stole home plate. Hall became the first Tiger to steal home since 2010. Ryan Dyal hit a two-run RBI single and then with the bases loaded, two Auburn batters were hit by pitches to cap off the scoring for the inning.
The Tigers added another run off of another bases-loaded hit by pitch to make the score 12-1 which ended up being the final score.
"Being able to cycle up and get up for a 6:45 a.m. pregame meal and come out here and play a good, solid baseball game and not having a mental breakdown," Thompson said. "I like that. I like the mental toughness."
The offensive explosion is the main story from this game, but Auburn’s pitching had another great game as starter Trace Bright earned the win allowing only one earned run while also holding the Wildcats hitless after the first inning.
In relief of Bright, Auburn used four different relief pitchers to close out the game and they combined to allow only one hit in the final four innings.
Chase Allsup was the first to relieve Bright and he struck out the side in his collegiate debut. He was followed by Mason Barnett in the seventh inning who was able to retire each batter he faced in order.
Cade Granzow made his collegiate debut in the eighth and pitched a scoreless frame after allowing a lead-off single. Carson Swilling entered the game in the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 inning to seal the victory for the Tigers.
Auburn pitchers allowed only five runs (four earned) during the weekend series in Arlington.
The Tigers return to action on Wednesday, February 23 to face off against Troy for the home opener at Plainsman Park. The game starts at 5 p.m. CST.
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Henry is a sophomore from Dallas, Texas. This is his second year with The Auburn Plainsman.
Twitter: @Henry_Patton23
