AUBURN, ALABAMA (EETV) Spring is just around the corner on the Plains of Auburn, Alabama; for fans of the Tigers baseball program, the time has come to break out the ballgloves, head to Plainsman Park and cheer on the orange and blue. Fans are ready, a the young squad is optimistic and head coach Butch Thompson is seeking another run to the College World Series.
Unfortunately for the community surrounding the program, Thompson’s squad opened up it’s season with a 3-0 loss at the hands of Oklahoma when the teams faced off in Arlington, Texas as part of the State Farm College Baseball Showdown.
Thompson’s squad kept it’s opponent at bay through six innings, keeping the Sooners scoreless until the bottom of the seventh.
“It was one of those the whole time where you knew it was going to come down to one pitch,” Thompson said.
The Tigers’ elite pitching display was presented by the squad’s duo of right-handed gunslingers who conveniently share the same last name: John and Jordan Armstrong.
“I thought the two Armstrongs – Jordan and John – two new pitchers in our program, they’re going to be able to do something for us,” Thompson said.
According to both the skipper and the scoreboard, Auburn’s defensive efforts were not the cause of the team’s loss; the orange and blue was simply not seeing the ball well in their chances at the dish.
"It was a little back-and-forth," Thompson said. "Really, all of our preparation told us, I was so excited about our lineup. We just didn't have great approaches today."
Auburn was out-hit by the Sooners just 4-3.
With the opening day loss in the rear view, the Tigers now focus their attention to Saturday’s contest with the No. 12 Red Raiders of Texas Tech. First pitch between the non-conference opponents is set for 3:00 p.m. CST on FloBaseball.
