AUBURN, ALABAMA (EETV)- Auburn shutout Rhode Island in back-to-back games on Saturday in Plainsman Park. The Tigers produced 28 runs (16-0, 12-0) in the doubleheader. Auburn moves to 10-2 on the season after the sweep in the doubleheader.
Starting pitchers Joseph Gonzalez and Trace Bright combined for 12.2 scoreless innings, 16 strikeouts and one walk.
“Both guys were great,” head coach Butch Thompson said. “Joseph got out of the first, and then he kind of got on that autopilot and just started pitching. Trace kind of started on autopilot. One of the best performances I can remember in a while.”
GAME ONE
Gonzalez didn't allow a run for 6.2 innings as he struck out eight batters. Both of these stats are career-highs for the right-handed pitcher. He escaped bases-loaded in the top of the first inning.
Blake Rambusch started off the offense with a leadoff home run, his second of the season. Cole Foster hit an RBI single in the second and walked with bases-loaded in the third inning. Jake Wyandt's two run-RBI single extended the lead 5-0.
The Tigers scored in six straight innings and seven out of nine starters recorded a hit. Brody Moore led the team as he went 2-for-3 with two doubles. Ryan Dyal hit his first homerun of the season in the fourth inning and Brody Moss made his first plate appearance in the eighth.
Gonzalez only allowed two base runners before he struck out 11 straight from the second to the fifth inning. Relief pitchers Tyler Drabick, Cam Hill and Ben Bosse each contributed one strikeout in their appearances.
GAME TWO
The Tigers scored nine runs in the bottom of the first inning. Six of the nine starters recorded hits, including two from Cam Hill. Dyal and Rambusch each had two-RBI singles, and Foster had an RBI for the 10th time in 12 games this season.
Auburn sent 26 batters to the plate in the first three innings. Dyal drove in his fifth run in the third to bring the lead to the eventual final of 12-0.
Starting pitcher Trace Bright held a no-hitter for 5.1 innings and his eight strikeouts was a career-high. The junior hasn't allowed an earned in three starts and 17 innings this season.
“A good day today gives us an opportunity to get a sweep on the weekend for the first time this season,” Thompson said. “We need to keep challenging ourselves for consistency tomorrow.”
Auburn closes out the series against Rhode Island today at 12:30 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park. They will have one day of rest before traveling to Huntsville, Ala. to play Tennessee Tech on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.
