AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) -- Ike Irish’s hot bat and the Tigers beat the North Alabama Lions Tuesday night 13-1 in seven innings behind a huge six-run first inning.
Freshman pitcher, Avery Brown, got his first start for the Lions, and it did not last long. Brown went just 0.1 IP, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and 6 earned runs. He threw just 13 strikes on 33 pitches.
Auburn pounced on the poor pitching performance early, and everyone took advantage. After the first three batters reached for the Tigers in the bottom of the first, Ike Irish got the scoring started, knocking in his fourth RBI this season.
Later in the first, catcher Ryan Dyal knocked in another run on a single that dropped in front of the center fielder. It was Dyal’s first plate appearance of the 2023 season, and he made the most of it.
First baseman, Cam Hill, notched his base hit and RBIs in the first inning. He poked a single into right field that scored two runs, giving the Tigers an even larger lead.
Konner Copeland got the start on the mound for Auburn. The left-handed senior threw 3.2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run. Copeland struck out six North Alabama hitters on his way to getting his first win as a starter this season.
Bryson Ware now leads the team with a .667 AVG and 1.780 OPS. War has four doubles this season and added his first home run on Tuesday night.
Freshman star Ike Irish continued to keep his red-hot bat. Irish went 3-4, knocking three singles and adding another RBI. Irish is making it difficult for coach Butch Thompson to keep him out of the lineup this weekend when the USC Trojans make the trip to Plainsman Park this weekend.
The Tigers will now play USC at home in Auburn due to heavy rain in Los Angeles, making their field almost unplayable. First pitch on Friday is at 6 pm, followed by two afternoon games to wrap up the weekend.
