AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) -- The Auburn Tigers run-ruled the struggling North Alabama Lions for the second time this season, 14-1in Plainsman Park Tuesday evening.
The bats were on fire for Auburn early, as they teed off in the first inning against RHP Avery Brown (0-1, 4.15). Brown allowed six runs, including a leadoff home run by Cole Foster, and recorded just one out in a rough outing. The Lions called on RHP Justin Battle, who was able to escape the jam.
LHP Drew Nelson (1-1, 7.59) got the start for Auburn after a solid start last Tuesday versus South Alabama. In that game, Nelson went 4.0 innings, allowing just one hit and getting his first win.
The Lions got on the board in the top of the second inning, with a screaming double in the left-center field gap. Bobby Pierce nearly made an incredible bare-handed play off the wall, but the relay home was a step behind the runner.
The Tigers looked threatening in the second inning, but left the bases loaded to end the inning. They were able to add one run to their lead on a Cooper McMurray double.
Bryson Ware, a junior, is having the best season of his Auburn career. Ware has 37 hits, 30 RBIs, and 12 home runs, all career highs. He added his twelfth home run in the bottom of the third inning, blasting a fastball into the night sky.
“I'm glad Bryson Ware is on our team,” said coach Butch Thompson. “I love him for working so hard.”
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ike Irish would hit his second home run of the season, a towering three-run, 426-foot moon shot into right-center field. The blast would extend Auburn’s lead to 11-1.
“I try to be myself tonight, and for the past couple of weeks, I haven’t been. Tonight, I had a reset and let my hands work,” said Irish. “Home runs aren’t my top priority, winning is.”
After Bryson Ware drove in his second run of the game on a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth, Irish would add a pair of RBIs on a single to right. This would stretch the lead to 14-1.
Drew Nelson would finish the gem of a game he started. He went 7.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits, and struck out seven North Alabama hitters. Even against a struggling North Alabama team, the outing was impressive.
The Tigers will travel to Gainesville, Florida to take on the No. 2 Florida Gators. First pitch is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT.
