AUBURN, Ala (EETV) – Auburn pitching staff powers through EKU in game two, wins 6-1.
The Tigers leaned on the arms of Joseph Gonzalez, Zach Crotchfelt, John Amrstong and Will Cannon to hold the Colonels to only one lone run. Gonzalez led the Tigers through the first five innings allowing two hits and no earned runs: striking out two along the way.
The majority of Auburn’s runs came in the 3rd inning. After struggling in the opening couple of innings to time up EKU’s pitcher Quinton Hall, who had an above average curveball, Bobby Pierce flipped the switch for the Tigers and capitalized on a hit batter and walk from Hall, tripling and knocking in Caden Green and Javon Hernandez. Cooper McMurray then continued where he left off last season with a shot over the right field wall, putting the Tigers up 4-0.
The Colonels scratched a run back in the 5th inning after Chris Stanfield dropped a ball with two outs, giving the colonels a costly extra out. EKU leftfielder DJ Sullivan used the extra out and sent a double down the leftfield line, scoring the Colonel’s only run of the contest.
Crotchfelt was called on to command the next couple of innings, going an inning and a third, giving up two hits and dishing out two K’s. Crotchfelt was then pulled for Armstrong who closed out the 7th and 8th innings allowing no hits and striking out two in his short innings of work.
The Tigers scored twice more, once in the 7th after Sam Robertson stole second and third, pinch running for Christian Hall, who walked his way on to leadoff the inning. Javon Hernandez then claimed his first RBI of the season grounding out to shortstop. The run in the 8th came off a solo shot from Pierce, his first of the season.
Cannon came to the bump to close the match out in the 9th inning. Canon saw five batters in the inning, hit one, walked one and struck three out.
Today marks the first game Gonzalez has pitched in since February 18, 2023. Gonzalez was shut down after the game due to shoulder issues.
“Felt great, it feels good to be back and play with the boys,” Joseph Gonzalez said. “My command was a little off at first, but then I got it going… I just kept trusting my defense, they were the ones making me look good.”
Gonzalez forced eight groundouts and seven flyouts in today’s outing. He also ranks as the No. 80 starting pitcher by D1 Baseball.
“Joseph can be a lot better, I know it, he knows it,” Head Coach Butch Thompson said. “He just kept navigating and kept getting better, and he will over these next few weeks.”
Auburn will finish the series against Eastern Kentucky Sunday, February, 18 at 1:00 CT. Carson Meyers will get the start on the hill for the Tigers.
