AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) – Auburn rolled past North Alabama 6-2 on Wednesday night backed by a strong performance from the pitching staff.
Freshman Andreas Alvarez made his anticipated debut tonight. Alvarez’s first three pitches were the only bad pitches he made all night giving up a single and then a bomb to give the Lions a two-run lead. The fourth pitch on was a very different and very dominant Alvarez. He retired the next eight batters and pitched five innings allowing just two runs on four hits and nine punchouts. Alvarez became the first freshman since 2014 with nine Ks
“Giving up the homer definitely doesn’t feel good,” said Alvarez. “I was raised to be able to punch back. That was my mindset right there. I just got punched but I’m going to punch back harder.”
Auburn tied the score 2-2 in the 5th inning with a solo shot from freshman Chris Rembert and took the lead in the 6th with a couple of two-out hits featuring an RBI double from another freshman Bub Terrell.
“It was awesome,” said Rembert. “Of course going up to bat I wanted to be as aggressive as possible. I got a fastball right down the middle and I didn’t miss it. It’s awesome that my first college hit is a home run.”
Griffin Graves and Parker Carlson were called upon to relieve Alvarez. Graves went just one scoreless inning setting the table for Carlson. Carlson threw three perfect innings en route to his save. He struck out five batters and only needed 27 pitches to get through his frames and threw 85% strikes.
Auburn scored some insurance runs in the 8th with a few RBI singles strung together from Eric Snow and Terrell. Snow scored on an error from Lion shortstop Leighton Jenkins to give Auburn a comfortable four-run lead heading to the 9th.
Auburn’s pitching staff was questioned coming into the season after a rocky year last year. After the Tigers’ fifth game, the pitching staff has looked better than the offense, the opposite of last year. The Tigers have combined for a 3.40 era and are averaging just under six runs and over 11 strikeouts, more than double their opponents, per game. Collectively they have held opposing hitters to just .166 at the plate.
“I just think it’s good arms, the talent and the execution,” said Auburn Head Coach Butch Thompson. “The freshmen and the young guys are just that talented and I think somebody like Carlson who’s just been in the program for a very long time and is getting more comfortable and getting more rested. Galvanizing his identity and executing.”
Auburn’s freshman stood out in this game both offensively and defensively and have made a difference in several ballgames already this season.
“Excited that they help us win,” said Thompson. “They’re great options. We got a crew of them. It’s only five games, but soon I think they’ll be guys that help us win instead of freshmen.”
“It’s definitely a great feeling to get into the game and have your coaches' trust and your teams' trust, said Alvarez. “Obviously we have to produce to stay in the game and be able to continuously do it. But it’s definitely a great feeling to know your coaches are behind you and your teammates.”
The Tigers take on Wright State for a three-game set starting Friday, Feb. 21 at 2:30 p.m. in Plainsman Park.
