AUBURN, Ala (EETV) – There were hits for everyone on Friday as Auburn’s offense put up 11 runs and allowed zero with a strong outing from starter Sam Dutton.
The Tigers busted the score wide open in the 1st inning scoring five. Cooper McMurray got two of his four RBIs with a single, scoring Eric Snow and Cade Belyeu. Two batters later after a base knock from Derec Fabian, Bub Terrell mashes his first collegiate home run to scratch three more runs.
With pitcher Cade Fisher being out Dutton was given game one. Dutton continued with the level of Auburn’s pitching as of late tossing 5.2 shutout frames with seven strikeouts. The only sight of trouble Dutton faced was in his first and last inning allowing runners to second and third base. He got a double play in the first to get out of the jam and reliever John Armstrong threw just one pitch to get one out in relief today.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Dutton. “I got guys behind me that make plays. That’s the most important thing. That [double play in 1st] was huge, getting a zero on the board in the first. Can’t ask for much more than that. That was huge.”
Every batter in Auburn’s lineup recorded a hit in the game with McMurray and Terrell both with three. McMurray knocked an RBI single in the 2nd inning and an RBI double in the 6th.
Apart from Snow’s sac fly in the 3rd, all the other runs came in the form of one-run singles from Chase Fralick, Ike Irish and Chris Rembert.
Ryan Hetzler made his debut for the Orange and Blue to close out the game. He retired all three batters he faced in 10 pitches.
“Hetzler, he did exactly what you’re supposed to in that situation and just drove the ball into the strike zone,” said Head Coach Butch Thompson.
With Auburn’s relievers only using 11 pitches in the game, they should be in a good position for games two and three with plenty of rested options.
“I thought it was great,” said Thompson. “Armstrong did a great job. It just gives you a chance to be stronger. He threw one pitch. You would think that he can come back and help you again in a second game, so that’s powerful.”
Cade Belyue continues to flash his speed on the basepaths snagging another to stolen bags to bring his season total to seven.
Game two of the series is set for noon on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Plainsman Park. Starter has yet to be announced.
