AUBURN, Ala – Auburn won their season opener 4-1 against Holy Cross on Friday night, which was capped by a home run from Cade Belyeu and lockdown pitching.
Belyeu came to the plate in the second inning to a standing ovation after it was announced pregame that Staci, his mother, lost her battle with cancer. Belyeu, with extra emotions, drove a single to left field and stole second to put himself into position to score and scratch the Tigers’ first run on a two-run double from Eric Snow.
Belyeu rose the crowd to their feet yet again in the 6th when he launched a solo home run into the right-center field student section to give the Tigers a three-run lead in what can only be described as an inspiring moment for everyone in the ballpark.
“I think it was the most inspiring thing we’ve ever seen,” said head coach Butch Thompson postgame. “I know Cade played for his mom tonight. That was the number one thing [Cade’s home run] that happened tonight. Some things are bigger than ball, this is one of those moments.
Derec Fabian claimed the last run of the night in the 8th with a triple scoring Eric Guevara.
Auburn’s revamped pitching staff combined for one hit and one run while dishing out 10 K’s, three walks and three hit batsmen. Florida transfer Cade Fisher started the match and his Auburn career going 3.1 IP, allowing the only run of the night as well as one hit, five strikeouts, three walks and a hit batsmen.
Cam Tilly and Carson Meyers were called upon to relieve Fisher after he was pulled on his 53rd, which is likely on a pitch count early in the season. Tilly and Meyers combined for no hits and no walks while striking out five of their own. Tilly is credited with the win. Meyers only needed 25 pitches in his three innings of shutout ball to close the game.
“An excellent finish by Carson Meyers and a good way to start the season,” said Thompson.
This game also marked the largest crowd in Plainsman Park for Auburn at 5,718 fans total and over 1,200 students.
“We definitely had some home-field advantage there,” said Meyers. “It’s awesome, being in the bullpen today and hearing everybody so involved it just makes a difference and makes you want to do great things for them. They come for a reason.”
Auburn will play Holy Cross at Plainsman Park on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. for game two of the three-game opening weekend series. LSU transfer Sam Dutton is scheduled to start, another new arm for the Tigers as Thompson and company hope to solidify the pitching staff.
