AUBURN, Ala (EETV) – Strong performance from Auburn pitching staff leads the Orange and Blue to their second top-10 series win in a row. Starter Cade Fisher (1-0) notched his standout game of the year, while Eric Snow caused issues for LSU.
Fisher set a career-high in innings and strikeouts en route to his first win of the year. Fisher sat six down in his 5.0 innings of work allowing one run on three hits. Fisher pitched himself in and out of a jam in the 4th inning after hitting two and walking a batter to load the bases with two outs. He then dug deep to strike out former Auburn Tiger Chris Stanfield.
“It’s something I’ve been working for all year,” said Fisher. “I’m glad I got to go and do what I did today. It’s something I’ve been working toward and glad it showed tonight. Throwing strikes, I had more command in the zone than I’ve had all year.
Fisher’s lone run came on a solo home run to Steven Milam.
Auburn’s offense got started in the 4th with a leadoff double from Snow, shortly followed by back-to-back RBI doubles from Ike Irish and Cooper McMurray. The offense and Snow stayed rolling in the 5th when Snow smoked a flyball over the centerfield wall scoring Britsol Carter, who walked to lead off the inning.
Relievers John Armstrong and Ryan Hetzler followed suit with strong outings of their own. Armstrong went 1.2 scoreless before Hetzler was called to sign the check. Hetzler, who has found himself in the closer role for Auburn, allowed three hits and one run during his 2.1 frames of work and earned a save.
“It’s the difference between being a poor ball club if you don’t have it, and average club if he can’t perform consistently and a chance to reach higher if somebody can settle a ballgame like that,” said Head Coach Butch Thompson. “This ball club feels great if Hetzler is on the mound.”
Consistency is the theme for Auburn Baseball right now, but not just the players. Plainsman Park saw another recording-breaking crowd for back-to-back series and nights. The record-breaking number was 7,231.
“If you see a turtle on a fence post, he didn’t get there by himself,” said Thompson. “I can’t even articulate how many people over the last 10 years have made tonight possible.
“These people that have been coming here for decades. Way before I got here and will be coming here way after I leave, all carried and created this.”
Auburn will be back for game three against the Bayou Bengals on Sunday, April 12, at 2 p.m. CDT at Plainsman Park. Andreas Alvarez (1-0) has been given the nod to start.
