Thompson Lights Out, Auburn Shuts Down Holy Cross

Keegan Thompson records six strikeouts and allows only one hit in eight innings of work on Friday vs Holy Cross (Photo: Auburn Athletics/Wade Rackley)

Auburn Baseball returned to Plainsman Park on Friday to open a three-game set with Holy Cross. After a dominate performance on the mound and a hot start at the plate, Auburn shut out the Crusaders 7-0 to open the series. Keegan Thompson got the start on the mound to open the series on a warm, sunny day on the Plains and quickly set the tone of the game. He earned his first strikeout of the season during the first at-bat of the game when he sat down Holy Cross’ Josh Hassell swinging. He allowed a double to the next batter, but that would be the last time a Crusader would reach the base paths via the hit. Thompson’s shutout performance lasted eight complete innings, he struck out six, allowing one hit and a walk. He retired 24 of the 27 batters he faced. Besides the double in the first inning to Alex Gionis, Holy Cross reached base on a fielder’s choice in the first inning, a walk in the seventh inning, and a hit by pitch to begin the eighth. Thompson is now 2-0 in his return season following Tommy John surgery in 2016. Corey Herndon finished the game in the ninth inning, allowing a walk. Auburn’s bats played a role in the win, as everyone in the starting lineup recorded a hit. Leading the way was left fielder, Bo Decker. Decker was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with 2 RBI, the third straight game that he has had three hits in a game. Third baseman Josh Anthony also collected two hits and a RBI. Auburn opened the game by sending four runs across the plate, beginning with three consecutive singles by Luke Jarvis, Jay Estes, and Daniel Robert. Robert’s single scored Jarvis, giving Auburn their first lead, 1-0. Anthony hit a sacrifice fly in the next at-bat, scoring Estes. Dylan Ingram recorded a RBI double, and Decker earned his first RBI on a single in the inning. Jonah Todd scored in the sixth inning on a wild pitch and hit an RBI triple to the gap in left-center in the eighth inning to cap the scoring. Todd later came around to score after a Decker sacrifice fly. Auburn moves to 5-1 on the season. Game two of their series with Holy Cross is scheduled for 12 P.M. Saturday inside Plainsman Park. Casey Mize is slated to start for Auburn.