Dominant Pitching Leads Auburn past Ole Miss, Tigers Take Series
Davis Daniel struck out eight and allowed just four hits in Auburn's 9-1 win over Ole Miss on Friday
(Photo: Auburn Athletics/Wade Rackley)
#23 Auburn Baseball (34-21, 16-13 SEC) entered game two with Ole Miss on Friday night riding high following a win in Thursday’s match, which snapped a seven-game losing skid. The hot streak continued for the Tigers, as they earned a 9-1 win over the Rebels (31-24, 13-16 SEC), securing their seventh conference win of the season.
For the second night in a row, Auburn got the most out of their starting pitching.
Just one night after Keegan Thompson struck out eight batters while only walking two, freshman Davis Daniel controlled the opposition for just over six innings. Daniel got the nod after it was announced on Thursday night that Casey Mize would miss his start due to arm soreness, and answered the call in a big way.
Despite getting the start on such short notice, Daniel was able to control the Rebels in similar fashion as Thompson did the game prior. The freshman from Montgomery struck out eight batters over 6.1 innings, allowing just four hits and walking three batters. In the top of the seventh inning, after two Rebels reached base, Coach Butch Thompson elected to go to the bullpen and bring in Gabe Klobosits in relief. In a respectful gesture, Daniel exited the game to a standing ovation from the Plainsman Park crowd.
Thompson was able to limit his bullpen yet again, as Klobosits carried the load the rest of the game, pitching 2.2 innings while allowing three hits.
With a great outing, comes a great reward. The Auburn offense provided Daniel plenty of run support, scoring multiple runs in three different innings. All-in-all, seven of the ten batters to record an at-bat scored in the game, with Jay Estes and Jonah Todd reaching home twice.
Auburn quickly got on the board in the first inning thanks to a one-out single by Josh Anthony with the bases loaded. Jonah Todd and Daniel Robert each scored from their spot in scoring position, moving Auburn ahead 2-0.
The Tigers would score their final seven runs over the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings. Auburn’s lead grew to 4-0 in the 3rd inning on two RBI doubles by Estes and Blake Logan, and extended it one more run in the 4th inning on a Davis single that scored Dylan Ingram, who reached base earlier in the inning on a double.
Auburn capped scoring by hanging four runs on Ole Miss in the 5th inning. Estes tripled to left center to open the inning, and scored one at-bat later on a double by Bo Decker, extending the lead to 6-0. After Decker’s two-bagger, Will Holland found himself on the basepaths after taking a pitch to the hand. Each runner advanced 90 feet on a squeeze bunt by Todd, loading the bases for Robert. Robert showed patience at the plate, which ultimately paid off as he picked up an RBI by taking four pitches out of the zone, finding himself on first base with the lead growing to 7-0.
The decisive blow came off the bat of Davis, who sent a shot to the left field wall that created enough time for Holland and Robert to touch home plate, advancing the deficit to 9-0 Auburn.
The Rebels lone run came in the top of the seventh inning. Cooper Johnson singled with one out the inning, and would come across to score one at-bat later on a Tate Backman single.
Auburn looks to grab the sweep tomorrow against Ole Miss, as Andrew Mitchell gets the nod in the regular season finale. First pitch is set for 1 P.M. at Plainsman Park.
