MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Auburn University at Montgomery baseball team (2-3; GSC: 0-0) picked up the series-opening win against Southern Wesleyan (1-2) on Friday afternoon at the AUM Baseball Complex in Montgomery, Alabama, defeating the Warriors 11–9.
Coach Franklin Bush's Quote
"Ultimately, these games come down to competing. You have to compete pitch in and pitch out. You have to live to fight the next pitch. We have to execute better in the zone on the mound. We gave away some at bats in the middle of the game. For us, we have to understand how much weight each pitch carries. Moving into tomorrow, my biggest thing is that we have to quit giving away pitches. For us, it's not just this game. It's been the first four games of just giving away pitches which results in us giving away at bats, whether it be on the mound or at the plate, which for us gives away innings. You can't get those back. To show toughness, to fight, to show grit; it's something that this team has shown since the fall. I know it's there. It's good for us confidence wise to come out with a W tonight."
HOW IT HAPPENED
AUM came out of the gates swinging in the bottom of the first, posting a five-run inning on seven hits to take early control of the contest. After a leadoff single from third baseman Kurt Kizer and a base hit by outfielder Christopher McNeill, and catcher Cannon Miller drove in the first run with an RBI single. Tucker Burns followed with an RBI double before Kyle Hipp cleared the bases with a two-run double to extend the lead. Dom Regira capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving the Warhawks a 5–1 advantage after the first inning.
The Warhawks' defense answered immediately in the top of the second, retiring Southern Wesleyan in order to preserve the four-run cushion. AUM was held scoreless in the second and third innings, while the Warriors trimmed the deficit with a two-run homer from Ryan Postnieks in the top of the fourth to make it 5–3.
AUM responded in a big way in the bottom of the fourth with another five-run inning to extend their lead. Brice Ainsworth reached first on a fielding error, and advanced to third on a double from Kizer. Ainsworth scored on a passed ball and Kizer moved to third. Later in the inning, Hipp provided the biggest swing of the game for the Warhawks with a three-run home run to left field, pushing the Warhawks' lead to 10–3.
Southern Wesleyan chipped away with two runs in the fifth, but AUM added an insurance run in the sixth to make it 11–5.
The Warriors mounted their biggest rally in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs with the help of a solo homerun from their outfielder Ethan Jarvis to pull within two. AUM's pitching staff was able to settle in and record the final outs of the inning to maintain the lead.
The Warhawks closed out the final two innings defensively, holding Southern Wesleyan scoreless in the eighth and ninth to secure the 11–9 victory in the series opener.
Notables
Kyle Hipp finished the day going 2-for-4 with six RBI, including a three-run home run in the fourth inning.
Kurt Kizer went 2-for-5, scoring two runs and adding a double.
Tucker Burns contributed a 2-for-3 outing with an RBI double.
Jackson Reed earned the win after pitching 5.0 innings, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out one and issuing one walk.
The Warhawks capitalized on two big innings, scoring five runs in the first and five more in the fourth.
AUM recorded three doubles in the win.
AUM only stranded four runners, compared to 10 left on base by Southern Wesleyan.
The Warhawks drove in 10 RBI on 11 runs scored.
Up Next
The Warhawks will play the final two games of the series at the AUM Athletics Complex against Southern Wesleyan, with the first pitch set for 12 pm.
