Bucs Suffer 13-1 Setback at Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn Tigers (7-5) pounded out 17 hits and starter Will Kendall (1-0)went a career-high 6 1/3 innings in dropping Charleston Southern (4-6) on Saturday afternoon, 13-1.

Freshman centerfielder Bobby Ison had another solid outing for the Buccaneers, picking up a pair of hits. Ison's hitting streak is now at 10 games.

CSU starter Charlie McCready took the loss to fall to 1-2. McCready lasted only one inning, allowing two runs, and was forced to leave after taking a ball to the face in the second. 

Charleston Southern had first chance to strike after Ison led off with a single. Jaren Sustar laid down a sacrifice bunt that was booted by Kendall, putting runners at first and third. Kendall buckled down, however, getting Welch to pop up and forcing Walt Quattlebaum into an inning ending double play.

The Bucs again threatened in the second inning. A one out walk to Nick Berry got things going but he was retired at second when Alex Tomasovich grounded into a fielder’s choice. Robbie Streett came up with a two out single to right but Kendall recorded a strikeout to escape the jam.

Auburn would take advantage of the Bucs not scoring in the first two frames. They used a five-run second inning to grab an early advantage and cruised to victory. A four-run eighth sealed the deal for the Tigers.

Chase Shelton came on in a pinch hit role in the ninth for Charleston Southern and singled to center, scoring Cody Austin for the Bucs lone run. Austin reached base on an error and had advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Charleston Southern is back on the diamond tomorrow for their final game at the Auburn Invitational. They will take on Purdue, who is 2-0 on the weekend, at noon at Plainsman Park.