By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
Playing on a sunny, but windy afternoon, the defending Class 1 State Baseball Champion Auburn Eagles routed the visiting Giles Spartans 19-1 in a run-ruled game.
Auburn (4-0) scored early and often. They tallied 10 runs in the first inning and scored in all four of their at-bats. They had 10 players score at least one run, and eight players to collect a hit.
Senior Matthew Altizer got the win as he went three innings and allowed just two hits. He struck out six and walked just one. Canyon Calhoun pitched the last two innings, striking out five and giving up one hit.
The Giles Spartans (0-3) committed three huge errors, and their pitchers walked 12 batters. Brayden Manning took the mound loss, as he gave up six runs, four hits, and walked four in the first inning. He, Brady Thwaites and Jacob Mills had the only Spartan hits.
The Eagles’ Alex Young and Aiden Smith both had three RBI each. Altizer and Braxton Pettus produced two RBI each. Cody Flinchum scored four runs, and Colin Roark and Blake Shumate scored three runs apiece.
“We got some quality at bats, and Matthew pitched well, and so did Canyon ( Calhoun),” said Auburn head coach Eric Altizer.
Giles 0 0 0 0 1- 1
Auburn 10 2 3 4 x – 19
Giles 1 run – 3 hits- 3 errors – LOB 2
Auburn 19 runs – 8 hits – 1 error- LOB 5
Auburn – WP – M. Altizer
Giles – LP – B. Manning
