By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
Playing Monday on a warm and sunny late afternoon, the Auburn Eagles defeated the visiting Giles Spartans 10-0 in five innings, in a Class 1 Region C semi-final contest.
The Eagles scored three times in the first inning as Giles committed three huge errors. All the runs were unearned.
Canyon Calhoun’s single knocked in Matthew Altizer and Colin Roark. Calhoun would then score on two more errors. Roark had reached base on an error as well.
Auburn would then score twice in the second to go up, 5-0. Altizer’s single scored Aiden Smith, and then Roark hit a sac fly to score Altizer.
They would then tack on four runs in the bottom of the fourth with Roark, Alex Young and Jayden Lawrence knocking in runs and another unearned run as Giles committed their fourth error.
Auburn would then score its 10th run in the bottom of the fifth, with Roark knocking in Braxton Pettus for the run-ruled walkoff.
Roark had three RBI and scored two runs, and Calhoun had two RBI. Braxton Pettus scored three runs, and Altizer scored twice.
Altizer got the win as he pitched all five innings. He gave up just two hits and struck out nine. He allowed just three base runners for the game.
Eric Altizer, the Auburn head coach said, “I thought Matthew (Altizer) pitched really well. We got good at-bats from Colin (Roark), Braxton Pettus, Canyon Calhoun and Brody Hensel.”
Giles got two hits in the game, both by Skyler Keffer. The only other Spartan to reach base was Brier Underwood, as he drew a walk.
Miles Eppling started and took the loss on the mound. He pitched 3.1 innings, gave up six runs, but only three were earned. He surrendered five hits and struck out five.
Giles head coach Jordan Lytton remarked, “I am so proud of this team. We started slowly at the start of the season. Nobody expected us to be here today. Our only two losses in the postseason, we went (3-2 ), were to the state defending champions, Auburn. We lose five seniors, but we have some good kids coming. The errors early today got us behind.”
The win improved Auburn’s record to 19-4. They have now won 13 consecutive games and will play for the Class 1 Region C championship versus Fort Chiswell. The game is slated for Wednesday, June 3, at Christiansburg High School. First pitch will be either at 5 pm or 6 pm.
Giles – 0 0 0 0 0 – 0
Auburn-3 2 0 4 1 -10
Giles- 0 runs- 2 hits – 4 errors- 2 LOB
Auburn – 10 runs- 9 hits- 0 errors- 4 LOB
Giles- LP- Eppling
Auburn- WP – Altizer
