Doubledays Offense Explodes in Game 1 Victory

The Auburn Doubledays opened up their best-of-three playoff series with the Oneonta Tigers Saturday evening with a 17-4 victory. The Doubledays scored in five of their eight innings, all five times scoring multiple runs.

Nick Thomas began the scoring with a two-run home run in the second inning, and finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a double. Ryan Patterson also had a huge game going 2-for-6 with a home run, three runs batted in, a double, and two runs scored. Brian Bormaster was the third Doubledays to homer in the victory, adding the grand slam variety in the seventh inning. The All-Star catcher finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored, a double, and also drew two walks.

Two players who joined Auburn during the middle of their season also contributed nicely in the victory. Shortstop Chris Gutierrez went 3-for-5 with two runs batted in, a double and a run scored. Leftfielder Jacob Butler went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI.

Cory Patton was the on-base machine for Auburn, reaching base in all five of his plate appearances and scoring three times. Patton went 1-for-1 with four walks in the game. Sean Shoffit drove in two runs, Joey Metropoulos added a sacrifice fly RBI. Jermy Acey also drove in a run, as did Emmanuel Sena, who went 2-for-2 with a run scored.

All nine of the Doubledays starters had at least one RBI in the victory. Auburn had 17 hits in the victory, 9 of them extra-base hits. They also drew nine walks in the victory.

Not to be forgotten in the victory is starting pitcher Eric Fowler, who tossed seven innings of one-run ball. The left-hander allowed just four hits, issued one walk, and struck out four batters. Jesse Litsch came on in relief of Fowler and pitched a scoreless eighth inning before departing.