Gators Snap Auburn’s Winning Streak in Low-Scoring Affair

Casey Mize (32)
Photo by Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics

Singer outduels Mize in Thursday’s series-opener

Thursday’s heavyweight bout between future first-round draft picks Casey Mize (8-2) and Brady Singer (9-1) lived up to the hype, with both pitchers nearly matching each other step-for-step.

Each starter lasted seven complete innings, and each allowed four hits to their opposition. Mize edged Singer in strikeouts, 10 to 8, and Singer allowed two fewer runs than Mize. Mize threw 110 pitches, Singer tossed 108. Both pitchers performed well enough to win, however, only one could walk away victorius. Unfortunately for Auburn, who traveled to Gainesville with a six-game winning streak, it was Mize who found himself on the losing end.

The difference? Jonathan India.

India, who is considered to be a strong candidate for the Golden Spikes Award, an award given to the nation’s top player at the collegiate level, was responsible for every run that Florida scored. He smashed his 14th home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the 1st inning that gave the Gators an early 2-0 lead. Nelson Maldonado reached one at-bat prior to India on an error by Josh Anthony at third base.

India crossed the plate for the final time in the 4th inning. He got hit by a pitch from Mize to lead off the inning, and stayed locked in at first base while the next two batters were retired. Mize ran into another mishap by allowing two straight two-out singles to Austin Langworthy and Brady Smith. Smith’s single to the left side scored India from 2nd base, moving Florida ahead 3-1, which ultimately capped off the scoring. India ended the day with two hits, half of Florida’s total.

Auburn’s lone score came in the top half of the 4th inning. Edouard Julien led off the inning with a single before Brendan Venter followed suit by getting hit by a pitch. With one out, Crawfordville, Florida native Jay Estes picked up an RBI on a ground out to shortstop, scoring Julien. Estes led the Tiger bats with two hits.

Friday’s a new day

One pitching battle is complete, but there’s another to look forward to.

Auburn freshman Tanner Burns (3-4) will take the mound for Auburn on Friday, going up against another key MLB prospect in Jackson Kowar (7-1). This will be a big game for Burns, who is coming off of his best start of the season when he struck out seven batters in seven shut out innings against Alabama.

Kowar, like Singer, is expected to be a first rounder in this year’s MLB Draft. He brings a mid-90s fastball, and has a filthy offspeed makeup as well.

Game Two: How to Watch, How to Listen

Game two is set to begin at 5:30 P.M. Central Friday night. The game will be broadcast online thanks to SEC Network+. Mick Hubert and Nick Belmonte will have the call.

For a more “homer” feel to the game, tune your radios to your local Auburn Sports Network affiliate for Rod Bramblett and Andy Burcham’s call beginning at 5:15 P.M. Auburn Sports Network coverage is also available on the TuneIn Radio App.