March 2, 2018
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AUBURN, Ala. -- Freshman Edouard Julien drove in four runs and the Auburn pitching staff matched a season-low by allowing three hits as the Tigers defeated BYU, 4-3, Friday night at Plainsman Park.
With the win, Auburn improves to 10-0 and continues its best start to a season since going 13-0 to open the 2001 season. It marks the fourth time in program history the Tigers have started a season 10-0 or better. The win was also the Auburn's fourth one-run victory of the year.
"Edouard Julien was a huge story with the three-run home run in the second inning and a sac fly later in the game," said head coach Butch Thompson. "To BYU's credit, they're good enough to where if you give them five outs in an inning, they're going to scratch on you. Calvin Coker gave us a great outing. He really settled down, started affecting swings and took us all the way to the house. All in all, our guys continue to play the game."
Starting pitcher Casey Mize (3-0, 3.31) earned his third straight win to start the season after matching a season-high with nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Mize didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning. Coker pitched the final 3.2 innings in scoreless and hitless fashion and earned his second save of the season.
Out of the opposite dugout, BYU starting pitcher Jordan Wood (0-1, 3.71) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in 5.0 innings of work.
With a pair of runners in scoring position, Julien got the Tigers offense going in the bottom of the second inning as he hit a 1-2 slider over the fence in right field for his first collegiate home run. Julien became the fourth Auburn newcomer to homer this season, and the four new Tigers have accounted for seven of the team's nine long balls.
Auburn tacked on another run two innings later when Julien stepped to the plate in his second at-bat and drove in Brett Wright on a sac fly to deep center field.
BYU got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning after an error started the frame and came back to bite the Tigers. The Cougars then cut the lead to one on a two-RBI double to left-center field from cleanup hitter Nate Favero.
However, Coker entered the game with the tying run in scoring position and recorded the final two outs of the frame to avoid further damage. He then cruised in the final three inning to secure the save.
Conor Davis and Will Holland continued their consistent play by reaching base for the 10th straight game to begin the season. Brendan Venter went 2-for-4 on the night and extended his hitting streak to seven games. It was Venter's sixth multi-hit game in the last seven contests.
Auburn and BYU will complete the three-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT, and the second game will begin 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Sophomore Davis Daniel (1-0, 5.40) will start the first game on the mound while Freshman Tanner Burns (1-0, 0.75) will start the second.