Butch Thompson proud of how pitchers settled into the game vs. Stanford

Auburn didn’t get off to a great start against Stanford on Monday, allowing two runs in the first two innings of the College World Series matchup. But the Tigers settled in, and Butch Thompson was impressed.

After allowing two runs on four hits in the first two innings, Auburn settled in to hold the Cardinal scoreless on just four hits the rest of the way en route to a 6-2 victory. Thompson acknowledged the Tigers pitchers’ ability to settle in and come away with the victory. In fact, he didn’t have much doubt considering how Auburn pitched to start the CWS.

“We struck out 13 the other night. Struck out 16 batters today. I had no idea,” Thompson said. “And Trace [Bright], they hit him. He made a couple of breaking balls, but he just, he steadied himself and went to another level in the third. It’s a developmental piece where I’m proud of him.

“At the end of the day, he was going to make Stanford beat him and he finally settled in the ball game. He had eight strikeouts and no walks. [Blake Burkhalter] had five strikeouts and no walks. … He does have the ability, whatever you think the skill level is of Burkhalter, he can at least shove it in the strike zone. When you can do that the tenets of the baseball game usually work out. We get out of there with one walk and one hit batter against an offensive club. That gave us a chance.”

Blake Burkhalter reveals mindset before big seventh-inning strikeout with bases loaded

When Stanford loaded the bases in the seventh inning Monday, Auburn made a change, bringing in Blake Burkhalter out of the bullpen. The tying run was at the plate, meaning one swing could’ve turned a 6-2 Tigers lead into a tie game.

With a 3-2 count — and the threat of walking in a run looming — Burkhalter managed to strike Brett Barrera out, ending the threat and the inning. But that was a big spot, and he talked about how he got into the right mindset to make such a huge pitch.

“When I was coming in … you know the bases are loaded but you have to flush it,” Burkhalter said. “Your main focus is that first guy out of the pen. That’s what we focus on as a bullpen, and coming in there and being able to command some pitches.

“I don’t think I had my fastball command all day, but the cutter was working and the change-up was working and that’s what I had to lean on. I got, I think it was a 3-2 count, I was right on the brink of walking him. But thankfully, I had that strikeout and got us off the field.”