After Friday’s season-opening win against East Tennessee State, Auburn baseball coach Tom Slater criticized his players for not making the most of their offensive chances.

Saturday, the Tigers showed they were listening.

Auburn battered ETSU pitching throughout Saturday’s game and came away with a 12-1 win. The Tigers (2-0) finished with 14 hits. Even more pleasing for Slater, AU had few bad at-bats — pop-ups or strikeouts that failed to advance baserunners or pressure the defense.

Slater said most of the credit for that belonged to assistant coach Bill Mosiello, who made a suggestion in pregame batting practice.

“Mo had a great idea,” Slater said. “Our BP round today, they had to hit the ball hard on the ground or hit a line drive, or they didn’t get to hit any more.

“That was the focus in BP today and I think it translated over to the game.”

Auburn pounded ETSU starter Josh Means (0-1) for 10 runs. Freshman first baseman Hunter Morris led the way: Morris was 3-for-4 with three RBI.

In Friday’s game, ETSU (0-2) walked Auburn right fielder Mike Bianucci four times, choosing instead to pitch to Morris, AU’s cleanup hitter. Saturday, Morris proved he can make teams pay for that tactic.

“I was tired of seeing Nooch get walked and me leave him standing on first base,” Morris said.

The offense gave freshman starter Cory Luckie (1-0) plenty of margin for error. Not that the rookie left-hander needed much of a cushion.

Luckie threw five innings and didn’t walk a batter. He allowed one run on two hits and consistently threw strikes.

“Cory was outstanding,” Slater said. “He can really pitch.”

Sophomore Scott Shuman pitched three scoreless innings in relief; freshman Bradley Hendrix threw a perfect ninth.

The series continues today at 3 p.m. Sophomore right-hander Taylor Thompson will start for Auburn against ETSU right-hander Ty Sarchet.

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