Tigers' No. 1 pick Mize roughed up in potential final NCAA start

If this was Casey Mize's last turn on the mound in an Auburn uniform, it certainly won't be an outing he'll look back on fondly.

Mize, who was chosen No. 1 overall by the Detroit Tigers on Monday, got shelled during Auburn's Super Regional opener against Florida on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits in an eventual 8-2 Gators victory.

The 21-year-old walked four batters, a personal high during his stellar collegiate career, and surrendered seven hits over five innings. Only 57 of his 94 pitches went for strikes.

"I didn't throw a lot of strikes, I walked four guys and hit one," Mize told Tom Green of AL.com postgame. "I don't know the last time I walked four guys. I just couldn't get ahead. I couldn't stay in the strike zone. I don't know; I was leaving a bunch of stuff up and they were putting good swings on balls."

Mize was out-dueled by Florida right-hander Brady Singer, who was taken 18th overall by Kansas City and, like Mize, is a finalist for this year's Golden Spikes Award. Singer scattered two runs over his 6 2/3 innings of work while striking out nine to help give Florida a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series.

Mize's prestigious career at Auburn could come to an end on Sunday, when the Tigers look to save their season in Game 2. He's expected to sign with Detroit and turn pro once Auburn's season ends.