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2/02/24

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH
FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN -- The well ran dry on the road for No. 16 Auburn University men's basketball (16-4), as it ended its 11-game win streak with the first pair of consecutive losses this season in its past two games.
After falling short of a comeback against Alabama in a thriller in Tuscaloosa, the Tigers continued their offensive slump in a hard-fought loss at Mississippi State on Saturday. Auburn fell eight spots in the AP Poll and are now tied for third in the SEC after the losses.
"There's something to be said for beating the people you're supposed to beat, and we've done that. Not many people are going to come in here and beat (the teams we played)," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "We'd like to think that we had a shot at it, but we didn't get enough step up. You have to step up and be able to make plays."
Following are some highlights from Auburn's two most recent matchups.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24:
AUBURN 75, ALABAMA 79
Just when Auburn looked unbeatable, Alabama handed Auburn its first loss since Dec. 3 inside a rowdy Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide shot the lights out in the first half with eight 3-pointers to take a 14-point lead to halftime - the first time Auburn had trailed at the break all season. Auburn turned the game in its favor in the second half, but it got too reliant on Johni Broome, its senior leader.
When Broome fouled out with 8.6 seconds left in the game, he had his eighth double-double of the season behind 25 points and 14 rebounds. His foul sent Alabama's Mark Sears, the SEC's leading scorer, to the free-throw line, where he splashed both shots to make it a four-point game. Alabama then sealed the win with a stop on the other end.
Auburn fought back to outscore Alabama in the second half, 45-35, but it failed to limit the opportunities for Alabama's high-flying offense. Offensively, Broome seemed to be Auburn's only answer, and Auburn was left asking what could've been after missing a few free-throws in the final moments of the game.
Sears led Alabama with 22 points, but he was just one of four Alabama players to score in double figures, including a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double from Grant Nelson. Broome was the highest scorer and rebounder in the game, but Auburn's next-highest scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, was Broome's only teammate to reach double-digits in scoring with 11 points.
With a deep bench and no one averaging more than 24 minutes per game, the Tigers are not often reliant on a single player for production. However, the last two times Auburn has lost, Broome has tallied a 20-point game with no other starters with 10 or more points. In 25 minutes of play, Broome was also busy defensively, with five blocks before reaching five fouls.
Broome even opened the game by making a 3-pointer, but Auburn missed on its next nine threes and went 5-for-25 from beyond the arch in comparison to Alabama's 11-for-30.
Although Auburn limited Alabama to three 3-point makes in the second half, the Tide created just enough behind 16 offensive rebounds and 16-of-19 makes from the free-throw line, while Auburn left two crucial points at the line in crunch time - one of which would've tied the game with 13 seconds remaining.
Despite a comeback bid from the Tigers, Alabama hit its final six free throws, along with an emphatic put-back dunk by Nelson, to sink the Tigers and set up a rematch between the two in Auburn on Feb. 7.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27:
AUBURN 58, MISSISSIPPI ST 64
Auburn had its worst offensive performance of the season in its first back-to-back loss of the season to Mississippi State (14-6) in Starkville.
The Bulldogs outrebounded the Tigers, 45-30, and Auburn shot its worst percentage of the season - 33.9% on field goals - by nearly 5%. Auburn changed up the starting five, where K.D. Johnson and Tre Donaldson replaced Aden Holloway and Denver Jones. No lineup change could overcome the tight Bulldog defense, though, as the result was a new season-low 58 points.
Neither team shot particularly well, and the game was tied at just 21 at halftime. The teams shot a combined 11-for-45 on 3-pointers, and Mississippi State only made 9-of-18 free throws. Ultimately, the Bulldogs' 14 offensive rebounds and 43.9% on field goals gave them the advantage.
In the defensive battle, Mississippi State's Cameron Matthews had an impact all around the floor with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double along with two assists, two blocks and a steal. Matthews was one of three double-figure scorers on the team, while Auburn had just two.
For the second game in a row, Johni Broome led Auburn in scoring despite finishing under his average with 14 points. Jaylin Williams joined him with 10 points but continued his cold shooting. The senior finished the week 6-for-20 from the floor and 0-of-7 on 3-pointers.
A diamond in the rough in a matchup of tough defenses and struggling offenses, Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard led his team in scoring for the second straight game with 17 points, highlighted by 3-for-9 from beyond the arch.
A late, 3-point dagger from Hubbard helped clinch a huge win for a Bulldog team that entered the game in the "Last Four In." Mississippi State denied Auburn of its first quadrant one win, instead handing it its third loss to an unranked opponent.
Looking to return to its winning ways, Auburn will take a sigh of relief as it returns to Neville Arena for a rematch with Vanderbilt (5-14) at 8 p.m. CST on Wednesday.

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Auburn men fall in back- to-back SEC games

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BY NOAH GRIFFITHFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN -- The well ran dry on the road for No. 16 Auburn University men's basketball (16-4), as it ended its 11-game win streak with the first pair of consecutive l...

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1/25/24

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Auburn men’s basketball team breaks into AP Top 10

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Victories over Vandy, Ole Miss extend winning streak to 11 BY NOAH GRIFFITH | FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN –– With 11 wins in a row, No. 8 Auburn Universit

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1/15/24

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH | FOR THE OBSERVER

Auburn -- No. 16 Auburn men's basketball (14-2, 3-0) won its ninth consecutive game with a 93-78 win over LSU on Saturday.

The victory over LSU (10-6) was its eighth in that stretch by 15 points or more - all of which have come by double digits. It was its third straight win to start SEC play, while previously unbeatens Kentucky, Georgia and LSU went down. That leaves Alabama and Auburn as the only teams without a loss in conference play.

"I feel like every game we're clicking even more on and off the court," said junior guard Chad Baker-Mazara. "I'm still trying to get a little bit more, but it will come."

LSU went on a 9-0 scoring run to bring the game within single digits with 5:34 left in the game, but Baker-Mazara quickly turned the tides with his third 3-pointer of the night and Auburn ran away with the win.

Baker-Mazara notched his season-high in scoring with 19 points off the bench on 5-for-10 shooting, and he led the swipe party with six of the team's 16 steals. The team forced 17 LSU turnovers and turned them into 26 points.

"Chad's length and his IQ - he's a problem out there," Pearl said. "He's so versatile, offensively. The fact that he knocked down three threes tonight, shot a good percentage, I trust him as a playmaker and obviously trust him defensively."

Following Baker-Mazara's lead, Johni Broome dropped 18 points, capitalizing on his three steals and seven rebounds. Joining the big men in double figures, Aden Holloway splashed three more 3-pointers to notch 13 points on the night.

Auburn was hot from the start, jumping out to a 17-point halftime lead after Holloway got the game started with two threes in the first 2:23. LSU showed some fight, but it couldn't keep up with Auburn without its top scorer in the last 16 minutes of the game.

LSU's leading scorer, Jalen Cook, scored seven points in the first 3:28 of the game but didn't score again, as he left the game after the first four minutes of the second half and didn't return.

In his absence, Auburn limited the prolific guard duo of Cook and Jordan Wright to 25 points combined. While Wright and Trae Hannibal each put up 18 points and Tyrell Ward hit four straight shots from beyond the arch, LSU's offensive explosiveness was dampened by the constant turnovers.

After Baker-Mazara's 3-pointer extended Auburn's lead to 12 with just over four minutes to play, Auburn's sound shooting from the free-throw line propelled it to the buzzer. It went 27-for-31 from the free-throw line, led by a perfect 6-of-6 from Baker-Mazara to close out Auburn's third straight win over LSU.

With Pearl's 187 th win at Auburn, he moved into second in all-time wins as a head coach for Auburn basketball. He surpassed Cliff Ellis (1994-04) and now trails only Joel Eaves (1949-63), who has 213 victories.

Pearl will go for win No. 188, his tenth straight, in Nashville on Wednesday, January 17, when it takes on Vanderbilt (5-11) at 8 p.m. CST.

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Auburn MBB Extends Win Streak to Nine With Defeat of LSU

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH | FOR THE OBSERVER Auburn -- No. 16 Auburn men's basketball (14-2, 3-0) won its ninth consecutive game with a 93-78 win over LSU on Saturday. The victory over LSU (10-6) was its ei...

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1/06/24

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH | FOR THE OBSERVER

PHOTO BY ZACH BLAND | AUBURN TIGERS

AUBURN - The start of SEC play didn't slow down Auburn University men's basketball one bit.

Arkansas fans stormed the court after beating No. 1 Auburn the last time the Tigers visited Bud Walton Arena. This time, Auburn (12-2) came out on top, 83-51, to extend its winning streak to seven games. Auburn has won each of those seven games by 15 points or more, and the 32-point win was the sixth win in that stretch by 20 or more. Not to mention, it was the biggest deficit the Hogs had ever lost by inside Bud Walton Arena, which dates back to 1993.

"That history does matter," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "Doing it at a place like this, or if you could do it at (Kentucky) or if you could do it at Tennessee, it does mean more because those are some of the toughest places in the SEC to play."

Both offenses got off to a slow start before Chad Baker-Mazara scored seven points in the final four minutes of the first half to give Auburn a 37-30 lead going to halftime.

The Tigers took over from there. Auburn outscored Arkansas, 46-21, in the second half as Auburn rode Baker-Mazara's second straight 16-point effort off the bench to the win. Johni Broome (14), Jaylin Williams (11) and Tre Donaldson (11) all joined Baker-Mazara in double figures in scoring as it shot 48.6% as a team while holding Arkansas to 31%.

With a dominant win over Arkansas (9-5), Auburn continues to build an impressive resume that only consist of two losses by a combined six points. It looks to continue that on Tuesday, as it returns home to face Texas A&M.

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Auburn MBB Carries Win Streak Into SEC Play

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH | FOR THE OBSERVER PHOTO BY ZACH BLAND | AUBURN TIGERS AUBURN - The start of SEC play didn't slow down Auburn University men's basketball one bit. Arkansas fans stormed the c...

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1/06/24

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN - Auburn University men's basketball (11-2) is riding a six-game win streak into conference play with double-digit wins over Chattanooga and Penn to finish out its non-conference slate.
The Tigers have won five of those six games by 20 or more points and each of them by double digits. Auburn finished its 2023 slate, which dates back to last season, with a 20-13 record before starting 2024 with a victory over Penn.
Next up for the Tigers is SEC play, and they are jumping straight into the fire with a game at Arkansas on Saturday before returning to host Texas A&M on Tuesday.
"It's not the easiest way to start the conference, but we're playing well right now," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "Last time we were at Arkansas, they stormed the court. It'll be everything we want and then some."
Here's some highlights from each of Auburn's wins inside Neville Arena.
Saturday, Dec. 30: Auburn 101 - Chattanooga 66
Auburn closed out 2023 with its second 100-point scoring performance of the season behind another stellar showing from Jaylin Williams against the Mocs (8-5).
With his third 20-point performance in the last five games, Williams' 21 points led the Tigers' trio of double-digit scorers. That was his third time leading the team in scoring this season, and he did it behind a 9-for-9 shooting night from the floor - including 2-of-2 on 3-pointers.
After the contest, the graduate senior had tallied 87 points, 21 rebounds, 14 assists, five steals and five turnovers over the previous five games. He rose to second on the team, behind Johni Broome's 15.1 points per game, with 11.8 points a game in his final year on The Plains.
Because the game was just hours after Auburn football's bowl game in Nashville, there was no band and no cheerleaders cheering on the Tigers in this one. Nonetheless, Auburn got out to a 12-0 lead to start the game and never looked back. The student section, along with the rest of Neville Arena, still had enough firepower after the football team's loss earlier in the day.
"The Auburn family, the Jungle always does its job," Broome said. "It was enough."
Tuesday, January 2: Auburn 88 - Penn 68
Broome notched his seventh double-double of the season, and Chad Baker-Mazara put up a season-high 16 points to propel the newly-ranked, No. 25 Tigers to a 20-point win over Penn (8-7).
Auburn got out to another scorching start with 10 3-pointers in the first half, and Broome made a season-high three of them in the game. Despite going 2-for-16 from beyond the arch in the second half, Auburn found its rhythm behind a spark from K.D. Johnson and the bench.
Williams cooled down after making his first two threes for just eight points in the game, but Broome dropped 24 and the bench went off for 43 points.
Led by six assists from Aden Holloway, Auburn guards continued to feed the hot hand and hold the advantage in assists (19-11) as it has in every game this season. Johnson, along with 13 points, tallied four assists along with three from Donaldson, while those three guards combined committed just one turnover.
The Tigers stayed hot, getting its second straight fast start heading into its SEC opener at Arkansas (9-4) on Saturday at 1 p.m. CST.

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN - Auburn University men's basketball (11-2) is riding a six-game win streak into conference play with double-digit wins over Chattanooga and Penn to finish ...

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12/26/23

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My 2 1/2 years at Auburn flew right on by, and I walked across the Neville Arena stage on Dec. 9 with purpose I never would've known had I not stepped into The Plainsman' s interest meeting on the first day of the 2021 fall semester.

After I was diagnosed with a progressive, neuromuscular disease called Friedreichs Ataxia (FA) toward the end of my high school days, I went through community college with little excitement, much less a plan, for my future.

But in my time with The Plainsman, I quickly stumbled upon the power of journalism in a way I never imagined. I discovered the platform to help spread empathy and speak up for those who don't have the platform to do so themselves - even through something as simple as sports.

My entire outlook on life changed for good in the spring of 2022. It began as an e-mail to former Auburn University President Jay Gouge, but it ended up as a column about my experiences with Auburn basketball games as a disabled student. Little did I know it would put accessibility in the spotlight and spark change toward a more inclusive student body.

My dad, who I asked to proofread the "letter," urged me to get it published in the student newspaper instead, and the rest is history. The column got thousands of likes and shares on social media. I received messages from Auburn alumni and professors. The script flipped, and several media outlets did stories on me and even Paul Finebaum took notice and had me on his show to talk about my story and the power of student journalism.

That sparked my journalism journey, and from there, I got to cover a ton of historic sporting events - everything from Cadillac Williams' first game as head football coach to Auburn baseball's 2022 run to the College World Series. Then, I finished my Plainsman tenure by switching things up from sports and instead, helping other minority students find their voices in my student etiquette series.

None of that would've been possible without the people I had the pleasure of working with at The Plainsman, believing in me before I believed in myself.

Without the encouragement from former sports editors Mattison McWhorter, Caleb Jones and Henry Zimmer, I might have quit after a horrendous first story on Auburn's volleyball game versus UNA. Instead, my name appeared on seven stories during my first semester, and I ended up writing more than 130 stories for the Plainsman.

Without the unrelenting support of Kristen Carr, then podcast editor and now editor-in-chief, helping me find the confidence to speak on a podcast for the first time, I would've fainted in my three appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. I stumbled over my words on more occasions than a few that first time, but she never gave up on me.

Without Evan Mealins and Destini Ambus, former Plainsman editor-in-chiefs, having more confidence in me than I had in myself, I never could've imagined rising from nervous writer to sports reporter after one semester, then to assistant sports editor not even a full semester later. They have been incredible examples for me to look up to and have gone on to be remarkable reporters.

Without the ever-helpful and diligent Callie Stanford, who I served under as assistant sports editor, I wouldn't have such fond memories at the maze that was the 2022 SEC Football Media Day. We went on probably 200 elevators, but we still made it in time to star on the Paul Finebaum Show that afternoon. We ran an incredible sports section, and no one can tell me otherwise.

Without the photography mastermind, Larry Robinson, former Plainsman photo editor, I'm convinced nobody would've batted an eye at the 100+ sports stories I wrote. I don't know that I would have survived Auburn basketball's first-round exit in the 2022 SEC Tournament after traveling to Tampa over spring break, either.

Without the unwavering friendship and mentorship of Daniel Schmidt, former assistant news editor, I would've lost myself in the dark times that life brought my way last year.

Without all those people (and many more I could mention), I wouldn't be leaving Auburn the confident, passionate and hopeful man I am today. I'm forever grateful to you, The Auburn Plainsman.

To everyone who has read my stories, I deeply appreciate you - you have given me the platform to find my voice.

The Plainsman is old, 130-years-old in fact, but it has so much more breath in its lungs. Keep reading. Thank you and goodbye.

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

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COLUMN | Goodbye, Plainsman - The Auburn Plainsman

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One Plainsman writer recounts his experience at the newspaper and all the ways he has grown since his start. As he graduates with a degree in journalism, he thanks everyone who believed in him and the people who read and listened to his words throughout the years.

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12-27-23

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Jaylin Williamsand K.D. Johnson both broke 1,000 in total career points at last Friday's game against Alabama State. Williams scored 20 points in the game, while Johnson added 13. PHOTOS BY ZACH BLAND AND JAMIE HOLT | AUBURN TIGERS

BY NOAH GRIFFITH | FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN -- Seniors K.D. Johnson and Jaylin Williams notched 1,000 career points inside Neville Arena on Friday night, as Auburn University men's basketball (9-2) topped Alabama State, 82-62.
With 20 points, Williams also led the team in scoring for the second time this season and the first time outright. During Auburn's four-game win streak, he's scored 66 points with 16 rebounds, 13 assists, four steals and four turnovers.
"Congratulations to Jaylin Williams," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "What a great game he had on both ends of the floor. He has been tremendously consistent over the last couple weeks. It was also great to see K.D. - that ball going in for him. I thought K.D. brought great energy into his rotation at the start of the first half where it really kind of ignited our defense."
Along with Williams' second 20-point scoring performance of the season, Johnson tallied 13 off the bench, thanks to a 3-for-5 shooting night from 3-point range.
Starting his career in 2020 as a Georgia Bulldog, the Atlanta native transferred to Auburn as a sophomore. After going back-and-forth between starter and bench player in his first two years at Auburn, he has settled into a role off the bench in his senior year and has sparked the Tigers with 7.5 points per game.
Known for his energetic, aggressive defense, Johnson added a pair of steals to his career night on Friday while racking up his third double-digit scoring performance of the season. However, he only needed a pair of three balls to go down to surpass the 1,000 mark. He put up just two 3-pointers in the first half, and - to the enjoyment of his teammates - he did just that.
"I was trying to see what they were jumping on me for," Johnson said. "But they hadn't turned around, and then I heard it on the intercom. It kind of lit me up going through that. I appreciate that moment."
As a fifth-year senior, Williams has been "Mr. Consistent" in his time at Auburn. He's never been the standout or the flashiest player on the floor, but he knows how to show out when the team needs him.
After breaking out with 10.9 points a game in the 2020-21 season, he took a back seat to Jabari Smith Jr. and Walker Kessler the next season with 5.6 a game before averaging 11.2 points a game last season and again 10.9 in his final campaign on The Plains so far.
The Newnan, Georgia, native notched 1,000 career points after Johnson in the second half on a lay-up in transition before putting his versatility on display with a monstrous alley-oop slam on the ensuing possession.
"I have to say: it's about time," Williams said with a smile. "I've been around a little while."
Along with the individual accolades, the Tigers continued to out-rebound (41-27) and tally more assists (14-7) than opponents. Despite turning the ball over 18 times, they forced just as many turnovers and shot 7% better from the floor than Alabama State.
With his sixth double-double of the season, Johni Broome returned to form with 16 points and 13 rebounds along with three steals and three blocks.
While the big men led the scoring drive this time, Aden Holloway and Tre Donaldson continued to move the ball with flair - racking up four assists a piece. That, along with Johnson's 13 points, led another impressive outing from the Auburn guards.
Auburn dominated all areas of the court in Auburn's 50th consecutive nonconference win at home, dating back to 2015. Auburn is now 5-0 at home this season with its fifth win by 20 or more.
The Tigers continue to roll through its non-conference slate, improving to 9-2 with its fourth consecutive win. They will look to stay hot as they return home to take on Chattanooga on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 8 p.m. before wrapping up non-conference play the following Tuesday.

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Pair of Tigers claim milestone in recent win

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Jaylin Williamsand K.D. Johnson both broke 1,000 in total career points at last Friday's game against Alabama State. Williams scored 20 points in the game, while Johnson added 13. PHOTOS BY Z...

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12/13/23

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Holiday Hoopsgiving BY NOAH GRIFFITH | FOR THE OBSERVER PHOTOS BY JAMIE HOLT AND ZACH BLAND | AU TIGERS Aden Holloway was named SEC Player of the Week for the second time this season. Graduate seni…

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11/16/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER | PHOTO BY JAMIE HOLT, AUBURN TIGERS

AUBURN - Auburn University men's basketball went as its bench went on Friday night as the Tigers secured their first win of the season at home over Southeast Louisiana, 86-71.
After shooting 4-for-18 as a team to start the game, Aden Holloway and K.D. Johnson came off the bench and wasted no time in providing a spark for the Tigers, as they led an Auburn bench that outscored the starting five 46-40.
With the offense struggling out of the gate, Holloway and Johnson scored 12 straight points for Auburn, increasing its lead from six to 13 with 3:18 left in the opening half. Including a pair of 3-pointers in that run, Holloway sank three shots from beyond the arch in the game to tally 11 points after scoring 19 in his debut versus Baylor.
Sparked by the bench, Auburn went on to shoot 41.4% from the field in the game, including 11-for-32 from 3-point range. The team eclipsed 80 points for the second consecutive game after ranking 151st in the NCAA with 72.8 points per game last season, and bench play is a big factor in the offensive improvement for the Tigers through week one of the season.
Starting center Johni Broome has made it tough with two double-doubles and a team-high 18 points versus SE Louisiana, but the bench has outscored the starting five through two games, 85-83.
Broome, Auburn's leading scorer from a year ago, was the only double-figure scorer among the starters on Friday, while Holloway, Johnson and Chad Baker-Mazara all scored double figures off the bench.
Just when starting forward Jaylin Williams looked like he was changing that trend with two consecutive swishes from beyond the arch, SE Louisiana went on an 8-0 scoring run to draw its deficit to seven with 7:30 left in the second half.
Again on their heels with a single-digit lead, the Tigers got a boost from their bench for the second time in the game and coasted from there. Right away, Auburn responded with a 9-2 run, capped off by a pair of 3-pointers from Johnson and Holloway.
It wasn't as easy as the score implies, but a Baker-Mazara dunk sealed Auburn's 46th consecutive non-conference win at home by 15 points.
While Auburn won decisively, it once again allowed more free-throw opportunities than it took. SE Louisiana got 22 shots from the charity stripe, while the Tigers went to the line 20 times.
Shooting 85% on free throws, out rebounding SE Louisiana 46-33 and leading 7-1 in blocked shots allowed Auburn to dominate the game, but the Tigers only forced one turnover in the second half, losing the turnover battle 11-9 and allowing the Lions to hang around and get their guards open looks in transition.
Auburn didn't face a 6-foot-5 guard like it did with Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter, but SE Louisiana guards Roger McFarlane and Rosco Eastmond combined for 39 of its 71 points. McFarlane added 11 rebounds for a double-double of his own. However, the Lions struggled to find scoring options outside of those two, and Auburn locked down the perimeter, only allowing five 3-pointers.
Offensively, Auburn continued its impeccable ball movement, racking up 21 assists after recording 18 against Baylor. Starting guards Tre Donaldson and Jones led the way in that category with four apiece. Nine different players assisted on buckets, and Johnson and Holloway each added three.
11 players saw the court again for Auburn, but the same veteran-freshman duo continued their stealthy starts to the season. Broome recorded his second straight double-double after putting up nine total last season, and Holloway came off the bench for his second straight double-digit scoring performance to start his college career.
Auburn improved to 1-1 on the season ahead of a trip to Brooklyn, New York, to face Notre Dame on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. CST.

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AU Men's BB Rides Bench to First Win of Season

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER | PHOTO BY JAMIE HOLT, AUBURN TIGERS AUBURN - Auburn University men's basketball went as its bench went on Friday night as the Tigers secured their first win of th...

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11/16/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER | PHOTO BY STEPHEN LEONARD, AUBURN TIGERS

SOUIX FALLS, S.D. -
It goes down as a loss in the record books, but Auburn University men's basketball returns home from South Dakota with high hopes for the future despite falling 88-82 to No. 20 Baylor to open the 2023-24 campaign on Tuesday, Nov.7.
Auburn's top two scorers came into the game with their health in question, but freshman phenom Aden Holloway and junior Johni Broome ended up looking like a force to be reckoned with. Holloway led the team with 19 points and six assists in 27 minutes in his debut, and Broome posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite a valiant effort from Auburn's duo against ranked competition, they failed to secure a win late in the game. Holloway's third turnover with 3:19 left in the game led to a 3-pointer from Baylor's RayJ Dennis to tie the game. Baylor outscored Auburn 11-5 from there, while Broome fouled out with 27 seconds on the clock.
Auburn led 43-34 at halftime, but ball control and putting Baylor at the free-throw line 34 times caught up to the Tigers, allowing Baylor's 5-star freshman, 6-foot-5 guard Ja'Kobe Walter, to rally for 28 points in his college debut.
The turnover battle was in the Tigers' favor all game long, but it ended in a 15-15 tie, allowing the Bears to seize control late in the game and force 32 fouls from Auburn. The Bears took advantage of it, shooting 79.4% from the free-throw line and converting on 10 more opportunities than the Tigers.
Although Auburn struggled with fouls, it was the more efficient team offensively.
For a team that ranked 320th in the nation in 3-point percentage and 151st in points per game last season, Auburn saw an offensive renaissance to start its season with four new guards. Behind seven combined made 3-pointers between starter Denver Jones and Holloway, Auburn tied Baylor at 9-for-19 from beyond the arch and shot 44.4% from the floor, a point better than Baylor.
The efficient shooting started with swift ball movement. Auburn racked up 18 assists, nine in each half. Holloway led the team with six assists, followed by Cardwell with four, and eight different players assisted on buckets.
Bench play also allowed Auburn to stay fresh. The Tigers' bench put up 39 points, and Auburn rotated in 11 players. Led by 27 minutes from Holloway off the bench, five players played more than 20 minutes for Auburn, including starters Jones, Broome, Jaylin Williams and Chris Moore.
Defensively, Cardwell had a great impact with five blocks in 14 minutes, and Chad Baker-Mazara gathered two steals in 12 minutes. Despite a healthy guard rotation for Auburn, it was Walter who gave it fits. The Tigers struggled to contain him from any area of the court, as he was a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe and 4-for-7 from 3-point land in 34 minutes.
Outside of the outstanding performance from Walter, only seniors Jalen Bridges and Dennis eclipsed 10 points for Baylor. Bridges had a solid all-around impact with 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block, while committing no turnovers.
Improving free-throw output offensively and defensively is the main category where Auburn will need to improve going forward. Auburn made 17-of-25 free shots in addition to giving the Bears 34 tries.
However, the areas where it struggled are manageable, while the categories in which it saw improvement were the ones that led to an early exit in the NCAA Tournament last season. Baylor is the first ranked season-opener for Auburn of this decade, allowing Auburn to grow and adjust early in the season.
Auburn will go into its home opener on Friday, Nov. 10, against SE Louisiana already battle tested and with a concrete picture of its abilities.

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AU hopeful despite opening basketball season with loss

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER | PHOTO BY STEPHEN LEONARD, AUBURN TIGERS SOUIX FALLS, S.D. -It goes down as a loss in the record books, but Auburn University men's basketball returns home from S...

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11-08-23

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Newcomers shine at AU Men’s BB exhibition win

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BY NOAH GRIFFITHFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN— It didn’t take long for several transfers to make themselves at home when Auburn University’s men’s basketball team invaded Neville Arena for the new …

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AHS ends regular season with win over Smiths

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AHS ends regular season with win over Smiths

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11-08-23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH
FOR THE OBSERVER

SMITHS STATION- Auburn High sophomore running back Omar Mabson finished his sophomore year with 14 touchdowns and six consecutive 100-plus yard rushing games to end the season, including 136 yards on six carries in the regular-season finale win over Smiths Station on Friday night.
Mabson found the end zone three times, and Auburn compiled 285 yards on the ground as the Tigers spoiled Smiths Station's senior night with a 49-8 win to end its season at 8-2.
With two consecutive 40- and 56-yard touchdown runs to start the second half, Mabson's three TD scampers gave him five in the last two games. He accounted for four of Auburn's five second-half TDs in the last two weeks as the Tigers topped 40 points for the second straight week.
The Tigers averaged 33.8 points per game and scored above 40 points four times during the season. Oppositely, the defense only allowed 15.1 points a game and pitched two shutouts, while only Central scored 40 points on them.
With QB Jackson Kilgore back in the picture after an injury and splitting time with senior QB Henry Allen the past two weeks, Auburn has continued to utilize a plethora of backs. Adding onto Mabson's big night, senior Tyler Flakes scored twice for the second consecutive game and Mykel Ammons scored the first TD of his career in his final regular-season game as a senior.
The run game accounted for six of the seven scores. Kilgore accounted for the other one on a four-yard TD pass to senior Cody Palmer to end the first half up 28-8.
It was mostly all Auburn in this one, but not until Smiths Station enjoyed an opening-drive score and two-point conversion to start off senior night for the Panthers, who ended their season at 1-9. After that, Auburn scored 49 unanswered to notch the most points it has scored in a game all season.
The win helped Auburn finish the season as the No. 3 seed in Region 2. The Tigers will start their playoff schedule by going to Baker, which finished second in 7A Region 1 with an 8-2 record.
The only common opponent between Auburn and Baker this season was Dothan, who Auburn defeated 28-27 in week three. However, Dothan was one of Baker's losses, as it fell 35-14 to the Wolves at home. Both teams will enter the game coming off two wins in a row to end their seasons.
Auburn will embark on the path to its second straight state championship game after last season's title game loss to Thompson. The Tigers' postseason journey starts on the road in Mobile at Baker High School on Friday, Nov. 10.

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Mabson propels Auburn high to 49-8 win over Smiths Station

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BY NOAH GRIFFITHFOR THE OBSERVER SMITHS STATION- Auburn High sophomore running back Omar Mabson finished his sophomore year with 14 touchdowns and six consecutive 100-plus yard rushing games to end...

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AHS beats Prattville, secures playoff spot

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AHS beats Prattville, secures playoff spot

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11/2/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER
PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS

AUBURN - On the last home game of Auburn High's football season, the Tigers notched their largest victory of the season to lock up a playoff spot with a 48-0 win over Prattville (3-6).
Starting quarterback Jackson Kilgore, who was previously out since week two with an injury, returned and threw a pair of touchdowns, and the defense pitched its second shutout of the season in the regular-season finale at Duck Samford Stadium.
On senior night, the junior QB found senior receiver Cody Palmer on his first pass upon his return for a 52-yard TD. All seniors: QB Henry Allen, receivers Gibson Loughridge and Griffin McLean and running back Tyler Flakes also got in on the scoring, but one upperclassman in particular took center stage.
Senior kicker Towns McGough was honored with a jersey before the game for his selection in the Under Armour All-American game.
Pushing all the pre-game festivities to the side, he was locked in. He nailed an opening-drive field goal, another field goal before half to put the Tigers up 34-0, six extra points and knocked down two 60-yard field goals that were negated by timeouts before coming up just short on his third and final try.
QBs Allen and Kilgore each threw a pair of TD passes in the first half, and Flakes added on with a three-yard scamper into the end zone after his 45-yard run got Auburn inside the 10-yard line in the first quarter. It was 34-0 going to halftime.
However, it was sophomore running back Omar Mabson's show in the second half. He added on two TDs from 33 and seven yards out to account for all of the Tigers' second-half offense.
The offense lightened up in the second half, but they still tied their season-high in points. The defense, on the other hand, never took its foot off the gas.
Auburn started the game by forcing a Prattville three-and-out before a La'Mychael Gunn interception on the next drive, and the Auburn defense stood tall in the fourth quarter just the same. With Prattville on the Auburn goal line, the Tigers snuffed out three straight runs to force a turnover on downs and secure a win over Prattville for the 10th consecutive year.
This helped the Tigers improve to 7-2 and 5-2 in region play and solidify a spot in the playoffs. Auburn can lock up the No. 2 seed in its region with a win to end the regular season next week at Smiths Station (1-8).

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Auburn High shuts out Prattville, locks up playoff spot

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVERPHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS AUBURN - On the last home game of Auburn High's football season, the Tigers notched their largest victory of the season to lock up a playoff ...

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Auburn High Bounces Back in Dramatic Fashion With Win Over Dothan

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9/13/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN -
It seemed as if last week was repeating itself as Dothan lined up for a game-winning field goal with 20 seconds remaining in the game, but Auburn High blocked out the past.
This field goal was no good. Auburn blocked Dothan's 37-yard field goal and forced overtime, where the defense stood up to give Auburn (2-1) its first region win of the season after losing a heartbreaker to Enterprise last week.
But one overtime wasn't enough. After the Tigers and Wolves traded touchdowns in two straight OTs, Dothan opted to go for a two-point conversion for the win, but Auburn stuffed the attempt well short to secure the 28-27 win on the road.
With each team starting on the opponent's 10-yard line, the Wolves and Tigers both scored TDs in the first OT, with quarterback Henry Allen bulldozing his way into the end zone for Auburn to force a second OT. Senior Tre'Marcus Webb started off the frame with his second rushing TD of the night, and Dothan responded by running it in for its own score. Instead of kicking it for the tie, the Wolves tried to steal the win with a two-point attempt and failed on an outside handoff.
The game-sealing stop was just one of many defensive highlights of the night for the Tigers, but without starting QB Jackson Kilgore, who suffered an injury in last week's game, it was rough riding at times for the offense that only put up 14 points in regulation.
With senior Ean Nation at QB in the first half, Auburn racked up two rushing scores and, more importantly, did not commit any turnovers in an offense with no experienced QBs behind Kilgore. Allen took snaps at QB for most of the second half, and despite being blanked in the second half, he also didn't turn the ball over. He led the OT charge, scoring his first TD of the season in the first OT to keep the Tigers alive.
The defense gave Auburn momentum from start to finish, as defensive back Jace Williams snagged an interception on the game's opening drive that he returned back to the Dothan 10-yard line. However, the Tigers failed to take advantage and turned it over on downs at the 1-yard line.
But after forcing Dothan's first punt of the night on the next drive, Webb punched it in from nine yards out to put Auburn in front. Webb's two scores were his first of the season, as he came into the game with no previous touches in the first two games of the season.
Dothan quickly answered with a rushing TD of its own, but Auburn punched right back with a 52-yard breakaway rushing TD from sophomore running back Omar Mabson. That marked the biggest offensive play of the game and gave Auburn a 14-7 lead going to halftime.
The Tigers got nothing going on offense in the second half, and it nearly resulted in a comeback win for Dothan.
Dothan forced an Auburn punt to start the second half and drove the ball into Auburn territory, threatening to tie the game. Then came Akeem "Deuce" White, out of nowhere. He put a commanding end to the drive with three consecutive sacks to continue the scoring drought into the fourth quarter.
Auburn punted to the Dothan 10-yard line, and the field seemed a mile long for the Wolves the way the Tiger defense had been playing. But Dothan found some juice left, and it drove down for a TD with 4:51 left in the game and again forced an Auburn punt.
The Wolves' offense was rolling again, and QB Sam Broadaway completed a pass to the sideline to set up a game-winning field goal - just like the field goal that Enterprise sunk Auburn with in week two.
Down to the wire, Auburn stood tall, blocked the kick and outlasted previously-unbeaten Dothan (2-1) in a 2OT thriller to avoid consecutive losses for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Auburn, who will likely still be without an injured Kilgore, will stay on the road next week to take on region foe JAG High School (0-3) at 7 p.m. CST.

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Auburn High Bounces Back in Dramatic Fashion With Win Over Dothan

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN -It seemed as if last week was repeating itself as Dothan lined up for a game-winning field goal with 20 seconds remaining in the game, but Auburn High bloc...

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Freelance article published in the Opelika Observer

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Freelance article published in the Opelika Observer

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Date: 10/26/2022

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA -

When Opelika's Rehab Works occupational therapist and Manager Mallory Payne dropped her daughter off for the first day of daycare, she had no idea she would run into one of her former patients.

"Cassie! Is that you?" Payne said.

And without another word, the two embraced in a hug.

Cassie Wyrick was 18 when her parents brought her into Rehab Works. Myrick had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash, resulting in seven cracks in her skull. At the time, doctors had given her a 4% chance to live, and even then, she would likely live in a vegetative state.

Now, just four years later, Wyrick is the daycare teacher of Payne's daughter, thanks in part to Payne's dedication to her patients.

"I'm able to change her kid's diaper now, and I couldn't even change my own clothes that well before [I worked with Mallory]," Wyrick said. "She goes above and beyond for her patients, and I would say that because even though I can't remember much in detail, she remembers me. She still asks about me and calls me by name."

Anyone who has walked through the doors of Rehab Works in the 11 years that Payne has worked there is sure to leave better than they came, and her coworkers and patients are a testament of that.

Payne, 36, has three children, works as an occupational therapist and has recently added a manager title at Rehab Works. She still makes time to serve Cornerstone Church and the Opelika-Auburn community faithfully.

"I don't use a cookie-cutter approach to therapy," Payne said. "[For example] I don't treat all my patients that have had strokes the same. I do try to listen to what they're telling me, and so I do client-centered therapy in order to help them the best that I can."

Payne earned her undergraduate degree in athletic training at Troy University before receiving her master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in occupational therapy. Growing up seeing her aunt battle the progression of multiple sclerosis - combined with her love for sports and her desire to follow in her mother's footsteps - led Payne to want to become an occupational therapist.

Now, Payne is reaping the benefits of her work. Her diligence in her craft is rewarded by seeing her patients get better and regain their former abilities.

"I really enjoy seeing a patient that comes in on their first time, and they might not be able to use that body part that I'm working with them initially, but by the time they're done, they've gotten back to doing mostly everything they could do before," Payne said. "I like to know that they've gotten back to work: They're able to make an income, and that is fulfilling to the patient, so that's fulfilling to me."

According to one of her coworkers, physical therapist Jessica Ust, Payne shows her love for the community by sacrificing her own time to better serve others around her the best she can.

"If somebody needs a certain piece of equipment, she'll do extra research on that when a lot of times people don't take that extra time," Ust said. "If we have a patient with a diagnosis we don't see often, she's doing the extra work so that she knows what she can best do for that individual."

Payne stays prepared for whoever might walk into Rehab Works on any given day - a necessary ingredient to her extraordinary work. She is always ready for whoever comes to her in need, whether that be a teenager who was in a car accident, a 4-year-old in her Sunday school class or an older patient trying to maintain their abilities around the house.

In 2018, Payne's eventual patient Markeyla Williams could not foresee she would need occupational therapy to be able to sit up straight at age 22.

But, after Williams finished doing her hair one afternoon at her home in Auburn, she went out to be with her family. When one of her cousins at the gathering asked for a lighter, Williams went to retrieve one from her car.

"It's old," Williams said. "It probably doesn't even work."

But she gave it a try anyways, and when she did, all Williams remembers is a "whoosh" of flames overtaking her face and spreading down her arms. The oils in her hair ignited the flame.

Williams ended up with severe burns on her face and arms, and it took eight surgeries and four months in the hospitals of Birmingham before she could return home to her 1-year-old son.

When she did so, she still couldn't use her arms or hands well, and she couldn't sit up straight because skin was taken from her legs. But she was eager to start therapy.

While Williams is still recovering by the day, she is back to working for Capital One as a customer service representative after earning a degree from Alabama A&M University.

She can now extend her arms, grab things and walk comfortably; in addition, she is healing - mentally and emotionally. Williams has moved past her anxiety about being around heat and can now do things such as cooking and she said that wouldn't be the case without Payne pushing her to do more than what she thought she was capable of.

Markeyla Williams and her son, Montarious Hill Jr. (5), take a picture before a mother-and-son dance. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

One of Williams' favorite hobbies before her injury was braiding hair. After her injury, she gave up on the idea of braiding again, but Payne never did.

One day at therapy, Payne pulled out yarn and tied it to the door, while Williams looked on with a raised eyebrow.

"OK, let me see you braid," Payne said. "You said that you wanted to braid again, so let me see you braid."

Williams credits that determination and Payne's "motherly instincts" to what makes her great at what she does.

"A lot of times we'd do minimal stuff like sitting at the table and writing or other little things, but she incorporated things into it that I was interested in and what I wanted, and that made it so much easier," Williams said. "She could've just made out her plan and stuck to it and just let me go on about my way, but no. She was just being very considerate, and I always appreciate her."

One thing that sticks out about Payne is that she never simply does her job and goes her own way. Several years after they quit therapy, Wyrick and Williams are both still in contact with Payne. Wyrick sees her old therapist when Payne picks up her daughter from daycare, and Payne asks about Wyrick when she runs into her sister at the Opelika soccer fields, where her children play.

Williams still updates Payne on her recovery and anything that's going on in her life, and they both update each other on their children. The two are Facebook friends, and Williams even stops by Rehab Works to see Payne whenever she passes by.

"She's one of those people that, if you write a book, she's going to be a main character," Williams said. "Kind, gentle, compassionate, strong, patient ... if there was a word to describe all of that, that would be her."

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Local Occupational Therapist Bettering Community One Patient at a Time

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER OPELIKA - When Opelika's Rehab Works occupational therapist and Manager Mallory Payne dropped her daughter off for the first day of daycare, she had no idea she would run into one of her former patients. "Cassie! Is that you?" Payne said.

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10/07/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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The circumstances look all too similar to last year's National League Division Series. The 104-win Braves enter with six straight NL East titles and the MLB's best regular-season record, but the 90-win Phillies are riding high off a Wild Card round win when these two teams meet for the second straight postseason.

The Braves enter as heavy favorites for the second year in a row. Yet again, they are the NL's top seed, and this year, they have the most wins in team history since 1995. But the Phillies are okay with that. They've been here before.

Last year, the Phillies sent the Braves home in four games on the way to their first World Series appearance since 2009. They would love nothing more than to make it to the big stage in consecutive seasons for the first time since that same year and win it all for the first time since 2008.

In those four games, the Phillies scored 24 runs despite being shut out in game two. The middle of the Philadelphia batting order was lethal, getting the Phillies on the board first in all three of their wins.

All three of those instances were in breathtaking fashion.

It started out with the Phillies scoring a pair of runs off Max Fried in the top of the first in game one, and they put off a late Atlanta rally to take that one. Kyle Wright silenced their bats in game two, but when the series went to Philadelphia, the Phillies restarted that trend of early momentum. They scored six early runs to put Atlanta in a huge hole in game three and again jumped out to a big lead with a Brandon Marsh three-run homer in game four.

This season, the Braves own the series record between these two division rivals, 8-5, and the team who has scored the first run of the game has won all but two of those games. One of the exceptions was an extra-inning Braves win, and a run wasn't scored until the fifth inning in a 4-2 Braves win in the other.

With .90 first-inning runs per game this season, the Braves have the best first-inning offense in baseball. Including a seven-run first inning in an 11-4 win over Philadelphia in May, they have tallied 13 first-inning runs versus the Phillies this season in as many games.

Obviously, Ronald Acuña's theatrics impact that offensive output, but another big factor in getting on the board first is silencing Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber before you get to that daunting middle of the order that killed the Braves last October. It can be easy to fixate on Bryce Harper, who is notorious for killing Braves pitching (44 career HRs off Braves), but Schwarber ld the team with 47 dingers this season - including a 483-foot shot off Wright in September.

However, Schwarber can also be a rally killer, as he led the MLB with 215 strikeouts in the regular season. It will be key for the Braves to take care of him and minimize damage versus the middle of the order that consists of Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto.

The Phillies will be without Rhys Hoskins this time around, who missed the season after tearing an ACL in Spring Training. Still, the Phillies' two through five hitters went 20-for-52 with four homers and 16 RBI in the three NLDS games they won last season. Oppositely, they went 2-for-15 in game two when they were shutout.

It will also be key for the Braves to keep their arms healthy. They were haunted last season by Fried and Spencer Strider, who were also on extended rest periods, being held back by injury and illness. Fried will have to deal with his left index finger blister and not aggravate it to have the possibility of starting more than one NLDS game if needed and into the NLCS, and Strider will look to stay on the roll that he finished the season on.

In order to reverse last season's outcome, the Braves need to punch out Schwarber, limit the damage done by the heart of the Phillies' order and get ahead early on the scoreboard.

Here are the pitching matchups for the best-of-five NLDS series.
Game 1 (Atlanta), Saturday at 6 p.m EST:
-Spencer Strider (20-5, 3.86) vs. Ranger Suarez (4-6, 4.18)

These two faced off in June, and it was the game mentioned earlier when neither team scored until the fifth inning. Austin Riley went deep for Atlanta's sole run off Suarez, and Strider allowed a run in six innings while striking out nine.

Despite getting tagged for five runs in 2.1 IP in game three of the NLDS last year, Strider has been lights out versus Philadelphia this year, going six innings against them twice and seven innings twice in four matchups. He struck out nine the first three outings, and then fanned 11 most recently in a win on September 19.

As Lindsay Crosby wrote, starting a lefty versus Atlanta is a bold move. There's good reason why few teams start lefties against them. (link to story)

Although the Phillies won Suarez's game one start in the NLDS last season, he earned a no-decision after 3.1 innings of one-run ball with three hits and five walks versus Atlanta. He also got a no-decision in his one start against the Braves this season - allowing one run on four hits over 6.0 IP.
Game 2 (Atlanta), Monday at 6 p.m. EST:
-Max Fried (8-1, 2.55) vs. Zack Wheeler (13-6, 3.61)

Again, Fried got roughed up in game one of last year's NLDS, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk in 3.1 IP. However, he should be in much better health this time around as long as his blister doesn't get unexpectedly worse. He went five innings and allowed one run in a no-decision in his lone start versus the Phillies this season, and the Braves have won his past five starts, including that one.

With Wheeler, it depends what version of him shows up to Atlanta.

Wheeler also started that September game against Fried, which ended in an extra-inning Braves win after Wheeler surrendered six runs in five innings. He also lost game two of the NLDS last season despite allowing just three runs across six innings, but his first of three starts against Atlanta this season was eight shutout innings, so he has had some highs and lows against the Braves.

He was masterful in 6.2 IP of one-run, eight-K ball in game one of the Wild Card round against the Marlins, so if that version of Wheeler shows up and Fried stays healthy, runs will be hard to come by in this game.
Game 3 (Philadelphia), Wednesday at 5 p.m. EST:
-TBA vs. Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.46)

The Braves have not announced a starter for game three, although it is being reported that Wright will be left off the roster. That leaves Bryce Elder (12-4, 3.81) who has struggled as of late with a 5.86 ERA with 28 hits and four homers allowed in five September starts, and rookie A.J. Smith-Shawver (1-0, 4.26) who made six starts this season, as the likeliest options for game three.

On the other side, Nola will start after dazzling in seven scoreless frames against the Marlins in game two of the Wild Card round. Like Wheeler, he has been up and down against the Braves, but being at home might play in his favor.

He spun six shutout innings at home in last year's NLDS game three, and he did the same in his lone home start against Atlanta this season. However, he allowed seven runs and 14 hits over his two starts in Atlanta, so the Braves have had success against the 30-year-old righty. If the Braves want to jump on him, they'll want to do it early in the game and let Atlanta's game three starter work with a lead.
Game 4 (Philadelphia, if necessary), 6 p.m. EST
-starters TBA
Game 5 (Atlanta, if necessary), 6 p.m. EST
-starters TBA

Splits and Trends

The Phillies swept a best-of-three series with the Marlins in the Wild Card round on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the Braves haven't played another opponent since their regular-season finale on Sunday.

The Phillies looked dominant against the Fish, outscoring them 11-2 in two games. Second baseman Bryson Stott hit an electrifying grand slam in game two along with a long homer from Realmuto, and everyone in the Philadelphia starting lineup notched a hit in game one.

The Philadelphia bullpen did not allow a run until the ninth inning of game two, while working 4.1 innings in the series, and Wheeler and Nola both eased through quality starts.

In an effort for the Braves to stay in tune, Atlanta held public workouts and scrimmaged each day Tuesday through Thursday, but the week void of games is going to be a challenge the Braves face for the second year in a row. They ended the season by dropping two-of-three to Washington, so the question will remain until Saturday: Do the Braves have enough juice left to take down the surging Phillies?

Not until the Saturday night lights in Truist Park shine bright will the answer be revealed, as the past two National League Pennant winners show down on TBS with revenge and repetition at stake.
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NLDS series preview: Braves get shot at redemption versus Phillies

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Atlanta's the heavy favorite...again. Can they stop a Phillies squad that tore through them last year?

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Braves vs. Rays series preview - Braves Today

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7/7/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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It's the last series before the All-Star break, and the Atlanta Braves (58-28) and the Tampa Bay Rays (57-33) are the best teams in their respective leagues and have 11 combined All-Stars (Braves-8, Rays-3). Ending a remarkable April with a 23-6 record, the Rays were the best team in baseball for almost the first three months of the season - all the way until Sunday, July 2.

Then came the undeniable Braves, who have won their past 10 series dating back to May and 18 of their past 20 games. The Braves, since overtaking the Rays on Sunday, lead the MLB with a .674 winning percentage.

While the Braves are up on cloud nine, the Rays have come back down to earth lately, as they are coming in on a five game losing streak after being swept by the Phillies at home and dropping the last two games of a series with the Mariners.

Trends aside, these two clubs rank top five in every major offensive stat category: batting average, home runs, RBI and hits, but the Braves' late surge - including 61 homers in June and 13 more in six games so far in July - has them rocketing past the Rays.

In the last week, the Braves have posted a .368/.657/1.025 slash line with a team average of .319 and a mere 11.4 at-bats per homer. This is led by Matt Olson, who has a 1.599 OPS, three homers, .556 OBP, is slugging 1.043 with 11 hits and six extra-base hits in the last seven days. Strikeouts have been Olson's sole weakness this season, but he only struck out three times in that stretch.

But Olson is only one of four Braves with an OPS over 1.0 in the past week, as Sean Murphy owns a 1.689, Ozzie Albies has a 1.260 and Ronald Acuña has a 1.208 OPS. Several of those guys continued the slug fest last time out versus Cleveland, as Olson went 3-for-4 with a dinger and Murphy went 4-for-5 and was a triple shy of a cycle with two singles.

On the other hand, the Rays are 4-6 in their last 10 and have lost their past two series. They are batting .242 in their last seven games with a .300/.444/.744 slash line.

While the Braves have certainly been on top of the world lately, the Rays have maintained the upper hand on the base paths all season, leading the MLB with 106 stolen bases. Living in two hole of the Rays' lineup, Wander Franco leads the way with 28 stolen bases, followed by Josh Lowe with 19 and Taylor Walls with 18.

It will be key for the Braves to pay close attention to the running game in this series and force the Rays' bats to straight up outduel the Braves. The combination of Braves catchers Travis D'Arnaud and Murphy have caught 22% of stolen base attempts against them this season.

Opposingly, while the Braves have the second-leading stealer in the MLB in Acuña, who is 41-of-47 in stolen bases, the team ranks seventh in that category with 69 swipes as a team. Trying to stop them is the catcher duo of Christian Bethancourt and Fransisco Mejia, who have cut down 15% of attempted stealers this season.

On the mound, both teams are full of top-notch arms from top to bottom, and there will be a lot of strikeouts in this series. The Rays rank fifth in ERA (3.75) and fourth in WHIP (1.22), while the Braves are third in ERA (3.63) and fifth in strikeouts (808).

The Rays are sending three guys who combine for 12 quality starts to the mound in this three-game series, while the Braves are set to start two All-Stars who are coming off strong outings of their own. All starters in this series are right-handed throwers, meaning the Braves will see a lineup that includes Brandon and Josh Lowe, and the Rays will see plenty of Eddie Rosario.

Here are the pitching matchups for this weekend's three-game series with the Rays:

Game 1, Friday at 6:40 p.m. EST:

- Charlie Morton (8-6, 3.57)vs. Tyler Glasnow (2-2, 4.50)

Matchup rundown: Game one features one of baseball's most reliable veterans in 39-year-old Morton versus his former team, who is throwing talented, but injury-plagued, Glasnow.

Morton has been just what he's supposed to be as of late: solid and consistent, allowing the offense to cook. He hasn't gotten a loss since June 2 versus Arizona, and he has pitched five or more innings in all but one of his 16 outings this season (4.2 IP vs. Mets).

The hard-throwing Glasnow is making his eighth start since returning from an oblique strain in a rehab start this season after only making two starts in 2022 while recovering from Tommy John. He's been solid outside of allowing six runs in 4.1 IP versus the Orioles. He has six or more Ks in every start, including 11 and 12 in his last two appearances.

Game 2, Saturday at 7:15 p.m. EST:

- Spencer Strider (10-2, 3.66)vs. Taj Bradley (5-4, 5.27)

Matchup rundown: Atlanta has to feel like it has the upper hand in this one, with Strider leading the league with 155 Ks and Bradley struggling in his last two starts.

Strider is coming off three consecutive starts of six innings or more with nine Ks or more. The All-Star went 6.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and a walk last time out versus the Marlins. His increased usage of the changeup is getting him strong results.

Bradley has thrown a combined 7.1 innings while giving up five and seven runs in his last two starts. The rookie allowed four homers versus Arizona, which is recipe for disaster against the Braves. The 22-year-old has only pitched as much as six innings one time this year.

Game 3, Sunday at 1:40 p.m. EST:

- Bryce Elder (7-1, 2.45) vs. Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.24)

Matchup rundown: If the series comes down to it, this sets up to be a true rubber match. These two pitchers lead their teams in quality starts: Elder with 11 and Eflin with 10.

Elder is making the start two days before he appears in Seattle for his first All-Star game. He has been great on the road, holding opponents to a .206 batting average and giving up only eight runs in seven starts - most recently, two runs in 6.2 IP on only one K in Cleveland.

Eflin has been a key pickup for the Rays after they got him from the Phillies this offseason. He's currently carrying his career-best ERA and already has 100 Ks in 16 starts. His last two outings have each been 7.0 IP, and he got a tough-luck loss after giving up two runs and striking out nine last time out versus his former club.

Down on the Bay

The Braves have proven to be road warriors all season, boasting a 28-13 record away from Truist Park. However, the Rays have one of the best home-field advantages at Tropicana Field, where they own a 34-13 record despite getting swept by the Phillies at home this week.

After winning 2-of-3 versus Cleveland, Atlanta is coming in following an off day on Thursday with a healthy and rested bullpen that has given up two runs over the last three series (all in the last two games), while the Rays played in an 11-inning affair with Philadelphia on Thursday after throwing a bullpen game on Wednesday.

The two best teams in baseball are set to square off for the first time this year, and they won't meet again this year if it's not for the World Series trophy. Game one can be seen on AppleTV+, game two will be nationally televised on FOX and game three will be broadcasted on Bally Sports.
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Scorching Braves head to Tampa for matchup of MLB's top teams

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Could we have a World Series preview down in Tampa this weekend?

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Braves vs Twins series preview - Braves Today

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Braves vs Twins series preview - Braves Today

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6/26/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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After smacking 10 home runs in three games in Cincinnati, the 50-win Braves are running away with the major league lead with 138 homers, but that will be put to the test when the Minnesota Twins come to Atlanta to face the Braves for the first time since 2019.

Winning the homer battle will be key in this series, as the Twins live and die by the long ball. Not only do they hit them, they are one of the best teams at keeping the ball inside the yard.

The Twins lead the lackluster AL East division with a 40-39 record, and they feature some of the best starting pitching in the game, as they rank third in the MLB with 37 quality starts and a 3.67 team ERA.

They do it by keeping the ball in the park and striking out batters by the ton. Second to only the White Sox, the Twins pitchers have recorded 739 Ks in 2023, and have allowed just 77 home runs, fifth least in the MLB.

It will be key for the Braves to keep the ball on the ground, as the Twins offense is sluggish without the jolt of life from homers. Led by Byron Buxton (13), Joey Gallo (12) and Carlos Correa (11), they rank seventh in the major leagues with 102 homers.

But while the Braves are tied with the Rangers for the lead in team batting average at .271, the Twins are 25 th in the league with a .241 average. The Twins swing and miss more than anybody in the MLB, with 799 Ks as a team.

After hitting 25 homers in their last three series, however, no other team will be harder to keep inside the yard than Atlanta. The Twins starters will be up to the challenge, nonetheless, as they allow just 1.05 homers per nine innings.

It will help the Braves to get past the Twins starters and into an injury-riddled bullpen.

The Twins are atop the MLB in starter's WAR at 9.2, but their relievers are 16 th in that category with a 2.1 WAR. Closer Jhoans Duran has been solid, converting on 11 of 13 save attempts with a 2-2 record and 1.45 ERA, but otherwise, they're crippled by injuries. Setup men Jorge Lopez and Caleb Thielbar, as well as middle relievers Cole Sands and Jorge Alcala all occupy the IL.

The Twins starters definitely have the edge in experience, as their projected starters combine for 440 career starts, while the Braves have announced two starters who are in their first full seasons in the starting rotation with 59 combined starts.

Here are the pitching matchups for the three-game series in Truist Park:
Game 1, Monday at 7:20 p.m. EST:
-Spencer Strider (8-2, 3.93) vs. Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.56)

Matchup rundown: Runs will be hard to come by in game one with these two aces on the mound.

The Twins lead the MLB in strikeouts, and they are facing the MLB leader in strikeouts on the mound. Strider has 136 Ks and fans 14.5 batters per nine innings. He rebounded from giving up eight and five runs in his two prior outings with nine Ks in six innings of one-run ball last time out.

Duncan Collins

Meanwhile, Gray has been one of the best pitchers in the AL this season and ranks fifth among all starters in ERA while only giving up two homers. At age 33, he has some of the best command in the game, as he strikes out 2.6 batters per walk and 9.3 per nine innings.
Game 2, Tuesday at 7:20 p.m. EST:
-Bryce Elder (5-1, 2.40) vs. Joe Ryan (8-4, 2.98)

Matchup rundown: Strikeouts might have a hard dropoff in game two, but both of these pitchers know how to go deep in the game. Ryan hurled a complete-game shutout last time out versus Boston, and Elder went seven shutout innings in a win over Philadelphia in his last start. Both pitchers lead their teams in quality starts - Ryan with 11 and Elder with nine. Elder has been one of the most pleasant surprises for Atlanta this season, owning the MLB's third-best ERA.
Game 3, Wednesday at 12:20 p.m. EST:
-TBA vs. Kenta Maeda (1-4, 6.86)

Matchup rundown: Rookie A.J. Smith-Shawver was previously scheduled to start the game for Atlanta, but his demotion to AAA following Sunday's game leaves the starting pitcher undecided for this game.

Maeda, 35, said he was back on track after his last start, his best so far in a poor season. He earned his first win of the season last time out after four consecutive losses. He went five scoreless frames with eight Ks against the Tigers, but he'll have to face a bit of a stronger lineup this time around.
The latest
Both teams are coming off hard-fought series wins. The Braves took two of three versus the Reds: all games decided by one run. Atlanta is now 9-1 in its last 10 contests. On the other hand, the Twins needed 10 innings to take two of three from the Tigers to improve to 5-5 in their last 10 games.

Game one and three will be broadcasted on Bally Sports, while game two will be on TBS for the series between the 50-27 Braves and the 40-39 Twins.
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Strikeouts, bombs galore to be featured when Braves host Twins

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Atlanta's got a test of their home-run hitting prowess this week versus Minnesota

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Eddie Rosario key to D-Backs series - Braves Today

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Eddie Rosario key to D-Backs series - Braves Today

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7/18/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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The Braves were at their lowest point last time Atlanta saw the Diamondbacks. Then, "West Coast Eddie" stepped to the plate in the midst of an 0-for-4 day in Arizona - with Atlanta one out away from losing its second straight series.

"Smith's at the wall... grand slam!" Eddie Rosario slapped Eric Young's hand and skipped over the first base bag, circling the diamond and putting the Braves up for good in an 8-5 win. That decided the series for Atlanta in the rubber match, and it went on to win the next 11 series after that, too.

Eddie has a chance to spark the Braves once again when the Diamondbacks come to Atlanta for a three-game series starting Tuesday, but they will need him to return to health after he exited Saturday's game and sat out Sunday with hamstring tightness.

When Rosario hit the game-winning slam in Arizona, the Braves were coming off a series loss to the lowly A's to end May - their last previous series loss before this past Sunday, when they lost the series to another faint American League squad, the 40-55 White Sox.

Backed by a 6-for-13 performance, three homers, seven RBI and a game-winning grand slam from Rosario in the rubber match, the series win versus the Diamondbacks sparked a team coming off an embarrassing loss to an MLB-best 23-4 month of June.

Now, Rosario has an opportunity to start a new streak and prove he's not just a "Dodger killer." He's West Coast Eddie. This series might not be on the West Coast, but Rosario loves hitting versus NL West opponents. The 2021 NLCS MVP is 14-for-45 with eight homers and 20 RBI versus that division this season, and he helped start the Braves' undefeated series run in June versus the Diamondbacks.

Facing the Snakes might be just what he needed to find his stroke again. Just like he rebounded from a .239 average at the end of May by hitting .325 in June, he'll need to find himself in this series after batting .156 with only one homer in 32 at bats so far in July.

By getting himself out of a slump, he'll be getting his team hot again after briefly being pacified to start the second half. Atlanta came storming out of the gates after the break, winning 9-0 in game one, but then the offense went quiet in game two after Lance Lynn exited and only scored one run on five hits in game three's 8-1 defeat.

Losing the final two games of the series to the White Sox, the Braves' series winning streak ended at 12, the 28-game homer streak is over and Atlanta needs a spark heading into a series with a club fighting for revival in the NL West - 2.5 games back of the Dodgers and now a half game behind the Giants - while going 2-8 in its last 10.

Rosario could just be that guy, and the Braves seem hopeful to have him back in the lineup after exiting the game Saturday with hamstring tightness. He didn't play at all in Sunday's disastrous finale, and he benefitted from an off day on Monday.

Also in Rosario's favor, the Diamondbacks are set to start three right-handers: Zach Davies, Ryne Nelson and All-Star starting pitcher Zac Gallen. The latter two the Braves saw in the June series in Arizona, and Rosario went 2-for-3 with an RBI off Nelson but was held to 0-for-4 off Gallen before blasting a walk-off grand slam to end the series.

If not for Rosario's heroics last month, it would be hard to say the Braves would be 61-31 heading into the home series with Arizona. Nonetheless, they boast a season-high 10-game lead in the NL East, and though not desperate for a series win this time around, that loss to Chicago sure was annoying.
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Healthy Eddie can revive Braves, play hero again versus Diamondbacks

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Left fielder Eddie Rosario might be the key to a victory over Arizona in the series

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Follow-up on career bests in 2023 season

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Follow-up on career bests in 2023 season

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10/04/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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Matt Olson etched himself into Atlanta Braves history with a franchise record 54 homers and 139 RBI; Ronald Acuña Jr. did the same with 73 stolen bases. But the Braves' historic season was a result of the club cohesively rising to the occasion and putting together career seasons.

Yes, there were guys who stood out, but the Braves led the MLB in players with 40 or more homers (three), 30 or more homers (five) and 20 or more homers (seven) this season in route to tying the 2019 Twins for the most ever homers in a single season with 307.

There were team records set, but it is the result of a strong season from each individual. No one in the Braves starting lineup hit fewer than 17 homers this season, and no qualified Braves starter hit under .250 this season.

The Braves will have a lot of Silver Sluggers this year, but I think every hitter in the Braves lineup can walk away from this season satisfied with their individual performance. It's hard not to when they set this many individual career highs.

Home Run Kings

With the Braves home run totals, it shouldn't come as a surprise that five Braves set career highs in homers this year: Olson (54), Marcell Ozuna (40), Ozzie Albies (33), Sean Murphy (21) and Orlando Arcia (17).

Acuña also matched his career high of 41, and Austin Riley (37) and Michael Harris (18) both fell one shy of their bests.

The MLB home run king, Olson, blew his previous PB of 39 homers out of the water, while the others edged out their best toward the end of the season.

Ozuna hit three dingers in the last two games to surpass his previous best of 37. The Big Bear not only set his PB, but he reached 40 homers for the first time ever and hit 30 or more for only the second time in his 11-year career and first time since 2017 with the Marlins.

Albies eclipsed his previous record of 30 from 2021 by three, Sean Murphy hit 20 homers for the first time ever and, despite not hitting a homer since September 2, Arcia eclipsed his previous PB by two homers - his most since 2019.

Acuña and Olson have completely rewritten the history books in Atlanta and across the MLB, and I think it's safe to say their strong careers leading up to 2023 just leveled up.

Why not say it again? MLB leaders in both categories and now Atlanta king of both, Olson slugged a career best 54 homers and 139 RBI.

You could basically go through every hitting stat and, yep - career best. While playing every single one of 162 games two years in a row, he notched his best in runs (127), hits (172), triples (three), extra-base hits (84), total bases (367), walks (104), batting average (.283) and OBP (.389). His slugging percentage and OPS are his best while playing a full season (.604 and .993). His 7.4 WAR is 1.6 higher than his next highest in 2021.

For Acuña, 159 games played are the most in a season, and he set a PB in runs (149), hits (217), doubles (35), RBI (106), walks (80), steals (73), batting average (.337), OPS (1.012), and his 8.1 WAR is 2.6 higher than his next best in 2019.

The right fielder also matched career highs in slugging percentage (.596), HRs (41) and struck out fewer times than any other 162-game season, while recording his most ABs in a single season in 2023 (643).

Both guys also recorded their highest exit velocities throughout the season and recorded the hardest-hit ball of their careers, according to Stat Cast. Acuña's average exit velo was 94.7 MPH and his hardest-hit ball was 121.2 MPH - the hardest-hit ball in the MLB this season. Olson's average exit velo was 93.7 MPH, and his hardest-hit ball was 118.6 MPH.

Bottom feeders?

Atlanta had questions at the bottom of the order coming into the year, but Arcia and Harris made the bottom of the order a strength for Atlanta all year.

Despite going through some sophomore slumps coming off his 2022 Rookie of the Year campaign, Harris still improved in quite a few areas in year two while playing 24 more games: runs (76), hits (148), doubles (33), walks (24), XBH (54) and total bases (241). He also tied last season's total in stolen bases (20), and finished just .004 under last season's .297 batting average and .008 under his .339 OBP.

Spending the year in the eighth hole, Arcia rose to the occasion to put up PBs in: runs (66), XBH (42), homers (17), doubles (25), RBI (65), slugging percentage (.420) and OPS (.741).

More All-Stars

All-Stars Murphy, Riley and Albies need some love, too. Murphy struggled after the All-Star break, but these guys quietly raked while their teammates took the spotlight.

Earning his first All-Star selection in his first year in Atlanta, Murphy set PBs in: homers (21), RBI (68), HBP (18, team high), batting average (.251), and his .365/.478/.844 line was the best in a full season in his career, as was his 3.9 WAR.

Riley fell three games shy of s perfect attendance in the lineup this season, but he set career highs in: runs (117), triples (three), total bases (328), walks (59), steals (three), while tying his career total with 179 hits.

Albies had a huge power surge this year, not only setting a PB with 33 HRs, but in RBI (109), HBP (eight) and slugging percentage (.513). Meanwhile, his 4.7 WAR is his best since his 4.8in 2019.

Reflecting

When three of your top four hitters set career highs in both runs and RBIs, you're going to score a lot of runs. Harris increased his hit and XBH-hit rate at the bottom of the order, and the rest of the guys filled in. There was truly nowhere for pitchers to turn to get outs against Atlanta this season.

The two starters mentioned the least above, Eddie Rosario and Ozuna, have served 10 and 11 seasons in the MLB, respectively. Notching a career high in their illustrious careers, not to mention in the back half of them, would be extraordinary - which is why Ozuna's 40 homers is incredible. There's also the fact that he only had two HRs and five hits at the end of April.

It's the contributions of all these guys that helped Atlanta lead all of baseball this year in batting average (.276), homers (307), RBI (916) and hits (1,543). Even the guys who didn't break franchise records rose to the occasion.
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One for the books: Braves hitters set many individual bests this season

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Braves hitters rewrote the history books in Atlanta this season, but which players redefined their own careers in 2023?

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Braves players personal bests watch - Braves Today

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Braves players personal bests watch - Braves Today

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9/4/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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It is well-known that the Atlanta Braves lead almost every major hitting category in baseball: homers, average, hits, RBI, to name a few. This is one of the best offenses in Braves history, and several individuals on this team are putting together career years and are set to surpass career marks.

It's getting to the point where it's almost unfair to compare this lineup to others, unless you're comparing the bottom of the Braves lineup to other team's top hitters. So, I thought I'd compare them to themselves.

From one to nine, this 2023 Braves line up flat out hits the ball hard. In fact, five guys in the starting lineup have hit the hardest balls of their career this season: Ronald Acuña Jr (121.2 MPH; hardest-hit ball in the MLB this season), Matt Olson (118.6 MPH), Austin Riley (116.1 MPH), Eddie Rosario (110.4 MPH) and Sean Murphy (114.7 MPH).

But that is just the start of the year of bests for Atlanta this season. Here are some Braves hitters who already have or are looking to surpass career marks.

Home Run Kings

Three Atlanta sluggers have already set career bests in homers. Olson's career-high 44 is tied with Shohei Ohtani for the MLB lead, and Orlando Arcia 's 17 and Murphy's 20 dingers are both personal bests.

Atlanta's MLB-leading fifth hitter with over 25 homers, Ozzie Albies, is two dingers away from his career best of 30, which he set in 2021 en route to winning a Silver Slugger award. He is on pace for about 34 homers, although he hasn't hit one since coming off the IL, so his last bomb was on August 12.

After setting his personal best with 38 homers in 2022, Austin Riley is on pace to match that total. Like Marcell Ozuna, he has 32 home runs. But Ozuna's career-high is 37 in 2017 with the Marlins. He has already hit his second-most homers in his 11-year career and has eight in his last 12 games, so hitting six more in 26 games to set a personal record seems probable.

Michael Harris, Rosario and Acuña are the only starters not projected to surpass their single-season home run record, but Harris only trails his rookie year total of 19 by six. With Acuña hitting three homers in the Dodgers series, he sits at 32 homers - nine shy of his 2019 total.

Both in the top five in the NL MVP race, Acuña and Olson are shattering personal records left and right.

Olson not only has his most ever homers in a season, 112 RBI this season is already his career high. In the eighth year of his career, Olson also has a personal best three triples and .373 OBP. His .581 slugging percentage and .953 OPS are also his best in a full season. He's on pace to break his personal bests in hits (needs 17 more) and walks (needs two more).

It would be fair to say Acuña's 2023 season will go down as one of the best ever. If he doesn't reach his homer total, it might be the only thing he doesn't set a personal record in. He already has his personal best in hits (leads MLB with 184), extra-base hits (67) and steals (leads MLB with 63), and he's working on his highest average (.335), OPS (.994), BB/K (0.95) and WAR (7.0). He's on pace to match his 2021 total of 101 RBI, while surpassing his highs in walks (needs six more) and runs (needs five more).

Bottom feeders?

Arcia and Harris have occupied the bottom two spots of the lineup throughout the majority of the season, but their success has been crucial to Atlanta's dominance this year.

In a breakout season where he garnered his first All-Star appearance, Arcia already has his most homers (17), runs (57), and doubles (18) in a single season in his nine-year career. His .280 average and .334/.450/.785 batting line are all career highs, while he is on pace to eclipse his career highs in RBI (needs five more) and finish just below his total of 140 hits in 2017 (currently has 113).

Harris has gone through growing pains at times in his sophomore season, but his next stolen base will set a new personal best, as he currently sits at 20. His next game will be his 114th this season, the same amount he played in his Rookie of the Year campaign. He sits with as many triples as last year (three) and already has his career high in walks (25) and an improved BB/K (0.30). He is also on pace to surmount his total in hits (needs seven more) and doubles (needs five more).

The Newcomer

In his first year in Atlanta, Murphy is also finishing off his first All-Star campaign and already has personal bests in homers (20), RBI (67) and HBP (17) in 95 games. Despite sharing time with Travis D'Arnaud, Murphy is also set to surpass his career best in runs (needs eight more), while he has his best average (.268) and WAR (3.7) in his fifth year in the big leagues. His .377/.515/.893 batting line is also his best in a full season (disqualifying 2019, when he played 20 games).

Looking Forward

These sluggers have 26 more games to chase down personal bests this season. While Acuña, Olson and Riley have played all 136 games this season, Arcia, Ozuna and Albies are also everyday players when healthy. Murphy will continue to split time behind the dish, and Atlanta might choose to rest some guys down the stretch with a commanding division lead.

If two personal bests look most feasible to be surmounted, it's Albies' 30 homers and Acuña's 127 runs. However, Olson's chase to 154 hits and Ozuna's chase for 38 homers are two intriguing races to watch for in the final month of the regular season.
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Their own competition: Which Braves will set personal bests this season?

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Several Atlanta Braves position players have already met or exceeded personal bests at the plate this season

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Spencer Strider strikeouts - Braves Today

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Spencer Strider strikeouts - Braves Today

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9/13/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider has quickly become a strikeout king early in his career, but how far can the 24-year-old go on the all-time strikeouts leaderboard?

The righty from Ohio has ranked top 15 in the MLB with over 200 Ks in both of his first two full big-league seasons, and he's running away with the MLB lead in 2023. He's entering tonight's start with 250 Ks and 13.9 K/9 - 23 Ks and 2.2 K/9 higher than any other pitcher this season.

He's struck out 452 batters in 61 career games - 48 of them starts. That gives him 13.7 K/9 for his career, and he shows no signs of slowing down, as he has 51 Ks in his last seven starts. But in order to rank among the strikeout greats, that's going to have to continue.

Nolan Ryan is the MLB career Ks leader, with 5,714 across 27 MLB seasons. He led the MLB in Ks in 11 of them and pitched until he was 46. He accrued over 300 Ks in six of those seasons.

So yeah, I'd have to have my head in the clouds to predict that record to be broken. The closest to him is Randy Johnson at 4,135. However, Strider's first two seasons have given plenty of reason to expect him to crack the leaderboards.

There are only four currently active pitchers in the top 50 all-time in strikeouts: Max Scherzer (311th, 3,367), Justin Verlander (13th, 3,322), Zack Greinke (20th, 2,966) and Clayton Kershaw (21st, 2,930). At age 38, Scherzer needs five more Ks to move past Greg Maddux into the top 10. Greinke is in his 20th season, while the other guys are hovering just under that mark.

If Strider matched his strikeout average between this season so far and last season (226 Ks) every year until he's 40 years old, he'd strike out 4,068 batters over 18 seasons, which would put him below Steve Carlton at fifth on the all-time list. If he can reach 20 MLB seasons and went at that pace, he'd get to 4,520 Ks, just behind Roger Clemens for fourth all-time.

20 seasons and beyond is quite the rarity, especially in this day and age, but every player in the top 10 of the strikeouts list has pitched at least 20 seasons (Scherzer would change that, with this being his 16th year).

Strider hasn't missed any extended period since being with the Braves, but he did undergo Tommy John surgery in 2019 before Atlanta drafted him in 2020 out of Clemson. Then again, stars like Verlander have also had Tommy John, and he's coming off a Cy Young Award season and is pitching in his 18th MLB season. He has 8.1 K/9 this season and is now 19 Ks away from passing Phil Niekro for 11th all-time.

However, Strider will need to avoid a second Tommy John surgery. The second Tommy John surgery, which Jacob DeGrom recently underwent this season, is known to have a longer recovery timetable and a more drastic effect. According to SI's Tom Verducci, recent studies say the average rehab time from a second Tommy John is 20.76 months, and only 29% of those players lasted more than two further seasons in the MLB.

Therefore, it will take longevity and a continuation of his current dominance to crack the top 10 in all-time career strikeouts. Career longevity might be even more important, however, as not even Scherzer or Verlander have struck out batters consistently at Strider's pace.

In fact, Scherzer's career K/9 is just 10.7, while his career high was 12.7 in the Nationals' World Series year. Ryan's career 25.3 K% doesn't touch Strider's 37.7%. It wasn't until the end of Verlander's third MLB season that he reached 452 Ks, and he has a 9.0 career K/9. Kershaw has a 9.8 career K/9, and Greinke's is just 7.9.

Strider is going at an elite pace. He's recorded 10 double-digit strikeout games this season, giving him 16 such performances in his career already. Two of those are against the Phillies, and he's fanned nine both times he's faced Philadelphia this season.

The sky's the limit for Strider, and his career-high is 16 Ks in a game (last September against the Rockies). The only question seems to be how long he can keep it up.
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Strider looks destined to be among strikeout royalty

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Spencer Strider is striking out batters at a higher rate than several all-time strikeout leaders early in his career, but how far can he go?

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Braves will help decide NL Wild Card race – Braves Today

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Braves will help decide NL Wild Card race – Braves Today

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8/25/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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The Braves have a 13.5-game division lead on the road to their sixth consecutive division title, but they will be one of the most influential teams in this year's Wild Card race.

Just as the Giants could taste a playoff spot amidst a madhouse race for an NL Wild Card spot, the Braves have jumped out from behind the corner, making a .5-game deficit in the Wild Card look like it might be a September full of playing catch-up.

The Braves took two-of-three from the Giants last weekend, and they'll haunt the Giants for three more games this weekend. This just begins the run of Wild Card contender opponents the Braves will run through to end the season as six teams are all within 4.5 games in that race.

The Braves have 16 games and face four of those opponents, including the Giants, throughout the rest of the season: seven games versus the Phillies (2.5-game lead with the top WC spot), three games with the Marlins (2 GB) and three games with the Cubs (.5-game lead with the second WC spot).

The Braves are 24-10 against the six Wild Card contenders in the NL this season already, and they're 27-8 against the NL East. As the race comes down to the wire, the MLB's best team will make life hard on these teams trying to climb the ladder. The Diamondbacks and Reds, who are currently in the middle of a four-game set with a .5-game disparity between the two (D-Backs claim third WC spot as of now), have the benefit of avoiding the Braves down the stretch. Although, the Diamondbacks have the tougher draw of the two, facing the AL-leading Orioles and NL-West-leading Dodgers in September.

The Braves know the role of spoiler too well, and even with a commanding division lead, they maintain the opportunity to crush some hopes, nonetheless, and six of those games are in Truist Park. They also have a rematch with the Dodgers after being swept earlier this season.

Atlanta went 18-8 last September on the way to swiping the Mets' division lead, including a three-game sweep of the Marlins, taking five-of-seven with the Phillies and dropping two-of-three in San Francisco.

Even as the stakes feel low with a commanding division lead, the Braves will play a big part in some of the MLB's biggest drama, the NL WC race, to end the season as well as fending off the second-place team in the NL East for two series'.
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Don't fall asleep yet, Braves fans - this team still has a lot of influence on how several NL playoff races shape out down the stretch this season

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Feature on SB Nation writer Kris Willis (unpublished)

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Feature on SB Nation writer Kris Willis (unpublished)

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11/04/2022

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Riley following in Chipper's footsteps vs Mets - Braves Today

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Riley following in Chipper's footsteps vs Mets - Braves Today

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8/14/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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As the Braves showered 40 runs in last weekend's four-game series on the Mets, Austin Riley bashed the ball all around Citi Field - bringing flashbacks of Chipper Jones hushing Shea Stadium in his days as Atlanta's third baseman.

11 years after Jones hung 'em up, Riley is cooking up something similar against Atlanta's division foes in his fifth season in the MLB. Last weekend, he went 6-for-17 with seven runs scored, two homers, two walks and five RBI.

Mets fans aren't chanting Austin's name yet, as they chanted "Larry! Larry! Larry," Chipper's birth name, as he walked to the plate. Those days might be coming, though, if he keeps tormenting the Mets at this pace.

Jones hit .309 with 265 hits, 99 extra-base hits, 49 homers, 159 RBI and 265 runs scored with a .406/.543/.949 slash line in 245 career games against the Mets. 19 homers in Shea Stadium, the Mets' home before Citi Field, was the most for Jones in any road ballpark.

On the other hand, Riley is just getting started with a .297 batting average, 69 hits, 18 homers, 38 RBI and 49 runs scored with a .364/.582/.946 slash line in 63 games versus the Mets. What draws such comparison, though, is the moments the two Atlanta third baseman have come through in to help drown the Mets.

The Division Race

"We're coming for 'em," Riley famously said in a post-game interview last September before hunting down the Mets for the team's fifth consecutive NL East title in 2022.

We all know the story. The Braves trailed the Mets by 10.5 games in the NL East to begin June 2022, and the Braves marched all the way back to snatch their fifth consecutive division title. The glorious run was capped off by a sweep of the Mets in the next-to-last series of the season before the Braves clinched the title versus the Marlins in the coming days.

In that series, Riley went 4-for-8 while scoring a timely run in each game, and it was Riley who got the party started in that huge sweep of the Mets in Truist Park. In the second inning of game one, Riley answered the Mets' run to open the scoring with a 422-foot, solo blast off of Jacob DeGrom to even the score.

Olson followed Riley by going 430 feet for a back-to-back shot, and the next day, Olson drove in Riley in the fourth inning to answer a Mets first-inning run. In game three, Riley scored the decisive go-ahead run on a Travis D'Arnaud single to seal the sweep.

Jones sparked his team over the Mets the same way.

"Now all the Mets fans can go home and put their Yankees stuff on," Jones famously said in a post-game interview in 1999 after sweeping the Mets.

When he said that, he had just completed a four-homer series that helped the Braves sweep the Mets and extend the division lead to eight games with nine games remaining in 1999. The lead had been one game just 10 days earlier, but the Braves took five-of-six from the Mets and swept Montreal to put it out of reach for New York.

But before they were bona fide Mets slayers, the two third baseman jumpstarted their careers against the Mets.

Making a Name

Jones became a Mets tormenter early in his career. His first career homer was a game-winner off of the Mets in 1995.

After missing the 1994 season with a torn ACL, Jones had to reintroduce himself to the MLB after making his debut at the end of 1993. He did so accordingly, leading off the ninth inning by crushing a Josias Manzanillo fastball from the left side, resulting in a 3-2 Braves victory in the 13th game of the season.

Before he had even cemented himself as the Braves' third baseman, he was filling in in the outfield, just like Riley did in 2019.

In his first Citi Field at bat in June 2019 after debuting in May, Riley launched a 98 MPH DeGrom fastball far into the left field seats for a two-run shot in a game one win. The very next day, he hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning off Seth Lugo to give the Braves a 5-4 lead and a series win.

The World Series Runs

There is no bigger stage than the World Series. Jones and Riley both paved the way for the Braves to get there in Atlanta's two most recent titles, and that meant trucking the Mets in the process.

Riley has put up some great numbers versus the Mets, but none better than in the 2021 season en route to the World Series. In his first full season as the Braves' third baseman, he took the Mets deep seven times with 19 RBI, going 23-for-67 with 49 total bases in 19 games. This includes a two-homer game with a grand slam in a 12-5 win in July. He slugged an insane .731 against the Mets that year. He has only further cemented his starting job since then.

Chipper's 1995 season was remarkable and the start was historic, but his 1999 season really stamped him as a villain in New York. Along with his four-homer, division-sealing series, he slugged 1.000 with seven homers and 16 RBI while going 16-for-40 with 40 total bases against the Mets that year leading up to the Braves' World Series loss.

Jones exemplified consistency in his 19-year MLB career, and now the shoes are Riley's to fill. He has things down pat against the Mets, and his dominance in division play is helping him find consistency early in his career.

Upcoming Showdowns

In his fourth season as the starting third baseman, Riley is 15-for-41 with three homers versus the Mets, tying the Marlins for the second-most he has against any team this year (four versus Phillies, Brewers and Diamondbacks).

The Braves only see the Mets for one more three-game series this season. After hosting the Yankees and Giants, the Mets will be the finale of a nine-game homestand for the Braves, starting next Monday, August 21.

Sitting at 28 homers after he hit 38 and 33 the past two seasons, there is reason to expect more in that series. His best months have been in July and August, when he has posted .962 and .982 OPS' with nine and four homers so far, respectively.

His recent success, along with two homers in the recent series with New York, gives a glimpse of things to come for the newest Mets slayer.
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Riley carrying Chipper's legacy as Met killer

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Eleven years after Chipper Jones retired, Austin Riley has picked up the mantle as Destroyer of the New York Mets

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Acuña takes MLB lead in steals - Braves Today

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Acuña takes MLB lead in steals - Braves Today

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7/18/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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With his 44th stolen base in the sixth inning of tonight's shootout with the Diamondbacks, Ronald Acuña has taken the MLB lead in stolen bases.

He's already surpassed his previous career high, he's bested last year's major-league best 41 steals in the entire 2022 season and now Atlanta's All-Star has zoomed past Esteury Ruiz to take the league lead for the first time this year.

Acuña has stolen seven bags in seven attempts in July, while Ruiz of the A's is currently in the middle of a stint on the 10-day IL. After Ruiz, there is a huge gap before the third-highest base stealers, Wander Franco of the Rays and rookie Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks, who have just 28 a piece. Carroll has also stolen two bags tonight off the Braves to get to 28.

It has only taken Acuña 51 tries to get to 44 steals, as he has only been caught seven times - giving him an 86% success rate.

In an MVP-caliber year thus far, Acuña is now on pace to steal around 76 bags. That is not only likely to give him the MLB lead, that would be a modern-day franchise record - overtaking Otis Nixon's 72 steals in 1991.

The all-time record for the Braves franchise is held by King Kelly, who stole 84 bases in 1887 at the age of 29 for the Boston Beaneaters. We don't know how prolific a basestealer he was in his career, however, as he debuted in 1878 and stolen bases weren't an official statistic until 1886.
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Ronald Acuña Jr becomes new MLB stolen base leader

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Ronald Acuña Jr passes Oakland's Esteury Ruiz for the stolen base lead

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Acuña set to break stolen base records - Braves Today

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Acuña set to break stolen base records - Braves Today

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6/24/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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Acuña matata. Okay, I might have added a teeny little accent mark, but it's for good reason.

The Lion King taught us that the saying means no worries for the rest of your days. Well, when Ronald Acuña Jr. is on base, it's opposing defenses who are doing the worrying.

75 games into the season, the leading NL All-Star vote getter has swiped 33 bags, 2nd most in the MLB and four under his career best single season mark. And he's only been caught six times.

This has him below just the A's Esteury Ruiz (39) for the MLB lead in steals, and he's looking like a potential candidate to challenge Otis Nixon's franchise record 72 steals in a season that hasn't been contested since it was accomplished in 1991.

With this year's introduction of bigger bases, increasing from 15 to 18 inches square, there has been an obvious increase in aggressiveness from the already-dynamic Acuña. The rule change has been seemingly synchronized with his return to full health this season.

While those factors seem like fine print compared to Acuña's hot bat this season, his baserunning has made him a gamechanger in ways that stats can't fully explain. But I'll give it a go anyway.

Combined with a .403 OBP, 16 home runs and 171 total bases, the leadoff hitter's ability to swipe the extra bag has put him at the top of the MLB in runs scored with 66. At 100 hits with a .329 batting average, he already makes a great case for being the most explosive leadoff batter in the game. Add in 33 stolen bases and three times this season snatching third base and catching a defense napping, there really is no resting when he's on base. Even in the case that he stays put, his threatening presence is taking extra attention from the infield to hold him where he is, making the two hole in Atlanta a money hole.

The Braves have had Matt Olson and now Ozzie Albies following Acuña in the lineup this year, and both sluggers are top 10 in the MLB in RBI, with 55 and 53, respectively. Those guys are also the Braves' top two home run hitters, with Acuña nipping at Albies' heels.

Not only is the distraction of Acuña on the base paths helping get them good pitches to hit, it's getting himself good pitches to hit. Who would want to walk a guy who is a constant threat to steal? His 37 walks and 62 singles this year all seem like potential doubles or triples. And he's only struck out 45 times.

So pick your poison, pitchers. No matter what they throw him, he's going to make his way around the bases. He trails only Shohei Ohtani in total bases by four, walks by two and has 17 more hits and 26 fewer strikeouts.

I don't bring up Ohtani to start debates but to show that Acuña changes the game in ways even the most daunting hitters don't.

He accounts for over half of the Braves' 54 stolen bags - which ranks 15th in the league as a team. And he is leading a charge for a Braves team that ranks third overall in runs with 414 (Rangers- 455, Rays- 444), as well as first in homers with 134 and first in the NL in hits (693).

At 48-27, the Braves have the best record in the NL and rank second in the MLB to the Rays. This isn't just good - it has potential to be historic. Acuña is on pace for about 71 stolen bases, and the Braves are on pace to win 104 games - both ranking just below franchise records. Atlanta's stolen base record is 72, held by Otis Nixon in 1991, and the franchise's most regular-season wins was 106 in 1998.
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Ronny rocketing around the bases at historic rate

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Our Noah Griffith has thoughts on Ronald Acuña Jr's prolific baserunning this season

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Glenwood HS stays undefeated on senior night

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Glenwood HS stays undefeated on senior night

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10/25/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH
FOR THE OBSERVER

SMITHS STATION -
A week after clinching the top seed in its region, Glenwood honored its seniors before giving way to the program's future in a 49-8 victory over Morgan Academy on senior night.
Three senior receivers hauled in touchdowns for the Gators within the first four minutes of the game - the first six offensive snaps. On the third play of the night, senior Eli Bankston snagged his first career TD catch before seniors Griff Garner and Brayden Gooden followed - hauling in passes from three-year starter and senior quarterback, Dallas Crow.
"I'm blessed to be their coach, and thankful that we have 20 seniors that are phenomenal kids, great character guys and great players," said head coach Ryan Nelson. "It's been a fun bunch to coach ... I can't say enough about them and how tight they are and how much of a family culture we have in our locker room."
While Crow and the starters improved to 9-0 and continued their undefeated season in dominating fashion, their nights ended before halftime. Up 42-8 going to the break, Glenwood showed off a glimpse of the program's future in the second half, playing mostly all freshman, junior varsity and underclassmen to wrap up the win.
After sophomore running back Carter Judah pounded one in from 10 yards out and senior Levi Pinder hit junior River Baker for a TD to make it 35-0 after a quarter, freshman QB Trey Claridy and freshman RB Josiah Clark first appeared in the second quarter.
Claridy, who "has a little Crow in him" with his shifty running and ability to throw on the move, started his night by leading a scoring drive. The drive included a few long QB keepers and was capped off by a TD scamper from Claridy to end the half with a 34-point lead. The Gators held onto that lead and tacked on in the third quarter with a Clark rushing TD.
The young defense also kept Morgan scoreless for the remainder of the game, marking two weeks in a row where the Gators have surrendered just one score. More importantly, Nelson said everyone was able to stay healthy and rested after blowout wins in two straight weeks.
"We came in here tonight and did what we wanted to do," Nelson said. "We're 9-0, and you know, we're looking forward to a big one next week."
Looking to stay undefeated in the season finale, however, will not be an easy task. Glenwood will go on the road to Chambers Academy (8-1), who hasn't lost a game since a week one loss to Lee-Scott, 14-6.
With the region title and first-round playoff bye already secured, Nelson is looking forward to the final test of a clean slate in his second year leading the Gators. This would be Glenwood's first undefeated regular season since 2020.
But Glenwood's hopes go beyond the regular season. It is vying for the program's first ever state championship victory in what is set to be its final year in the AISA.
Glenwood's playoff race all starts in the semi-final round at Glenwood on Thursday, Nov. 9, but not until the Gators go for an undefeated season next Friday.

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Undefeated Glenwood strolls past Morgan on senior night

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BY NOAH GRIFFITHFOR THE OBSERVER SMITHS STATION -A week after clinching the top seed in its region, Glenwood honored its seniors before giving way to the program's future in a 49-8 victory over Mor...

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4/12/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH

FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN -

On Monday, April 10, the highly anticipated opening of Buc-ee's in Auburn lived up to all the hype.

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders prepares to cut the ribbon at the Buc-ee's grand opening.

Buc-ee the Beaver accompanied Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr. and company for a ribbon cutting that will change the Auburn landscape forever. Sitting beside the I-85 ramp that welcomes many from Montgomery and Atlanta to The Plains, the 53,470-square-foot building will be a one-stop shop for many on game days, road trips or, as shown by the opening-day frenzy, anytime people feel the craving for a fresh brisket sandwich, egg-and-cheese biscuit or any delicacy your mind can think of.

With 120 gas tanks, a store full of food and supplies, a spacious parking lot, clean bathrooms and much more, Buc-ee's is set to have an impact far beyond the store.

"Buc-ee's has established an anchor here that will spur growth and redevelopment in this area for years to come," Anders said. "When we have talked about Buc-ee's and the citing impact it will have on our community and Lee County in general, we really mean it. The property and sales taxes that will be generated from this establishment will boost the city services as well as public education in our city and across our county, touching the lives of all of Auburn and Lee County's children."

A Buc-ee's truck holds plenty of Buc-ee's plushies inside the new store.

In addition to the natural economic boost it will bring, Buc-ee's has agreed to donate $50,000 annually to community programs and activities that will be used at the discretion of the city. Buc-ee's will also provide hundreds of jobs to the community, something that Buc-ee's Owner Arch "Beaver" Aplin said he takes pride in.

"On the way in, I saw a billboard that said 'now hiring: $17-22 an hour.' That makes us very happy, and we are lucky to be able to provide those kinds of great jobs for communities," Aplin said. "The mayor mentioned 175 jobs - I can pretty much assure you there'll be a whole bunch more than 175 to take care of this location and to provide the services that we want to serve."

The city of Auburn and Buc-ee's both voiced their appreciation for one another and their willingness to work together to bolster an already-growing community. Not only are they looking to add life to a college town, their mission is to serve families, and as Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville said, bring the youth back to the community.

At the end of the day, Buc-ee's has something for everyone. It will fuel many tailgates, fill many tanks, charge quite a few Teslas - but at its core, it will put a smile on people's faces.

"It's family friendly, first and foremost," said Auburn City Council Ward 8 Member Tommy Dawson. "They really treat you nice when you walk in the door, and it's got a hometown atmosphere about it. And I really think it will be a nice addition to football Saturdays in the fall. It's a good place to pick up tailgating supplies and things of that nature."

Stay tuned for for a special twist to the Auburn Buc-ee's. As of now, it is selling its normal items, but as the merchandising team receives more data on what customers are buying in the coming months, the store will cater its supplies toward community demand, said a Buc-ee's estate advisor.

Scroll through more photos from the event below:

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The Wait Is Over: Buc-ee's Opens in Auburn

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN - On Monday, April 10, the highly anticipated opening of Buc-ee's in Auburn lived up to all the hype. Buc-ee the Beaver accompanied Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr. and company for a ribbon cutting that will change the Auburn landscape forever.

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Student etiquette part 1: disability etiquette

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Student etiquette part 1: disability etiquette

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Date: 9/18/23

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Let’s talk about etiquette: Students with disabilities - The Auburn Plainsman

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For many students, moving to college might be the first time interacting with people with disabilities or dealing with a person that has a type of disability they’ve never seen or heard of before. 
With no guidance, disability etiquette can seem tough, but it is more simple than people think. H…

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Early Braves All-Star projections - Braves Today

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Early Braves All-Star projections - Braves Today

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5/08/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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It's creeping up on us. We're over a month into the MLB season already and this year's Midsummer Classic is just over two months away.

The Braves had six All-Star participants last year, with Ronald Acuña Jr. earning a starting bid and William Contreras filling in as the starting DH for Bryce Harper, and they were joined by Max Fried, Travis D'Arnaud, Dansby Swanson, and late addition Austin Riley.

This year in Seattle, they might have just as many or more, if things go according to plan for the Braves. The team owns the best record in the National League entering Monday's off day, and there are several individuals who are making it possible.

Here are some Braves players who look destined for a roster spot in the 2023 All-Star game:

Starters:

Reserves:

As it currently stands, I think six Braves are in line to make the all-star roster - the same total as last season. But that leaves reigning all-star Fried on the table. With a 2.08 ERA and 25 Ks to six walks, he is definitely still in the running, but he has only started five games for a total of 26 innings and only one quality start. With his health being questionable so far this season, Fried hasn't proved himself all-star-worthy just yet.

Raisel Iglesias is another guy who's been brilliant, but the sample size is just too small. He has only thrown two frames since his return, but each batter he's faced has been an out - two on strikes. If he keeps shoving like that, the Braves closer has plenty of time to make a run.

It is still early. All-star voting doesn't start for nearly another month, so there's still time for guys like Austin Riley and Michael Harris to turn on the jets, but as it stands, these are the guys who look primed to star in the 93rd edition of the Midsummer Classic.
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It's creeping up on us. We're over a month into the MLB season already and this year's Midsummer Classic is just over two months away. The Braves had six All-Star participants last year, with Ronald Acuña Jr.

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Date: 1/24/2022

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Dear President Gogue and staff:

Feeling scared, embarrassed, helpless and angry, I sat on my parked walker, looking back as people sprinted past me toward Auburn Arena. I realized my hard-earned spot in line that I had held for the past two hours flew to the wind. So I sat there, looking behind me to make sure people saw me and wouldn't run me over.

After a long day of work and classes, I was pumped to go see the No. 2 Auburn basketball team take on the rival Georgia Bulldogs. Now, it seemed unlikely that I could even get into the arena before it reached full capacity.

Students have made a habit of sprinting toward the arena and into the student section as soon as the doors open. As a disabled person, even if I am able to get there early and get a good spot in line, other students run ahead of me, so people behind me in line still get better seats.

That is the reality I, along with the rest of the students in the disabled community, face when attending Auburn basketball games.

Luckily, this time, a guy behind me saw what was happening to me when everyone ran ahead and offered to help me get up to the line safely, so I was able to get in that game. People who stop to be aware of their surroundings are willing to do something, but in a situation where everyone is worried about getting their own spot in the arena, they aren't many.

After an exciting weekend of basketball on The Plains and arguably the biggest win in the history of the program against "Blue Blood" Kentucky, all seems to be well with Auburn students. The Jungle had an incredible turnout, and students got to celebrate the win with head coach Bruce Pearl and the team.

People are aware of the way the Auburn students showed up for the program against No. 12 Kentucky. Many students braved frigid weather conditions and camped outside of Auburn Arena starting Friday morning before the game at noon on Saturday. Props to them for their dedication.

What happened to people who were not able to set up a tent and spend a night outside in under-30-degree weather? They were not able to get into the arena on Saturday.

Through all of the excitement, students in the disabled community were left stranded. We did not get to celebrate with the team. We did not get to show our school pride. We did not get to make those memories. We were excluded.

Auburn has accessible seating available in the arena, but that does not negate the difficult, tiring process of getting into the arena. Seating is only an option after getting into the building when doors open an hour and a half prior to the game's start time.

Auburn also has a shuttle running from an accessible parking lot to the arena doors. So disabled people should be set to enjoy the game, right?

There is only one problem. Students have to wait in a line that extends multiple blocks around the Village hours before games. In the case of the Kentucky game, the line began forming over a day before tip-off. By the time students endured the line, getting into the game was not a guarantee for those near the back.

Understandably, the gates close once the arena reaches full capacity.

Therefore, not only do students have to walk to the end of the line, they have to make their way into the arena, trying to find a seat that might or might not be available.

So just arrive early, right?

It is not that easy for everyone.

It is currently January, and it is about as cold as it gets here in Alabama. In fact, temperatures fell below freezing Friday night and Saturday morning. Some people are affected much more heavily by the cold than an able-bodied person, and waiting outside for hours is not a viable option.

As a person living with Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare, neuromuscular disease, my hands and feet go numb in the cold, and my coordination worsens. This makes it difficult to walk, use my phone and do many routine things. I use a walker, so I need my hands to grip the handles and keep me upright and my feet to be functional to walk without falling.

Not to mention, someone with a weakened immune system could catch a sickness such as pneumonia or a cold from sitting out in the cold, windy weather. In this COVID-19 era, this is especially troubling because anytime you catch a sickness, the possibility that it is the virus is scary.

These things make attending an Auburn basketball game an unenjoyable experience for disabled people in what otherwise could be such an exciting and memorable season for students.

Having a wheelchair-accessible seating row is simply not enough to accommodate disabled students and make going to games an enjoyable experience.

The accessible seating is also separated from the student section, so students with disabilities are excluded from the jungle and don't get the fan experience. This also keeps disabled people from sitting with their able-bodied friends. The message this sends is that disabled students are secondary in importance to able-bodied students and that the University does not care if students with disabilities get to attend and enjoy games.

Disabled students can easily enjoy the game from the front row of the student section, but they are not able to get there because other students get there quicker and take those spots. For me, going up stairs is very difficult, but I can stand (as long as I have a seat to rest on periodically) or sit on ground level with my walker on the front row.

For events in the arena, on the front row I can hold onto my walker. For football games, I can cling onto the rail that goes across the first row of each section. My friends help me go up one stair and then I am set. I usually have to squeeze in between people's feet to sit on the row behind me when I get tired, but people usually don't mind.

I have emailed the Athletics Ticket Office and Office of Accessibility about my issues getting into basketball games, and this is the only response I received:

"We know standing in line might be tough, but there is no way we can hold [seats] as other students might need accessible seats as well," the tickets office said.

When I emailed back and persisted respectfully that we try to work something out, I was ignored.

The success of Auburn basketball is the talk around campus this year, and it is arguably the most exciting thing going on in Auburn. In the poll on Monday morning, Auburn claimed its first No. 1 ranking in school history. This is historic, and disabled students are not able to be there to witness it.

Auburn claims to be diverse and inclusive, but they have failed in this category. Things need to change.

Dear Auburn, I have loved my time on The Plains, and that is why I am here to stay. I have learned a lot here. The Auburn family is real, and there are lots of people who do care, such as the guy who stopped in the middle of a stampede of students to help me. If I didn't think people cared then I wouldn't have written this.

However, I am hurt and saddened by Auburn's unwillingness to help me and other students with disabilities enjoy athletics and make those unforgettable, happy memories with our friends and the rest of the student body.

Dear Auburn, please take action.

Thanks,

Noah Griffith

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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COLUMN | Auburn Arena built for able-bodied students

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The success of Auburn basketball is the talk around campus this year, and it is arguably the most exciting thing going on in Auburn. In the poll on Monday morning, Auburn claimed its first No. 1 ranking in school history. This is historic, and disabled students are not able to be there to witness it.

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Seating policy change in response to Auburn Arena accessibility issues column

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Seating policy change in response to Auburn Arena accessibility issues column

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Date: 1/28/2022

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I asked; Auburn delivered.

After my last column calling for change to the Auburn student section for disabled students, Auburn has acted. On Friday morning, Athletics announced several changes to The Jungle benefitting students with mobility-impairments attending basketball games in Auburn Arena.

Changes are listed in this morning's email to students from Auburn University Athletics. Adaptations are as follows:

Accessible seating in The Jungle will now be reserved in a limited fashion for students with disabilities. Students in need of accommodations can contact the Office of Accessibility at 334-844-2096 or accessibility@auburn.edu to reserve those seats. The seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis for students who have reserved them.

Students with disabilities also no longer have to wait in the long student line outside Auburn Arena. They will receive instructions on entrance upon reservation of the seats. All requests for attending the basketball games through the Office of Accessibility must be made by 12 p.m. the day before the game.

No more sitting in the cold, no more stampedes and no more spending hours of time in line just to lose your spot. Much-needed change has arrived on the Plains for the disabled community.

This change can be credited to not just me and my column, but the whole Auburn Family. Change came from all the people who read my column, shared the message on Instagram and Twitter and spread the word.

My column started the reaction, and the Auburn Family ran with it. They showed up in a bigger way than I imagined. As of publication, the original post received 69 retweets, 117 likes and six replies on Twitter, not to mention the likes and shares on other platforms. That is what brought about this change.

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This is the power of journalism. It allowed me to stand up for what is right, be a voice for the disabled community and spur change for the better.

Auburn has taken a big step toward achieving inclusivity and mending what is broken in the student body.

Dear Auburn, thank you for listening and for responding. This means the world to me and the disabled community. Your hard work to make this change will impact us greatly.

To the Auburn student body, never doubt how much Auburn cares for you. Follow my example - if you see injustice, say something. Don't let it go unnoticed. Change is achievable.

Support The Plainsman

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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COLUMN | Auburn listened: New seating policy in The Jungle for students with disabilities

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I asked; Auburn delivered. After my last column calling for change to the Auburn student section for disabled students, Auburn has acted. On Friday morning, Athletics announced several changes to The Jungle benefitting students with mobility-impairments attending basketball games in Auburn Arena. Changes are listed in this morning's email to students from Auburn University Athletics.

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Auburn fans call for changes in accessibility to the football stadium

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Auburn fans call for changes in accessibility to the football stadium

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Date: 10/21/2022

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Ever since she was a baby, going to football games in Jordan-Hare Stadium has been a family tradition for 42-year old Lindsay McDonald.

She grew up going to watch her father, Johnny McDonald, play for Auburn. After her father retired from football, he joined Lindsay and her mom watching the games from the stands, but now he watches from home.

Lindsay and her mom still attend the games, but getting to their seats is an ordeal now. Lindsay walks slowly one step in front of her 73-year old mom, while she clings onto Lindsay for dear life. Lindsay glances down periodically to make sure her mom's feet are climbing the stairs safely.

Her mom suffers from neuropathy and has trouble sensing where her limbs are in space, but she continues to brave the stairs for her beloved Tigers. After all, that is what she's been doing on Saturdays for over 40 years.

But her husband, Lindsay's dad, isn't as fortunate. He has a bad knee from his days on the football field. Climbing the steep, rail-less stairs in Jordan-Hare Stadium simply isn't worth risking a fall onto the hard concrete. Besides, Lindsay only has so many arms to hold onto.

Unfortunately, the story of the McDonald family's troubles with the stairs in the stadium isn't a unique one.

Fans of all ages and backgrounds have struggled to travel up and down the steep stairs of Jordan-Hare Stadium. According to 55-year-old Auburn football season ticket holder Lynn Jones, fans maneuvering the steps is a "mistake waiting to happen."

Fans with physical ailments who are brave enough to attend games often rely on others to help them with the stairs. Getting up to go to the bathroom, get food or drinks or venture around the stadium is like a kid maneuvering a jungle gym.

"I have seen total strangers go out of their way every game to help [people up the stairs], but I mean, I don't want to fall on somebody," said 53-year old Auburn alumna Carolyn Thomley. "I don't want to fall period, but I certainly don't want to take other people out when I go."

Despite a statement from Auburn Athletics saying that accessibility is something they prioritize, fans have still voiced safety concerns as a result of the "worrisome" stairs in the stadium.

"Auburn University prioritizes accessibility within all its facilities, and Jordan-Hare Stadium is no different," said Auburn football Sports Information Director Kirk Sampson on behalf of the Athletics Department. "Handrails are located throughout the stadium to assist fans with maneuvering stairs. Some areas may contain single handrails to ensure safe ingress and egress for all attendees."

The e-mail went on to say that attendees can contact Stadium Control (334-844-2807) or Text Assist (334-591-4357) if accessibility issues arise.

"Auburn remains committed to responding to the needs of its guests and to ensuring accessibility for all," Sampson said.

However, fans have voiced frustration and concern that there are no handrails to grab and, according to fans, the low traction and the lack of color changes to help with visibility makes slipping easy, especially when it is wet.

"I think they need to, maybe not have an entire railing go down, but at each step maybe have one of those rounded handles. Something for people to grab onto if they start to fall," Jones said. "There's just not anything to hold onto except for each other. We've seen, especially a lot of older people, just fall and tumble down the stairs."

Children to students to elderly fans who have been attending Auburn games for years all have the same dilemma: the options are to attend games and struggle with the stairs or miss out on game day in Jordan Hare.

Auburn senior in rehabilitation and disability studies, Maegan Johnson, feels isolated by her difficulties using the stairs. She wants to sit and enjoy the football games with her sorority or with the EAGLES program, but because she has to rely on her friends to help her up the stairs, she opted out of buying student tickets in her second year at Auburn.

For Johnson, the stair issues strip away her independence and make her feel like she causes others trouble.

"There are no rails going downstairs, so I was never able to sit with my friends because it was a struggle to walk down stairs," Johnson said. "I'd have to hold onto a friend, and that scared me because if I fell, she would fall with me."

While freshman in genetics, Mia Deaton, offered a solution for students to submit a concern to Auburn Answers for SGA to attempt to resolve the issue, this is an issue that has more far-reaching effects that primarily students.

SGA deals with any issues that deal with Auburn's campus, so how much they can fix this accessibility issue for all of Auburn is unknown.

However, for fans like Jones and her family, Auburn Answers is not an available resource.

As she and her husband venture up to row 10 of section 16, she hangs onto her husband, and her 8-year old granddaughter trails just behind, slowly advancing one step at a time and glancing down at her feet in between steps. The girl has no mobility issues and no disability, but she is still "terrified" of falling, Jones said.

Jones is from Milton, Florida, and she and her husband have been traveling down for Auburn home games for about 14 years. The couple has season tickets, and she said attending Auburn games would "basically become a new experience" with the addition of stair rails.

"[Making changes to the stairs] would be great," Jones said. "It would definitely improve the

quality of our experience if we could make sure that we could get up and down the stairs safely, get up the ramp, and get faster access to food and water."

What seems to frustrate fans the most is the lack of knowledge on the ADA requirements of Jordan Hare - for some, there has to be a reason why rails are not already there, but that reason is unknown by the public.

The Plainsman attempted to call different ADA leaders in Alabama and contact people in the Auburn Athletics Department about the issue, but received no response except Sampson's e-mail.

"I don't see how there could be a possible bad outcome of putting in rails," Thomley said. "Am I missing something? What's the down side?... I could see somebody saying 'Hey, I fell. I'm suing.' I don't know what would be cheaper: to settle that or to put some rails in."

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

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Auburn fans call for changes to 'worrisome' stairs of Jordan-Hare Stadium - The Auburn Plainsman

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Ever since she was a baby, going to football games in Jordan-Hare Stadium has been a family tradition for 42-year old Lindsay McDonald. She grew up going to watch her father, Johnny McDonald, play for Auburn. After her father retired from football, he joined Lindsay and her mom watching the games from the stands, but now he watches from home.

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Date: 10/13/2022

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5/11/23

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In a game she started, Maddie Penta exited during a disastrous third inning. In the end, she earned the save and gave No. 3 seed Auburn its first SEC Tournament win since 2019, defeating No. 11 Ole Miss, 8-7.

Struggling uncharacteristically with command, Penta allowed five runs on seven hits, four walks and three hit batters after only walking 41 to 279 strikeouts all season, but she kept her composure and re-entered the game for the first time this season and pitched a scoreless final two innings to earn her third save of the season.

In a game where its ace didn't have her best stuff, Auburn gave up six runs in the third inning and held a four-run deficit to Ole Miss, but in her first SEC Tournament game, Icess Tresvick erased it. She blasted her ninth homer of the year, a two-run blast, to kick off a three-run fifth where the Tigers recaptured the lead.

After her homer, Auburn kept the rally going by loading the bases, and Rose Roach punched a ball through the right side for a go-ahead RBI single. Looking to add on, Auburn extended the miscues in the game, as Makayla Packer ran into a double play at third base to end the inning before Aspyn Godwin could give Auburn an insurance run.

With Penta's fourth HBP with the bases loaded in the seventh, it looked like base running errors such as Packer's, along with Nelia Peralta being gunned down at the plate in the first inning and Roach running into a fielder's choice at third on a ground ball to shortstop, would sink Auburn.

The game was momentarily knotted at eight and the Auburn players were left covering their eyes, but the third HBP review in the game had a different result: the Ole Miss batter was sent back to the plate after it was ruled that she moved into the pitch.

There were two outs, but the bases remained loaded. Penta advanced the count to 3-0, and a walk meant a re-tied game, but Penta then remembered who she was and threw three straight strikes to get her fourth K of the day and seal Auburn's 40th win of the season - tying last season's total.

"I just had to remember who I am. The person that came out here today is not who I am. Just remembering that I'm Maddie Penta. I'm sorry, but I am," Penta said in her post-game interview.

Despite giving up her season-high five runs for the third time this season and the first time since March to No. 1 Oklahoma, Penta finished strong and earned her third save of the season.

Auburn gave up 11 hits and walked four while only striking out six, but despite the Tigers committing two errors, Ole Miss committed three in a game with plenty of hard contact. This allowed Auburn to get back in the game after giving up six in the top of the third.

The Tigers benefitted from putting the ball in play, only striking out twice in the game.

Auburn loaded the bases with one out in the third and Ole Miss committed two consecutive throwing errors, allowing two to score on a sacrifice fly from Garcia and another on a grounder to second by Aspyn Godwin. That gave Auburn life, putting it back within one after giving up six in the previous frame.

Keeping Auburn in the game, Annabelle Widra shut down the Ole Miss offense after allowing a homer to cap off the damage in the third. She went 2.2 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and two Ks to earn the win and improve to 9-5 on the season. In a game where Penta struggled with command, Widra entered and hammered the zone, walking none and inducing 12 flyouts.

While the pitching worked around a lot of additional runs, stranding 12 Ole Miss runners, Auburn notched its fourth conference game of the season where it scored more than six runs. The Tigers poured on eight runs on eight hits and five walks.

Individually, sophomores Tresvick and Roach shined and put together the tying and winning hits. Tresvick went 2-for-3 in her first game from the clean-up spot, scoring three runs and knocking in a pair of runs with a walk. Roach added on in her first postseason start, going 2-for-3 with a double and the game-winning RBI. Denver Bryant tallied Auburn's third multi-hit performance and third extra-base hit, going 2-for-4 with a double.

The offense was hot as it has been in a while, but the pitching struggled and endured a large workload. Penta there 105 pitches while Widra threw 60, leaving Shelby Lowe as the Tigers' only untaxed pitcher going into Friday's game.

With its first SEC Tournament win since 2019, Auburn (40-16) advanced to the tournament semifinals against the winner of No. 2 seed Georgia and No. 10 South Carolina in Fayetteville, Arkansas's Bogle Park. Auburn will have a turnaround of under 24 hours, as the first pitch of that game will come at 3 p.m. CST on ESPN2.

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

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Auburn storms back to win first SEC Tournament game since 2019 - The Auburn Plainsman

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In a game she started, Maddie Penta exited during a disastrous third inning. In the end, she earned the save and gave No. 3 seed Auburn its first SEC Tournament win since 2019, defeating No. 11 Ole Miss, 8-7.

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4/15/23

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No. 13 LSU put big swings on two pitches in Saturday's game two, and that was all it needed to take down No. 25 Auburn, 3-2, and even the series.

Against an LSU lineup featuring eight lefties, lefty Shelby Lowe took the mound for her first start in conference play this season and turned in perhaps her strongest outing of the season. She did not allow a base runner her first time through the order, but in the fourth inning, LSU's sole right-handed batter did enough damage to hand Lowe a tough-luck loss, making her 3-4 on the season.

11 batters in, Lowe was perfect, but she met her pitch count after four innings and her day ended there. She went four innings, striking out five while allowing two runs on two hits.

"I thought Shelby had a great outing," said head coach Mickey Dean. "It's always the small things. It's tough as a pitcher. One batter, one pitch can change the outcome of a game. They gave us an opportunity to win the game. There's no doubt about that."

After Lowe allowed a bloop single with two outs, Georgia Clark, LSU's home run leader, came to the plate and launched her 10th of the season to put the visiting Tigers up 2-1. Furthering the damage just enough, McKenzie Redoutey lined a gapper into left-center for an RBI double off of reliever Annabelle Widra in the fifth inning to give LSU a two-run lead that Auburn couldn't surmount.

Preceding that double was a leadoff walk, and the runner came around to score from first after Nelia Peralta mishandled the relay throw from the outfield and was unable to make a throw home. That run ended up being the difference in a tight ballgame with talented pitching and top-notch defenses on both sides.

"In these games, it always comes down to the small stuff," Dean said. "The things that you don't recognize - like a leadoff walk or a bobble on relay all in one inning. That's the difference in the game. We also had some base running miscues, so it is the little things."

Although Lindsey Garcia hit her team-best ninth homer of the season in the bottom of the sixth, the offense struggled to get the ball off the ground versus drop ball pitcher Sydney Berzon. Auburn made solid contact throughout the game, ending with just four strikeouts, but Berzon (12-3) induced 14 groundouts while keeping Auburn to three hits in her complete-game win.

Garcia and Peralta put Auburn on the board for the second straight game. Following a night where they both hit homers, Garcia knocked in both runs, going 2-for-3 with a homer. Peralta scored one of those runs and collected Auburn's only other hit, a double, and added a walk. That puts their averages at .312 and .336, respectively, and boosted Garcia to a team-leading 35 RBIs in her senior season.

"Lindsey is doing a great job making adjustments," Dean said. "You just hope the younger players on our team follow along and notice the adjustments that Lindsey has been able to make in-game. That's part of the process."

While Auburn struggled to rally offensively, the loud contact from sophomore Rose Roach through two starts at second base combined with the return of Aspyn Godwin, who suffered a concussion at Florida last weekend, in a pinch-hitting role stood as encouraging signs going into decisive game three.

The re-emergence of Lowe along with the strong relief appearance by Widra gave Maddie Penta the game off after her complete-game win in game one, gearing Auburn up for a rubber match as it looks to climb in the SEC standings. It is currently tied with Alabama and Florida for fourth in the conference at 8-6 in SEC play, a half-game behind Arkansas.

Auburn falls to 31-13, but there is still another game to play. In all likelihood, Penta will get the ball as Auburn goes for its third SEC series win of the season on Sunday at 3 p.m. CST on ESPN2.

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

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Auburn softball drops middle game to LSU, sets up decisive game three - The Auburn Plainsman

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No. 13 LSU put big swings on two pitches in Saturday's game two, and that was all it needed to take down No. 25 Auburn, 3-2, and even the series. Against an LSU lineup featuring eight lefties, lefty Shelby Lowe took the mound for her first start in conference play this season and turned in perhaps her strongest outing of the season.

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4/10/23

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No. 23 Auburn softball (29-12, 7-5 SEC) avoided a sweep at the hands of No. 18 Florida with a 7-0 win in game three. Bri Ellis did all the damage and more than Maddie Penta needed with one swing of the bat in the first inning, as both stars continued to climb the leaderboards in the process.

With only one out recorded in the game, Ellis followed Denver Bryant's RBI single with a three-run line-drive home run to make it 4-0, her 10th of the season. It puts her at half of her 20 homers as a freshman, and her career total of 30 boosted her to 10th in program history as a sophomore.

Taking the mound with a four-run lead, Penta proved that to be more than enough. After taking a tough-luck loss in a complete-game, two-run effort in game one, she improved to 17-5 with her ninth complete game of the season, fifth shutout of the season and eighth double-digit strikeout performance of her junior year. Her 10 Ks in the game pushed her over the 200-K mark for her second straight season, putting her at 579 career Ks.

Those stars continue to make history with plenty of time left in their Auburn careers, and it's helping Auburn do big things as a team. Not only did Auburn shutout a ranked opponent on Saturday, but it got its first win in Gainesville, Florida, since 2017.

The win pushes Auburn to fourth in the SEC standings behind Georgia, Tennessee and half a game behind Kentucky. With 15 games remaining in the season, Auburn is also 10 wins shy of its total from last season, when it ended the regular season at 39-14.

In the series finale, Auburn got out to a hot start and a strong finish. The Tigers put up a four-spot in the first inning, which was ended by an acrobatic diving grab from Icess Tresvick in right field.

After a pitching change in the first inning, Florida's Lexie Delbrey came in and got in a groove, and the scoreboard went blank until the seventh inning. She went 6.2 innings, allowing no hits with eight Ks.

Shortly after rain started to fall in the seventh, the Florida pitcher put Jesse Blaine and Aubrie Lisenby on with HBPs. With two outs, the ball kept bouncing away from the Gators on two consecutive errors, allowing Blaine, Lisenby and Abbey Smith to come around to score. This gave Auburn a seven-run lead to work with, only needing three outs.

Sporting a comfortable lead, Penta finished the game with back-to-back swinging Ks to strand a pair of runners.

This made Florida 0-for-15 on the day with runners on base. Penta used her rise ball-changeup combination to perfection, as all 10 of her strikeouts came by the swing-and-miss.

Despite losing its first SEC series since the beginning of March versus Georgia, Auburn ended the weekend on a strong note going into an action-packed week consisting of a midweek contest at home versus Troy on Wednesday and a three-game weekend set at home versus LSU.

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

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Stars keep climbing the record books as Auburn avoids sweep in Swamp - The Auburn Plainsman

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No. 23 Auburn softball (29-12, 7-5 SEC) avoided a sweep at the hands of No. 18 Florida with a 7-0 win in game three. Bri Ellis did all the damage and more than Maddie Penta needed with one swing of the bat in the first inning, as both stars continued to climb the leaderboards in the process.

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3/31/2023

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It's a conference game, not a home run derby, but don't tell Auburn that.

Auburn (27-9, 5-2 SEC) took down Ole Miss, 8-2, to open the series at Jane B. Moore field behind a season-high tying four homers that plated seven of the team's runs.

The onslaught of power came courtesy of the bottom of the order for the Tigers. Although leadoff hitter Nelia Peralta reached base for the 34th game this season and got her 10th multi-hit game of the campaign, it was hitters five through eight in the order that led the charge.

That part of the lineup saw a shuffle in order. Ellis, typical cleanup hitter, batted sixth, while Aubrie Lisenby moved up to fifth. Denver Bryant leapfrogged eight-hole hitter Aspyn Godwin to seventh in the order, as she has barreled the ball up better in recent play. The lineup shuffle played in Auburn's favor and helped Ellis find her swing again.

"[Moving down in the order] helped me see more pitches, and they pitch to each batter differently, so it's a different approach than if I was batting third," Ellis said. "So now I can see however many right-handed hitters we have up there and how the pitcher approaches them, and I can see more spin and get better timing."

The combination of Lisenby, Ellis, Bryant and Godwin delivered a 6-for-10 performance with four homers, accounting for all of Auburn's offense except for Peralta's pair of singles and Abbey Smith's run off a passed ball in the fifth inning. After hitting 86 bombs last season as a unit, the Tigers are up to 45 on the season with 20 games remaining in the regular season.

The explosion helped Ellis break out of a 2-for-25 slump she had going over the past nine games, and it was her first homer since March 10 at Georgia.

"I just feel really good right now. I feel really confident," Ellis said. "I kind of had to sit down and talk to myself and say, 'I got it, like I have to calm down and play.' I was up there just so uptight and swinging at everything and taking strikes. So, instead of worrying about balls and strikes, I was just up there seeing somehing I could hit and it worked out."

On the other hand, Bryant's 2-for-3 night has her batting average up to .298. It stands as her third multi-hit game this season after she started off slow in 2023 while making a comeback from an ACL tear last season. Bryant's resurgence is recognized by her teammates, and her situation is one that Godwin, now a graduate student, closely relates to.

"That's my best bud. I love me some Denver," Godwin said. "I'm glad that she's back from injury. It's hard; I know what she went through. I tore my ACL coming into Auburn, so my freshman year. I mean, I went through the same thing she did, so it's awesome to see her overcoming that because I know how she feels. It stinks."

While the dinger stole the show, Penta quietly shut down the Ole Miss offense with nine strikeouts while allowing just a pair of hits and walks on two runs (one earned) in the complete-game effort. The win improves the junior's record to 15-4, and she now has 175 Ks in 111.1 innings pitched this season.

But the complete game did not come without some trouble. Starting the sixth inning with an 8-1 lead, Penta loaded the bases to start with a HBP, single and walk before recording an out. The second Ole Miss run of the game came in to score on a passed ball but Penta took care of the rest, stranding two with a pair of infield flies and a timely punch-out.

"I didn't go out there (for the sixth inning) with as much focus as I should have. I just got a little bit lazy, honestly," Penta said. "Games are in good hands as you get further and further in and you have a lot of runs on them. I got lazy, and we paid for it. It is what it is, but it's good to work out of it. I haven't really been in a bases-loaded situation all year, so you know, always learning; always getting experience."

Starting the launch party the first time through the order, Ellis launched a moonshot down the left-field line for her ninth of the season in the second inning. Two batters later, Godwin hit one well past the scoreboard in left field to give her two straight games with a homer and five on the year. That gave Auburn a 3-0 lead after two innings, but that was just Auburn's warm-up.

Ole Miss got its first run in the third on a solo shot from Paige Smith, but Auburn put that rally to bed quickly.

A pair of two-run bombs from Lisenby (2) and then Bryant (3) put four runs on the board for Auburn in the fourth and seven runs in the last two frames. After Lisenby walked to start the fifth, Smith entered as a pinch-runner and came around to score on a passed ball to give Auburn a seven-run lead.

Ole Miss answered with another sole run in the sixth, but Penta stayed on for the seventh and sealed her seventh complete game this season with back-to-back strikeouts to slam the door on Auburn's fifth straight win.

Auburn marches into game two of the three-game set with Ole Miss with four consecutive conference wins. It will look to extend that run to five starting at 3 p.m. CST tomorrow on the SEC Network.

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Long ball powers Tigers past Rebels to open series - The Auburn Plainsman

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It's a conference game, not a home run derby, but don't tell Auburn that. Auburn (27-9, 5-2 SEC) took down Ole Miss, 8-2, to open the series at Jane B. Moore field behind a season-high tying four homers that plated seven of the team's runs.

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2/09/2023

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You live and you learn: Ellis headed into 2023 with new expectations - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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1/08/23

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With its back to the wall and in danger of falling to last place in the final rotation of its' opening meet, sophomore Sarah Hubbard took on vault and began a rally for the Tigers.

The vault specialist tied her career high with a 9.9, starting a chain that consisted of Cassie Stevens, Sunisa Lee and fifth-year Derriane Gobourne, who each slammed the door on their first meet of the new season and year with scores of 9.9 or better.

Despite Gobourne's career-high matching 9.95 on vault and Lee's all-around winning performance, No. 5 Auburn finished behind reigning National Champion Oklahoma and No. 4 Michigan for third place in its' Super 16 meet in Las Vegas to kick off 2023.

However, its' final score of 197.350 not only topped No. 10 UCLA, but it also improved on every other season-opening meet in Auburn history, including a 196.050 start last year.

"It was about developing our depth and testing ourselves coming into this meet, and I was really happy with how the team performed under the pressure," said head coach Jeff Graba. "We beat our program record and were up against great competition, so I'm excited. It was a great start, and we wanted to kick off the season the right way."

While it came in third in its' session behind No. 1 Oklahoma's 197.925, Auburn finished in fourth out of the 16 teams in Las Vegas. Looking outside its own standards, Auburn competed against three top 10 teams, its star gymnast, Lee, recorded the best overall score in her session and the Tigers put themselves within .575 of the last year's National Champions.

Entering the new campaign, the Tigers didn't have much replacing to do, as they only lost bar specialist Drew Watson following last season.

Olivia Hollingsworth filled her role on bars and started Auburn off strong with a 9.85, leading to a team score of 49.400 after the first rotation.

As a team, Auburn took a step up from its' 49.367 average on bars last season. While Hollingsworth, Gabby McLaughlin, Sophia Groth and Stevens all earned scores under 9.9, Gobourne posted a 9.9 before Lee boosted Auburn to second overall after one rotation with a 9.95.

Hollingsworth, a junior, also expanded her role from beam specialist to all-around competitor to start the season, competing in all four events and earning scores of 9.85, 9.675, 9.775 and 9.8. Groth and McLaughlin also increased their roles by being penciled in the lineup for three of Auburn's four rotations.

It only took Lee two rotations to pull out a perfect score. Along with the 10, she tallied a total score of 39.750 to earn the top all-around score of the joint session.

"The team did really well and did a great job putting everything together," Lee said. "Personally, I feel like I did everything I could. I had a couple of hiccups and I'm still trying to figure out my routines, but I'm just taking day by day and am happy with tonight."

Despite missteps resulting in low scores for Hollingsworth and Stevens on beam, Auburn's best event in 2022 where it ranked fourth nationally, Lee performed a routine to close out the rotation with her first perfect 10 of the season. But it couldn't keep Auburn from falling to third place, where it remained for the final two rotations.

After it broke its early tie with UCLA in the second rotation, Oklahoma rolled the rest of the way to a seemingly effortless victory, but Auburn made plenty of noise on its way out of the building.

Groth posted a 9.825, Hollingsworth a 9.8, Hubbard a 9.9, Stevens a 9.925 leading up to Lee and Gobourne to drop the mic in the final event with a 9.9 and 9.95, respectively. Together, Auburn tied the vault corps record with a 49.500 unit score.

"It felt great to hit that vault," Gobourne said. "I messed up my steps a little bit, but we've done so much in training that I just trusted myself and everybody in front of me. Tonight was so much fun and I'm so proud of us."

While it was a historic meet that set Auburn off to its best start in program history, Graba and the Tigers know they can't let their guard down now. Competing with the No. 1 team in the nation won't get Auburn down time. The No. 2 Florida Gators lurk next on the schedule on January 13 in Gainesville, Florida.

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Auburn gym notches program-best opener behind Lee's all-around win at Super 16 - The Auburn Plainsman

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A program record-record season opener only earned Auburn a third place finish in its Super 16 meet despite an explosive finish.

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1/08/23

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Depth was a question mark coming into the new season for Auburn women's basketball, but it was confident in the fact that it could turn to one of the best veteran duos in the nation as the freshman class ripened.

Aicha Coulibaly (16.7 PPG) and redshirt senior Honesty Scott-Grayson (15.8 PPG) proved to be everything they were last season and more in Auburn's first 13 games, but once SEC play hit, it all fell apart. This has been a common theme for the Tigers, as they haven't notched a winning record in conference play since the 2018-19 season.

That trend continued versus Alabama in front of the largest crowd for women's basketball this season, as the Tide swept Auburn off the floor in an 88-57 win in which Auburn never held the lead. Alabama, who swept three games with Auburn last season, improved to 13-4 and 2-2 in SEC play, while Auburn fell to 10-6 and 0-4 in SEC play.

Scott-Grayson missed the first three games of conference play, and Auburn lost all three, but the team expected to pick up where it left off once she - one of two seniors on the roster - returned. But on Sunday when she returned to the court in the first quarter, it didn't complete Auburn's dynamic duo. Head coach Johnnie Harris found out the day of the game that Aicha Coulibaly - Auburn's top scorer this season and last - is out with a concussion.

"We had AC, and now we don't have AC," Harris said. "We had to play players out of position. We got a bunch of young players playing; I just have to simplify things for them and make sure- make them better."

Scott-Grayson, who Harris said isn't at full strength, made an immediate impact by dumping an assist to freshman Kharyssa Richardson - who also came off the bench due to struggles in the previous three SEC games - in her first offensive possession. However, she was limited to six points in 17 minutes.

Individual minutes were dispersed fairly evenly among the team, except for senior guard Sania Wells, who was a workhorse on the floor for 32 minutes. The production from her in those minutes was a sort of bright spot in what was a disappointing outcome for Auburn. She splashed a pair of 3-pointers on her way to 13 points, but otherwise, Auburn's shooting night was dry.

In opposition to Alabama's 8-for-16 performance from beyond the arc and 57% shooting from the field, Auburn shot 35% from the field and 5-for-16 on 3-pointers. While the Tide cooled down from deep in the second half after a sizzling first half from Hannah Barber and the Tide, they still outscored Auburn 48-20 in the paint while outrebounding the Tigers 39-27.

"We'd let them drive and penetrate, we'd come over to help and then they'd kick it. We just didn't have the rotation down that we were supposed to have," Harris said. "We worked on it in practice, but then again we had [Coulibaly] up until yesterday. We're relying on players that haven't been in this position (before)."

Besides being down a key player, Auburn didn't take advantage of opportunities it created as well as Alabama. Both teams forced 15 turnovers, but the Tide scored 20 points off those turnovers while Auburn converted them to just nine. Alabama also created better looks consistently throughout the night and got to the rim with 17 assists compared to Auburn's eight.

Auburn has lost three of its last four games by double digits, but the other two were on the road at now 15-2 Ole Miss and by 52 at reigning national champion and undefeated South Carolina. But a 31-point throttling by Alabama leaves Auburn questioning how it's going to move forward without its two star players at full health.

Richardson, Wells and Mar'Shaun Bostic provided some offensive life for the Tigers, each scoring in double figures. Freshman Sydney Shaw led the team with five rebounds with nine points while splashing two 3s in the starting effort.

All 10 of Bostic's points came in the second half, and the sophomore guard did it while adding three rebounds, a team-leading three assists and two steals. But her surge that helped the bench to 29 points wasn't enough to even chip away at a deficit that sat at 21 at halftime. Alabama outscored Auburn 51-41 in the second half to secure its first double-digit SEC win of the year.

The team has to find a way to build on those small bits of individual success. As Harris said, it will take a team coming together to make up for the missed production from Coulibaly and Scott-Grayson.

It won't have much time to readjust, though. Next on the calendar is undefeated No. 7 LSU in Baton Rouge. While this offers a tough, physical threat, it poses a big opportunity for Auburn to build some confidence in a young, growing team that is forced to find a new identity.

"I mean, this is what we have, and we got to get them ready to play," Harris said. "(Without key players) the entire game plan changes. So, that was a little tough, but that's just the way it goes. That can happen at any time. Somebody else has to step up, and I gotta get that person ready - or, those people ready. You won't replace (Coulibaly and Scott-Grayson's absences) with one person."

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SEC struggles continue for Auburn versus Tide - The Auburn Plainsman

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Down a top scorer for its fourth straight SEC game, Auburn failed to keep up with Alabama in a blowout loss.

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Date: 12/04/2022

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final draft- Sports reporting final project

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Ozuna's unreal turnaround in May- Braves Today

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Ozuna's unreal turnaround in May- Braves Today

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5/25/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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It all started with a liner on the second of May that dropped in front of Jazz Chisholm Jr. a hair to the right of the second base bag.

Believe it or not, that was Marcell Ozuna's first hit not to his pull side all season. It's not so hard to believe considering he only had five hits on the year up to that point - two of them homers out to left field.

In April, Ozuna hit .091, struck out 18 times, grounded into three double plays, walked eight times and slugged .218 in 55 at bats. It was either a rope to left field or a swing for the left field fence and a massive whiff. Pitchers knew that, and he was getting pounded low and away.

Ozuna has seen 140 pitches low and outside the zone this season, per StatCast. 42 pitches have come to him in the lower-outside third of the plate, the most of any portion of the zone except the very middle portion. He has barreled up 0% of pitches in either of those areas.

However, four days after his knock to center field and three days after his multi-homer game - both versus the Marlins - Ozuna launched his first true opposite-field hit into the seats in right field versus the Orioles.

The use of the opposite field has continued as the two-time Silver Slugger's bat has come to life. After his 452-foot blast on Wednesday night versus the Dodgers, Ozuna has 21 hits in May - a third of them to right field.

Four of them have come in the past two series versus the Mariners and Dodgers, with Ozuna mashing an RBI double down the right field line in game two versus the Dodgers. If it wasn't Mookie Betts with a hose of an arm in right, who knows, maybe the "Big Bear" scampers down to third for his first triple of 2023.

But what we do know for sure is Ozuna's approach is paying off. He entered Wednesday night's contest batting .328 in the month of May with a .406/.656/1/062 slash line. His slugging percentage is more than .400 higher than in April.

After Wednesday's 1-for-3 night, he's mashed seven long balls in May with 18 RBI and 40 total bases in 61 at bats. His walk-to-strikeout ratio hasn't changed much at eight walks to 16 Ks, but he's scored 11 runs and, not to mention, even drew an intentional walk to set up Michael Harris' walk-off hit on May 7.

His opposite-field hit percentage is up to 24.1%, up near his 2020 total of 24.3%, and his chase rate has fallen down to 26.5%. This has led to a hard hit percentage that's in the 77th percentile in the MLB and an exit velocity that is at the 64th percentile in the league.

Ron Washington called Ozuna one of the hardest workers on the field, and it is looking like his persistence through the onslaught of "boos" he got in April is paying off.

The Braves' patience with the slugger is starting to pay off for them as well. It was an ugly April, but there is hope that Atlanta can get production from Ozuna in the final two years of his 4-year, $65 million contract.
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Change in approach has Marcell Ozuna returning to form

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It all started with a liner on the second of May that dropped in front of Jazz Chisholm Jr. a hair to the right of the second base bag. Believe it or not, that was Marcell Ozuna's first hit not to his pull side all season.

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12/06/23

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The Tigers have are losing 87 games of experience up front on defense with junior defensive end Colby Wooden declaring for the NFL Draft and senior edge Derick Hall graduating.

Wooden went to social media on Tuesday morning to announce that his Auburn career is finished after 91 solo tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles in 40 games played over four seasons. He shined late in his career, as he was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week after his game-changing strip sack in the fourth quarter in the win over Texas A&M.

Junior defensive end Colby Wooden is declaring for the NFL Draft after 91 solo tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles in 40 games played. https://t.co/evH9fmNkgk
- Noah Griffith (@NoahGG01) December 6, 2022

The Lawrenceville, Georgia native racked up six sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss in the 2022 season. He kept the pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season with 10 QB hits and three forced fumbles, including two fumble recoveries.

After making his debut as a freshman against Kent State, Wooden became a staple for the Auburn defensive line, playing three games that season as a freshman. He then earned a starting spot in 2020 and only improved from there.

Wooden, 2022 Preseason All-SEC Second Team defensive end, ended his career with three SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week awards.

But on the other end of the defensive line, Auburn is losing a senior team captain with 47 games under his belt in senior Derick Hall.

When he broke into the backfield for the Tigers' first sacks of both 2021 and 2022, it was only a foreshadowing of things to come. The 2022 Preseason All-SEC Third Team pick erupted for 16 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss in his last two seasons.

He was a consistent presence on the field for Auburn as well as other team's backfields in his four years at Auburn. He played in 11 games in both 2019 and 2020 before playing in all 13 in 2021 and all 12 in 2022.

The Gulfport, Mississippi native also had a knack for creating turnovers. While Auburn did not get a takeaway in the first three games of 2022, he snagged an early-game interception versus Missouri to set things in Auburn's favor in its first SEC game in 2022. While that was his only interception of his career, he also forced five fumbles and recovered one against Arkansas this season.

The duo of Wooden and Hall closed out their respective Auburn careers wit˙ two tackles a piece versus Alabama. Hall also registered a tackle for loss for a three-yard loss.

Behind Wooden on the roster at defensive end is Marcus Harris, who is a senior, and redshirt freshman Tobechi Okoli. Behind Hall at edge is senior Eku Leota, who is also going to the NFL, and redshirt freshman Dylan Brooks. While Okoli did not see the playing time, Brooks played in nine games this season, garnering six tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

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Auburn left with big shoes to fill as Wooden declares for NFL - The Auburn Plainsman

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Junior defensive end Colby Wooden announced he is declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft on Tuesday, leaving Auburn the task of replacing key play makers up front.

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12/02/2022

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On December's first Saturday afternoon, Auburn women's basketball proved that weekends on the Plains aren't going to lose much excitement after the end of football season last Saturday.

On the first Saturday of the fall semester without football, Auburn women's basketball followed men's basketball's big Friday night win with a 86-46 domination of previously undefeated UCF. In all phases, this was a complete, team manhandling of the Knights in Auburn's most lopsided win so far this season (previous was a 39-point, 88-49 win over Alabama State).

"I thought we came out and imposed our will. We played our style of basketball," said head coach Johnnie Harris. "They were challenged, you know, from the last game, I didn't feel like they played hard enough, so we challlenged them to play our style of basketball, and I thought we came out and did that tonight."

From winning the turnover battle, dominating the paint with nine blocks and winning the rebound battle 51-33 to putting on its second-best shooting performance of the year at 48% from the field (Auburn shot 50.7% versus Alabama State), everything was working for Auburn. But it seemed like nothing was falling for the Knights, who shot 22% from the field, including 0-for-8 on 3-pointers.

"That was another challenge for them because we hadn't been rebounding well, and (Little Rock) out rebounded us, so I challenged them," Harris said. "We sent three people to the board, and we had one going to the free-throw line to get anything loose."

Honesty Scott-Grayson led the team in points with 22 on 3-for-3 from beyond the arch, but this was another tale of dominance from Aicha Coulibaly in her second double-double of the regular season and her first since the season-opener. She tallied 17 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

One sequence in particular though, Coulibaly ran the floor. She recorded a steal, a no-look, across-the-floor assist, a defensive rebound, a clean, mid-range block, and a pass break-up. But Scott-Grayson didn't even realize she was perfect from beyond the arch, and Coulibaly was oblivious to that sequence where she was a one-player wrecking ball. However, Harris noticed.

"She was locked in. (Coulibaly) went in a zone.," Harris said. "It's AC being AC. She can do that whenever. She's so talented and hard to deal with, and we just try to create mismatches for her."

Scott-Grayson and Coulibaly cooked, but that's nothing new for the duo of upperclassmen top scorers from last season. But they weren't the only double-figure scorers. Off the bench, sophomore guard Mar'Shaun Bostic went on a breakout streak capped off by a steal and lay-in to give Auburn its biggest lead of the game in the fourth quarter, a 33-point advantage.

Defensively, the team capitalized off of 18 UCF turnovers and held the Knights to 22.4% shooting from the field.

In her first start of the season, senior guard Sania Wells only managed one point, but she added three blocks , two steals and three assists while playing staunch defense on the perimeter, ensuring UCF went 0-for-8 on 3-pointers and had no assists as a team.

After an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double against Little Rock last time out, Romi Levy also earned her second consecutive start, but she wasn't the star of the show in this one. It wasn't't until the fourth quarter that she nailed one from beyond the arch to boost her to five points. In 15 minutes on the court, she added four rebounds but coughed the ball up three times and committed four personal fouls.

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On the other side of the ball, Auburn turned in its second-best shooting performance of the season, shooting 47.8% from the field. While both teams shot over 70% from the free-throw line, the Tigers also dominated the Knights in 3-point shooting. Auburn converted 6-of-13 3s while UCF made none.

But there was no area where UCF out dueled the Tigers. Auburn racked up 42 points in the paint as well compared to 24 from the Knights.

After improving to 6-2 after dethroning unbeaten UCF, Auburn will have eight days off before moving its focus to its next matchup with 5-4 ULM. Auburn will go into finals week with three straight wins and a well-earned physical break.

"We have finals, so we'll have a couple days off to study and get healthy, get some treatment in. Then, we'll come back and have a couple days of practice, then another day off," Harris said. "They'll have about three days to prepare for ULM."

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Coulibaly, Scott-Grayson cook in Auburn's biggest win this season over UCF - The Auburn Plainsman

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On December's first Saturday afternoon, Auburn women's basketball proved that weekends on the Plains aren't going to lose much excitement after the end of football season last Saturday. On the first Saturday of the fall semester without football, Auburn women's basketball followed men's basketball's big Friday night win with a 86-46 domination of previously undefeated UCF.

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1/15/23

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Jaylin Williams tied his season-high in 3-pointers in a game in the first five and a half minutes against Mississippi State - three makes in a row.

In a rare night where Auburn was dominated in the paint, the Tigers relied on the long ball to sink the Bulldogs 69-63 and secure its 28th consecutive home win. The Bulldogs outscored Auburn 40-24 in the paint, outrebounded Auburn 38-32 and won the turnover battle 20-16, but Auburn's 11-for-25 from beyond the arc opposed to Mississippi State's 0-for-18 negated any area where it might have lacked.

Auburn kept its foot on the pedal from there, and Williams racked up a season-high 21 points on five 3s - just three shy of his career-high 24 against Ole Miss two seasons ago. Williams ignited the 3-point fire, and he nailed the 11th and final deep ball to give Auburn its season-high in 3s in a game this season (previous was 10 versus Colgate).

"Mississippi State is so big, so long, so athletic. The closer you get to the basket against them, the better chance you get blocked," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "So, we had talked a lot about just trying to get some open shots and taking those open shots... It was really good."

Auburn's 44% shooting from the field was enough to hold a seven-point advantage with 1:16 on the clock, but Williams had fouled out with 2:30 to go so clutch free-throw shooting from Wendell Green Jr. secured the win for Auburn. The Bulldogs only led for 56 seconds in the game, but they were able to keep it within single digits throughout by getting easy looks inside, winning the second half 41-39.

In a match between two of the SEC's most aggressive defenses, Auburn converted 10 steals to 14 points - including an emphatic Allen Flanigan dunk to put him in double-figure scoring for the fourth straight game. Flanigan shot 4-for-8 from the field while splashing two 3s, hauling in a team-best seven rebounds and three assists to help his team to a third consecutive win.

"It means a lot (to have Flanigan as a go-to scorer) because Al is a great scorer and he's a great defender, and like very underrated when it comes to rebounding," Williams said. "Very explosive, one of the best athletes on the team."

Green Jr. led the way with four steals, leading to easy opportunities for Auburn in transition. Along with his strong shooting, he displayed his top-notch floor vision with three assists in his team-leading 32 minutes on the floor.

"He's got a swagger and confidence," Pearl said. "He's able to make plays because he's not afraid of the moment. He's very experienced, and he's a really smart player."

While Auburn shot the ball with great efficiency from outside, avoiding Mississippi State's sure interior - which proved to live up to the hype with four blocks - it also looked made some lazy passes resulting in 20 turnovers, seven of those coming from Flanigan.

The Bulldogs benefitted from an off night from Johni Broome, who Pearl called Auburn's "most consistent player." Broome only managed six points and four rebounds while turning the ball over four times. Without Broome running the paint, Auburn - second in the nation in blocks - only denied one Mississippi State drive. That block was by Flanigan, but the singular effort wasn't enough to keep Tolu Smith from 20 points and Dashawn Davis from getting to the line 13 times in his 13-point performance.

Chris Moore, who suffered a separated shoulder in Auburn's last game, had an MRI procedure the following day but has yet to return to practice and spent his time on the Auburn bench with his arm in a sling.

While Auburn struggled in some areas, it found a way to win in a different way than it has all season, this time for its third straight SEC win.

Tied for second in the SEC, the Tigers will head into Baton Rouge on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. CST matchup with LSU (12-5, 1-4), a team looking to rebound from a 40-point loss at the hands of No. 4 Alabama.

"It's early, though," Green Jr. said. "You know, we still got to play some of the top teams. But, you know, we just take it one game at a time. We gotta go on the road two games in a row, but we feel better about how we're playing."

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Williams' season-high scoring elevates Auburn over Mississippi State - The Auburn Plainsman

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Jaylin Williams scored his season-high in points, and Auburn made a season-high number of threes in its 28th straight home win.

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11/15/2022

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Auburn wears out nets, Broome sweeps Winthrop off floor in dominant win - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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11/07/2022

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Auburn outwills George Mason in season-opening win - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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December 12, 2022

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Whether you order a nice, cold apple cider or a warm, toasty Toomer's Corner latté, anyone who ventures into Ross House Coffee stays for the same reason: it just feels like home. In fact, that's what it originated as.

Before Ross House Coffee existed, it was simply that. Sitting on North Ross Street, it was home to a group of college boys.

Just over five years ago, the house was home to a weekly worship night, had Bible verses written on the walls and each Sunday morning the boys got up and went to Cornerstone Church.

In 2017, the owner was contemplating tearing down the vacant house or using it for commercial property. That is until New Orleans native Toni Holt had a vision.

She saw the vacant property and immediately picked up the phone to ask the owner if she could use it to open a coffee house.

"You know what, that's a great idea," the former owner said.

But the move to Auburn wasn't easy for Holt. The idea of a college town had to grow on her. But now, she smiles every time she walks past the house's pet: a black, loving cat named Ross, and into work.

"At first, I didn't want to come here. I was mad that we were leaving because I wanted to make sure all my family lived in New Orleans," Holt said. "But once I got here after about a year, I absolutely loved it. I will not move or live anywhere else now because it's such a great, family-oriented town and a great Christian town."

Five years later, the building has held tightly onto its Christian roots. The Bible verses still remain underneath the walls, but new ones lie on top of it as well. Not just that, but Ross House now has a prayer box that usually gets filled up to the brim before Auburn Community Church can come pick it up each week or so, according to Holt.

Christian music ringing throughout the shop, kind and hard-working employees, delicious coffee with unique flavors, fresh pastries and a home-style environment completed with fireplaces and art from local creators is what the customers say sets Ross House apart from other coffee houses in Auburn.

"Our mission is to provide for the community a peaceful, comfortable place where people can come and read their Bible, have a Bible study, a business meeting or meet with family and friends," Holt said. "Just a peaceful place for people to go."

In addition to the coffee and atmosphere, customers see Ross House as a great spot to sit and do homework or reading. It's quiet, comfortable and there's a plethora of rooms and tables to set up for a morning, afternoon or night. After all, Ross House is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST every day except for Sunday, when it closes in observance of the Sabbath Day.

"It's a very homey vibe," said Auburn University junior in microbiology premed Taylor Hughes. "It's not like your other libraries - like, it's cold and stark in the library and the lights are very fluorescent, and I like how here it's dim, warm lighting, which makes it feel a lot more intimate, and it's easier to connect and get work done."

Ross House holds strong to its Christian views and values, but Holt makes sure that the shop is welcoming to all people. She described their values as love, empathy and most of all, kindness.

While Christian values are something she takes into consideration when hiring employees, she hopes to serve and make all customers feel welcome. According to Anna Brooch, junior in international studies at Auburn University, Ross House is fulfilling that mission.

"I'm not really that religious, but it's not something that deterred me because it didn't feel like - you know, how faith-related things can feel pushy in a sense - it didn't feel like that," Brooch said. "It just felt very welcoming, and I don't feel like they're throwing it in my face. I still enjoy it here, so I think anyone else can enjoy it, too."

Outside of comfortable, cushioned furniture and treating customers with kindness, Holt has worked to make Ross House available to all by adapting the old House to be more accessible to those with mobility issues.

The house was built over 20 years ago with a steep, white staircase leading up to both the front and back entrances. They not only added a ramp but the bathrooms were rebuilt to be more handicap friendly and spacious. Ross House also added an online ordering system and a pickup station to accommodate college students' busy schedules.

According to employees Natalia Kern and Susan Preston, Ross House is just as welcoming of an environment to its employees as it is to customers. While employees do work long hours, as Ross House is opened later than any other coffee shop in Auburn, they enjoy being in the positive, uplifting environment that they call work.

At 60 years old, Preston joined the Ross House team after her daughter had to quit because of school. But her daughter liked working at Ross House so much that she urged her mom to leave her job working at a coffee cart and apply to work there, that way Holt wouldn't be short on employees.

"I like working here because it's fast-paced and it keeps me busy," Preston said. "And I just like the atmosphere. I like the people I work with. I really think very highly of Toni. I think she's a wonderful person."

Respect for Holt is common among Ross House employees. In fact, for some, that respect is built before they even get hired, as is the case for Kern.

At 18 years old, Kern met Holt at a "Youth for Christ" event - an annual event for kids in foster care. After sharing her story of the abuse and neglect that she experienced from her parents, Holt reached out to Kern's roommate and set up a visit to their apartment. After the two met, a job interview became the next meeting for the two.

Now, at 21, Kern is still working at Ross House. Like Preston, she voiced her admiration for her coworkers, a welcoming workplace and Holt, who she says plays the biggest role in setting an example of kindness for the Auburn community. Kern has been employed at several different organizations, but none are as special to her as Ross House.

"(Working here) is the best thing ever," Kern said. "It's the best kind of job experience you can have. It's structured better, it's run better, it's organized better and everybody's kind of calm during stressful times because people don't jump on each other, like out of frustration. That's what really makes a difference. There's a lot of love."

At the end of the day, Holt says that Ross House's unique qualities help the business. There are some people who back away from Ross House because of its blatant Christian beliefs, but Holt isn't bothered by the opposers.

When Ross House expanded to a second location in Auburn on 320 West Magnolia apartments, Holt didn't know how their Christian music and decoration would be received, but they stayed true to who they were.

Now, Ross House is no longer a living space, but it's one of Auburn's most beloved coffee houses. On that hill next to 160 Ross dorms and inside 320 West Magnolia apartments, students have made it their second home, and Ross the cat made it his first.

Whether you walk up the stairs or the ramp and sit down by the fireplace in Ross House Coffee, it will be hard not to come back.

"So, my sophomore year, my sister invited me to go (to Ross House) to study, and it just kind of stuck," Hughes said. "I think all of our friends already come here. I mean, there's a cat. It's great. It can't get much better than this, you know."

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A house, a home and a coffee shop, too - The Auburn Plainsman

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Whether you order a nice, cold apple cider or a warm, toasty Toomer's Corner latté, anyone who ventures into Ross House Coffee stays for the same reason: it just feels like home. In fact, that's what it originated as. Before Ross House Coffee existed, it was simply that.

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11/26/22

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Robby Ashford ran until he couldn't anymore, and team captain Owen Pappoe ended his season by snatching a Bryce Young pass out of the air for his first interception this season, but it wasn't enough to prolong Auburn's season in Auburn's third straight Iron Bowl loss.

Young was just too much. The Tigers didn't sack him all game long, and he made them pay. After starting 1-for-4, he ended his night 20-for-30 with four total touchdown to put Auburn's hopes of an upset to an abrupt end in No. 7 Alabama's 49-27 win. This ends Auburn's 2022 season at 5-7 (2-6), sixth in the SEC West, without a bowl appearance for the first time since 2012's 3-9 season.

If this is interim head coach Carnell "Cadillac" Williams' last game as head coach, he went out fighting. He led a 3-5 Auburn team to two SEC wins, a hard-fought overtime rally that fell just short to Mississippi State, but more importantly, he saw self-growth and a turnaround in spirit from early in the season.

"You can be different and do this and be successful," Williams said. "You make it about the kids and truly changing lives. "This process made me a better person. Better husband, father, friend. It's just powerful what you can do whenever you get people serving, believing."

Matching up a redshirt freshman QB with a junior Heisman winner and former national runner-up Alabama, no one gave redshirt freshman Ashford and Auburn a shot. From the beginning, when Ashford bumbled into the end zone for a 7-0 lead, to the end of the 22-point loss, he gave Auburn all he had.

With 198 all-purpose yards, two rushing TDs and a 20-yard dime in the back corner of the end zone to Ja'Varrius Johnson, he gave the Crimson Tide defense a fit all night long.

Ashford's eight runs of over 10 yards gave him 121 yards on the ground in the contest. Jarquez Hunter added 134 more along with Tank Bigsby's 63 while the trio averaged 7.4 yards per carry. The Auburn ground game proved it can bash any defense against Alabama, but Auburn lost its 10th turnover battle of the season, 2-1.

After Keionte Scott's muffed punt in the second quarter, Young hit Traeshon Holden, his eighth receiver of the day, for a 27-yard score right past the turned backs of three Auburn defenders.

Alabama went to halftime with a 35-14 advantage after ending the half on a 14-0 scoring run. It opened up the second half with another 9-play, 72-yard drive that running back Jase McClellan capped off by lunging his way into the end zone for his second TD of the day.

But Ashford didn't let a 28-point deficit stop him from bouncing off three tacklers for a 14-yard score, his third of the game. With that stretch across the goal line, he became Auburn's fist rusher with multiple TDs on the ground in the Iron Bowl since Williams did it as a running back in 2003.

"That guy's a fighter," Williams said. "He's going to compete and give you everything he has. He's incredible. One of the best athletes I've ever been around. Ever."

Shortly after, Pappoe jumped in front of Young's second down pass to put a bow on the team captains' junior season. This set up Alex McPherson to knock two final field goals through the uprights and give Auburn 13 unanswered with just over two minutes remaining. But Alabama head coach Nick Saban wasn't going out that way.

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On the night, Pappoe tallied 10 tackled, senior edge Derick Hall had two sol tackles, a tackle for loss and a QB hit, senior defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett tallied four tackles and a share of a tackle for loss, and senior receiver Shedrick Jackson caught two passes for 26 yards. This puts the seniors' and junior team captain Pappoe's 2022 campaign to an end, and the players are happy with how they fought to the end.

"Not the result we wanted, but I can live with that," Jackson said. "All my teammates out here fighting as brothers. I love all of them. I'll remember this for a long time."

Junior running back Jamyr Gibbs then led the Tide to a quick score on two runs: a four-yarder and then a 23-yarder to cap off his 76-yard game on 17 carries.

Though Ashford and the Tigers fell short of an Iron Bowl win and a bowl game appearance, 24 seniors led this team out with class, Ashford and the young backs gave a sneak peak of what's to come and Williams fought for four weeks through a clock that was ticking on Auburn's ongoing coaching search.

"Auburn is in a better place because of these seniors and the Auburn family," Williams said. "The future is bright, very bright."

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Ashford foreshadows future, Pappoe closes Tigers' season bittersweetly in Iron Bowl loss - The Auburn Plainsman

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Robby Ashford ran until he couldn't anymore, and team captain Owen Pappoe ended his season by snatching a Bryce Young pass out of the air for his first interception this season, but it wasn't enough to prolong Auburn's season in Auburn's third straight Iron Bowl loss. Young was just too much.

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Column on why Auburn could beat Alabama (they didn't, oops)

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Column on why Auburn could beat Alabama (they didn't, oops)

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11/24/2022

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Auburn has unfinished business. It galloped and crane-kicked all the way to the halftime tunnel with a 7-0 lead in last year's Iron Bowl, but Bryce Young and eventual national runner-up Alabama crushed the Tigers' hearts with a four-overtime win.

Auburn has bowl eligibility to earn, an Iron Bowl that looks as winnable as ever and its first three-game win streak of 2022 on the line when it trots into Tuscaloosa next week. As interim head coach Carnell Williams says, "We got action!"

Auburn has fire again, and Williams was the spark, but I'm not gullible enough to think a team can pull off a historic upset strictly off of team morale. Bryan Harsin consistently preached the importance of execution, but Auburn continued to underperform under his leadership. Following the coaching change, the Tigers are firing on all cylinders like never before. Auburn is playing to its strengths, and it is playing for one another.

"We know we're playing with house money, being able to play loose, free," said junior defensive lineman Colby Wooden. "We're just anxious to get on the field and show what we can do."

When has Auburn ever let being lopsided underdogs faze it? Do I need to remind you of 2019? It wasn't that long ago. Auburn entered as the No. 15 team, and Shaun Shivers bulldozed his way into the end zone, stealing a win from playoff hopeful, No. 5 Alabama. How about 2017? Auburn was No. 6 but was still seen as a long shot to beat the undefeated, No. 1 Tide: Auburn won 26-14.

Still no? How about 2013, when Chris Davis zig-zagged 100 yards into the end zone to turn Jordan-Hare Stadium into a madhouse as No. 4 Auburn ended another top-ranked Alabama team's perfect season?

You got me, all of those miraculous wins were in Jordan-Hare, and Auburn was in the top 15 all three times. Auburn hasn't gone into Bryant-Denny Stadium and left with a win since 2010, when Cam Newton led Auburn to a 17-point comeback en route to a National Championship. But then again, that's also the last time Alabama had a three-loss season. History tends to repeat itself.

Let me argue that this year is different. Not because Auburn is more talented or more prepared than previous years, but because the Tigers have a golden opportunity to close out something they didn't have the composure to finish last year. For the first time in a while, they are truly excited. They're hungry for an upset.

The players think this year is different, too. When asked how making a bowl game this year would compare to last season, Wooden pointed out that the 6-6 record and a bid in the Birmingham Bowl last year was a disappointment after losing the final "five, six, seven?" games of 2021. It was five, but whether it was five or seven, it was a letdown for the Tigers. This year, they feel like they've had to really earn it after a 3-5 start, making it that much more meaningful.

"To get to a bowl game, I feel like it would just show that anything is possible. Looking at where we were middle of the season, nobody thought we could even climb back to even make it to .500," Wooden said. "I'd say (making a bowl game this year would feel different) because we had to scrape and grind for this one more. Last year, you know, we went on a losing streak last five five, six, seven games, but this year, we had to fight for this one more."

Team accountability has appeared out of the mist under Williams. All units are rallying together and deciding to fight, as co-offensive coordinator Will Friend said. The fan base believes, and Cadillac is "fired up," as always.

Auburn has scored 57 points in the second half in the past three weeks - more than it had in the six weeks before that (47). It took Williams no time to figure out the solution to Auburn's second-half woes, and he made that clear after the win versus Western Kentucky, where Auburn was tied 17-17 at half.

"Man, those guys went in there, and I honestly left the room and let them handle it," Williams said. "I heard them talking about self-inflicted wounds, not doing what they were coached to do, not playing team ball, that was it, that was it."

That's it, indeed. Auburn isn't overcomplicating things. The coaching staff is simply giving their playmakers the ball and getting out of the way. That's all it needed to do all along.

Like I said, it's not just passion and energy, it's those things plus Auburn rushing for 259.3 yards per game in its last three contests on 47.6 carries a game.

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Auburn tried to implement a more balanced offense in the first half versus WKU, with 16 passes and 18 runs, but once it went to a 19-to-4 run-pass ratio in the second half, it racked up 181 rushing yards, 110 more than in the first half. Overall, the offense produced 210 second-half yards, 46 more than the first half. They are playing to their strength for the first time since 2019.

If the ball is in the hands of Tank Bigsby, Jarquez Hunter or even Damari Alston as they rumble up-field, Williams knows the ball is in good hands. Add Robby Ashford's improved ball security into the picture, and Auburn is as dangerous of a team as there is in the nation.

Yes, Auburn ranks just 46th in the nation with 4.6 yards per carry, but it is tied with Hawaii at 19th in the country in yards a carry in its last three games, at 5.4. That is second to only Florida (5.7 YPC) in the SEC, and 2.5 yards more than Alabama (2.9 YPC) over the last three games prior to last week.

There are 24 seniors on this team, and if the 24-0 second-half of Senior Day was any indication, the Tigers have a mission to fulfill in Tuscaloosa. They aren't planning to finish their season on Saturday.

"Look, we're gonna play Auburn football whether that's (against) the Dallas Cowboys or the University of Alabama and the great Nick Saban," Williams said. "These kids not gonna blink. We're gonna celebrate (beating Western Kentucky) tonight. We're gonna flush it tomorrow and we're gonna prepare for the Iron Bowl. We are excited for this opportunity. We want to send these seniors off, man. They deserve our best."

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COLUMN | Auburn has what it takes to knock off the Tide - The Auburn Plainsman

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Auburn has unfinished business. It galloped and crane-kicked all the way to the halftime tunnel with a 7-0 lead in last year's Iron Bowl, but Bryce Young and eventual national runner-up Alabama crushed the Tigers' hearts with a four-overtime win.

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Feature story on Auburn QB Robby Ashford

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Feature story on Auburn QB Robby Ashford

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11/23/2022

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Worth the wait: Ashford’s return to home state has been a gift for Auburn - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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11/19/22

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11/12/2022

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It was obvious all week that a breakthrough was brewing for Auburn. From a near comeback over Mississippi State, the opening of a new football facility to a weekend of overcast, moody weather. It was only a matter of time.

The rain never came, but instead, the outpour on Saturday night in front of a sold-out Jordan Hare Stadium was a 13-10 victory over free-falling Texas A&M, ending its five-game losing skid. Auburn now maintains hopes of reaching a bowl game with two games to go, at 4-6. Meanwhile, the Aggies were eliminated from postseason contention with their sixth consecutive loss and now lie lonesomely at the bottom of the SEC West.

Just like last week, Auburn's attitude, effort and efficiency improved, but this time, Auburn and head coach Carnell Williams got a win to show for it.

"When coach Carnell got the job, the building changed, and the energy has started to feel more like Auburn," said junior Tank Bigsby. "I was missing that a little bit. I'm really happy to have that feeling back because our performance was better, and Auburn deserves nothing but the best."

On a chilly, windy night that saw temperature drop below 50 degrees, the Tigers came to pound it out on the ground once again. After running the ball 46 times to 22 passes last week, they outdid their last performance by running 55 more times for 270 yards against the Aggies.

Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter each ran for 121 yards with breakaway runs of 39 and 25, respectively. Bigsby was also the only Auburn pass catcher with multiple receptions (two) on the night for 20 yards.

"We knew with coach (Will) Friend calling plays that we were going to run the football," said senior tackle Kilian Zierer. "It had been emphasized for the past two weeks. We knew we were going to have fun with it, and it was awesome."

The scoring though, like the passing game, came at a minimum. There were only two scoring drives in the game: Auburn's second drive of the first quarter and the Aggies' final drive of the game. Auburn struck early with a four-play, 62-yard drive capped off by a 16-yard toss to an uncovered Ja'Varrius Johnson. Texas A&M ended with a 17-yard touchdown lob to Jalen Preston, but after a failed onside kick, it was too little too late.

But with the exception of the TD drive in the first quarter, the punters, Nic Constantinou and Oscar Chapman, were two of the most familiar faces on the field. They were a big reason why points were such a rarity, as both teams played a crafty field position game.

Chapman punted four times for an average of 47 yards, including a 55 and 58-yarder in the third quarter. Opposingly, Constantinou punted eight times for an average of 39.7 yards. Consequently, each team's average starting field position was inside its own 35-yard line (Auburn-own 35, Texas A&M-own 25) despite Auburn starting in Aggie territory twice.

Defensively, Auburn's task got a little easier pregame when it got the news that star Aggie running back Devon Achane was out for the game. With the blow to the Aggies' production, they only rushed for 94 yards as a team and asked their freshman quarterback to throw the ball 36 times.

In his second career start, QB Connor Weigman went 14-for-36 for 121 yards and a TD on a night where the weather made the air raid a tough strategy.

Although Auburn was stifling on defense, allowing just 215 yards and 85 in the second half, it lost the turnover battle for the first time in three games, 3-1. However, Colby Wooden and Marcus Harris teamed up in the fourth quarter for a strip sack in Aggie territory, leading to Alex McPherson's second converted field goal of the night after he missed his first: a 54-yarder.

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After Auburn and Mississippi State combined for 21 tackles for loss last week, the backfield was disrupted less often against Texas A&M. The Aggies registered seven tackles for loss, while Auburn added six, with only three sacks by Auburn to two from the Aggies.

Against the SEC's top passing defense, Ashford boosted Auburn with 40 rushing yards. But, facing 25 MPH wind gusts, he overthrew a wide open Hunter and missed the opportunity for a TD in addition to giving the Aggies two additional possessions on interceptions. He only threw the ball 13 times, but each time he aired it out loomed large. Four of his passes, in particular, gave Auburn a TD or put the ball back in the Aggies' hands.

"When you got wind blowing like that, it's kind of difficult to throw because sometimes you have to put more on it just to try and get it to a shorter path," Ashford said. "Just simple things. But for me, I just tried to do whatever I could to help the team win."

No matter how they did it, the Tigers did get a win. They improve to 4-6 (2-5 SEC) with senior night versus Western Kentucky and the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa the only things standing in between Auburn and a bowl game. More importantly, "Auburn is going to be okay," according to Williams after getting his first win as a head coach at home on the Plains.

"When they say, 'We can't do this. We don't have the big-time guys.' We can make that up with our effort, our attitude, our mindset, our effort," Williams said. "One thing I do know about that team is that we can pull in the same direction. We can believe in each other, continue to fight, continue to serve, continue to be desperate, continue to believe. The sky is the limit."

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Auburn releases pent-up energy on deteriorating Aggies - The Auburn Plainsman

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It was obvious all week that a breakthrough was brewing for Auburn. From a near comeback over Mississippi State, the opening of a new football facility to a weekend of overcast, moody weather. It was only a matter of time.

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Served on editorial board and helped with editorials, this one in particular

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Served on editorial board and helped with editorials, this one in particular

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11/09/22

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In July this year, a collective, "On To Victory," was launched to provide Auburn University student-athletes with the opportunity to profit off their name, image and likeness.

On To Victory bought out Auburn's previous leading collective, NIL-Auburn, and the key differences between the two might just change Auburn Athletics for the better.

On To Victory's distinction is that the leadership that created it has declared that 90% of the collective's proceeds will go directly to Auburn student-athletes.

The On To Victory pledge specifically states that "the members of the executive board have pledged to never take a profit from their work with On To Victory."

On To Victory also promises transparency in the collective's finances and activities. It will implement administrative cost controls to ensure maximum benefits for student-athletes.

In order to adhere to National College Athletics Association Name, Image and Likeness rules and guidelines, the collective will conduct its business independent from the University. They will do this by pooling funds from Auburn boosters and businesses along with Auburn fans and local citizens.

What this collective will do is decrease the number of bootleg merchandise sold, as fans will now-for the first time ever-be able to buy specific, individualized jerseys without breaking rules and laws.

It will help level the playing field for all Auburn athletes by providing walk-ons, graduate students, transfers and athletes in less recognized sports the chance to make revenue.

It will give athletes in sports without a professional level the opportunity to profit at the collegiate level.

Not only will these athletes be able to make revenue, but they will also have the chance to be counseled while doing so-an opportunity made possible by On To Victory's advisory committee of former athletes representing all levels of sport.

This will be especially beneficial to female athletes- as they rarely get as much recognition as male athletes- regardless of their sport. The On To Victory collective represents progress for gender equity in sports, and it gives Auburn women in all sports opportunities they have always deserved.

"For Auburn to remain competitive on the fields and courts of play, we need to compete-and win-in the NIL arena. We will continue to adapt and be aggressive as we forge into year two... It is going to take all of us working together to make this a success. After all, that is the Auburn way," said former Auburn University Athletic Director Allen Green in a one-year update video released in late July.

Green was right. In order for Auburn athletics to continue to better serve its athletes, it is crucial that the Auburn family remains involved, informed and excited.

It is crucial that the Auburn family understands the importance of name, image and likeness and a collective that all Auburn athletes can take advantage of.

It is crucial that the Auburn family understands that the On To Victory collective does something that should have been done a long time ago: take name, image and likeness to the next level to acknowledge, celebrate and expand opportunities to the overlooked and underserved athletes.
Editorials represent the majority view of The Plainsman's editorial board and do not necessarily represent that of the entire newsroom.
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Editorial Board | Fall 2022

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EDITORIAL | Auburn Athletics is "On to Victory" - The Auburn Plainsman

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It is crucial that the Auburn family understands that the On To Victory collective does something that should have been done a long time ago: take name, image and likeness to the next level to acknowledge, celebrate and expand opportunities to the overlooked and underserved athletes.

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Coach Williams' head coaching debut falls short

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Coach Williams' head coaching debut falls short

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11/06/2022

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Auburn’s fight for revenge falls just short in Williams’ head coaching debut - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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Column | There is life in Auburn sports again

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Column | There is life in Auburn sports again

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Date: 11/02/2022

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The lights brighten. The Jungle roars - two nights in a row. The whistle blows. Bruce Pearl's commanding yell rings through Neville Arena.

When the tipoff occurs and the basketball hits the hardwood on Wednesday and Thursday nights for Auburn basketball's exhibition games, the Auburn family can take a deep breath. A new era is underway.

With a change at both head football coach and athletic director on Monday along with a thriving men's basketball program and a rising women's team returning to play this week, there has never been a better time for Auburn to start over.

More importantly, the new hirees are set up right to do it this time.Bryan Harsin never had support from the program since day one (and he failed to earn it). An internal investigation within the football program nearly cost him his job in February, and his reputation never recovered. And with that, the guy who hired him, former AD Allen Greene, seemingly lost his approval as well.

But Auburn seems to recognize that, and things feel different this time around.

Despite not having a permanent head coach named, Auburn can finally sit comfortably where it's at. At 3-5, fans now have a reason to reengage with Auburn football, as an Auburn alum and beloved staff member Carnell "Cadillac" Williams was named interim head coach.

It still has games with Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Western Kentucky and Alabama, and what is there for Auburn to lose? There's a lot to gain, though. A bowl appearance seems unattainable, but it is still within reach. Not to mention, an Iron Bowl win is still up for grabs.

That might sound unrealistic, but I guess I'm just a big dreamer.

Auburn came into the Iron Bowl 6-5 last year, and thought it had no shot. It then skipped into the locker room, motioning for fans to make noise, with a 10-0 lead. It feels like all Auburn needs is to figure out how to close games.

Let's look at halftime scores in Auburn's last 13 games, in which it went 3-10: down 17-13 to Arkansas, down 28-17 to Ole Miss, down 14-0 Georgia, up 17-14 versus LSU, tied 14-14 with Missouri, down 14-6 to Penn State, down 10-7 to San Jose State, up 28-7 over Mercer, down 10-3 to Houston, up 10-0 versus Alabama, tied 14-14 with South Carolina, up 28-10 versus Mississippi State and tied 3-3 with Texas A&M.

The biggest of those deficits was a 14-point trailing of No. 1 Georgia in Athens. None of those games were out of control at the break. The fact that Auburn went 3-10 emphasizes the inability for the coaching staff to make halftime adjustments. If you ask me, the ability to win, or at least compete, in games (yes, SEC games) is there.

And now the excitement is there, too. Some players fully supported Harsin, but a large handful of them did not. Williams, if nothing else, is a guy the team will rally behind and play their hearts out for.

A 40-year-old Alabama native, Williams is relatable to the players as a former Tiger himself, and in three years as a running backs coach for Auburn, the running backs have been one of Auburn's biggest strengths. In those two seasons, Auburn's running back room has mustered nine 100-yard games and three SEC weekly honors.

He also had his own success in an Auburn uniform. He was a 2004 All-American at Auburn and led the Tigers to three SEC West Championships and an undefeated season in 2014.

Does playing hard for its coach mean Auburn will win out? Probably not, but I don't expect another 18-point come-from-behind victory to haunt the Tigers again on Saturday.

Not to mention, Auburn hired former Mississippi State Athletic Director John Cohen on Monday. Here's the key: the decision to fire Harsin isn't being attributed to Cohen, and he was hired without being expected to immediately make a major firing. Hiring him with a football coach hanging on by a thread only puts him in a bad position from the start.

The details of Harsin's firing and Cohen's part in it is unknown, but the important part is that decision isn't attributed to him.

Who wants to come to a school and their first action is to fire the football coach? Regardless of how Auburn felt about Harsin, that's a tough way for Cohen to establish his reputation at Auburn.

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Now, Cohen is welcomed in, and while he is tasked with finding the right guy to hire as Auburn's next permanent coach, he has time to make that decision with Williams filling the gap. And who knows? He might make it easy on Cohen and prove to be that Auburn needs to look no further for a coach.

Either way, Cohen has a fair chance to prove himself, Williams has three conference games with a hungry team and Bruce Pearl is still a winner - that's one thing that hasn't changed.

Auburn men's basketball is looking to build off of a historic 2021 year where it saw its first-ever No. 1 ranking. However, the early SEC and NCAA Tournament exits left a sour taste in Pearl's team's mouths.

But as the calendar has flipped over to November, the slate is clear for the Tigers, and with that comes the chance to start over.

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COLUMN | There is life in Auburn sports again - The Auburn Plainsman

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The lights brighten. The Jungle roars - two nights in a row. The whistle blows. Bruce Pearl's commanding yell rings through Neville Arena. When the tipoff occurs and the basketball hits the hardwood on Wednesday and Thursday nights for Auburn basketball's exhibition games, the Auburn family can take a deep breath.

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Page 8 podcast on Harsin firing/ basketball starting

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Page 8 podcast on Harsin firing/ basketball starting

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Date: 10/31/2022

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Listen to this episode from The Auburn Plainsman on Spotify. Members of the Auburn Plainsman look ahead with the recent removal of Bryan Harsin and a preview of men's and women's basketball season.

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Bryan Harsin fired as Auburn's head coach

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Bryan Harsin fired as Auburn's head coach

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Date: 10/31/2022

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Harsin out as head coach, search for replacement effective ‘immediately’ - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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Date: 10/29/2022

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Auburn searching for answers after second-half meltdown versus Arkansas - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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10/13/2022

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When a Bo Nix pass bounced off running back Shaun Shivers in the first quarter versus No. 2 Georgia last year, it fell into the hands of Nakobe Dean, setting up the Bulldogs to tie the game briefly before running away with a 34-10 win in a sloppy performance full of dropped passes and missed conversions for Auburn.

But now Nix is at Oregon and Shivers at Indiana, and Auburn is facing a No. 2 undefeated team once again. However, last season the Tigers were ranked No. 18 and coming off a thrilling win at LSU. This time, the circumstances feel much different.

Auburn is 3-2, and it is trying to rebound from a second-half collapse versus LSU at home last week. One of its wins was a single-digit defeat of Mountain West foe San José State; more recently, Auburn lucked out in a 17-14 overtime win over Missouri.

The Tigers will embark to Athens to end their five-game home stretch to start the season. For a lot of the freshmen and transfers, including Robby Ashford, this is their first road action in college -- and it's at the former champions' home.

"This, for us, is our first road trip, so that'll be an opportunity for us to travel and get these guys on the road," said head coach Bryan Harsin.

A win is a win, but so far this season, Auburn is yet to play a complete, four-quarter game. It has not scored a second-half point since Jarquez Hunter hurdled into the end zone for a touchdown in a blowout loss to Penn State. Even in its biggest margin of victory this year, a 42-16 win over Mercer to begin the season, Mercer outscored Auburn 9-0 in the fourth quarter.

"To me, it really comes down to trying to eliminate those negative plays, and then just being more consistent," Harsin said. "That's play calls. That's execution. That's all those things, and not just one in particular."

Despite facing questions about his job security, Harsin is focused on taking care of business now. With former national champion No. 2 Georgia coming to The Plains for "the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry" that dates back to 1892, Harsin has a prime opportunity to thicken the ice and cool off his hot seat with the Auburn football program on Saturday.

UGA leads the head-to-head series with Auburn 62-56-8, and the Bulldogs are now a marquee program of College Football.

With Auburn losing the last five matchups versus UGA and having not left Athens with a win since 2005, the expectations are not high for the Tigers. This is especially true after Georgia came into Jordan-Hare Stadium and had its way with Auburn last year en route to an SEC Championship appearance and National Championship win over Alabama.

But Georgia's Dean is gone from UGA as well, along with five Bulldogs who were taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Like any premier college football program though, they have reloaded.

While UGA has a lot of new faces, it has quite a few familiar ones, including last year's Auburn offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Bobo was fired after one season at Auburn under Harsin, and he was hired by UGA head coach Kirby Smart as an offensive analyst.

Although UGA is coming off a 26-22 win over Missouri that was much closer than expected, the Bulldogs have also had eye-popping wins over now No. 12 Oregon (49-3) and SEC East rival South Carolina (48-7).

Yes, the previously top-ranked team was expected to run Missouri out of its stadium in Columbia, but Auburn struggled with the 2-3 team too. In fact, UGA did what Auburn couldn't and hasn't done recently -- score a second-half point and finish strong. The Bulldogs went into halftime down 16-6 but kept their composure, outscoring Missouri 20-6 in the second half to complete the comeback.

Auburn will try to change its weak endings to halves and games this week, but it will in no way come easily against a disciplined, talented and well-tested Bulldog squad, who seemingly has lethal duos at every skill position.
Players to watch Auburn Offensive line
The Auburn front line has had some struggles this season. The unit has allowed 13 sacks through five contests, but they have had to deal with injuries to its two top centers, Nick Brahms and Tate Johnson, in an already newly put-together offense with a new offensive scheme under first-year OC Eric Kiseau.

Senior Brandon Council moved into the center spot last week, and the o-line only allowed two sacks as opposed to four against Missouri and six against Penn State.

If they can continue the trend of allowing two fewer sacks each week, they will not allow a sack to UGA. That is a big ask, but not as big as one might think. UGA is 11th in the SEC with six sacks this year, and it did not get any sacks despite steamrolling Oregon in week one.
Koy Moore (WR)
No. 0 entered Auburn with a lot of hype around him, and he is starting to burst onto the scene after a slow start to the season. He led the team with four catches for 74 yards against Missouri, and he made a few more big catches against his former team last week, garnering four more catches for 55 yards.

As long as he isn't asked to throw the ball again, like he was in the red zone last week, expect Moore to continue to help spread the defense out and cover the middle of the field, as well as be a reliable red zone target.

The Oregon transfer has already been a difference maker for Auburn this season with five pass breakups and 13 tackles, but he made his first official start last week versus LSU in place of Jaylin Simpson. James might be ready to have a breakout performance this week, and he will need to step up against an impressive UGA receiver arsenal.
Georgia Ladd McConkey (WR)
The sophomore torched Auburn for 130 yards and a TD on five catches last year. He is continuing his good work this season with 20 receptions for 266 yards and a score. The speedster is a constant deep threat, and his longest catch is for 37 yards this season after he popped a season-long 60-yarder versus Auburn last season, a season-best as a freshman.
Malaki Starks (DB)
The freshman out of Jefferson, Ala. has done nothing but impress this season from the start. In UGA's season opener, he leaped and snatched a pass out of the air from Nix with one hand. He struck again versus South Carolina. That time, he was able to display his running ability with a 42-yard return. He, along with teammate Christopher Smith, are tied for second in the SEC with two interceptions a piece.

Starks has also added three more pass breakups and 23 tackles in his debut college season.

Tight end is another position where UGA has a two-headed monster. The Bulldogs have a speedy playmaker in Brock Bowers, and he is complimented by 6-foot-7, 270-pound Darnell Washington.

"(Bowers) is a fantastic football player," Harsin said. "He shows that, and he plays extremely hard, makes plays for them and they try to utilize him in a lot of ways. We know that he's going to be a challenge. Darnell Washington, another tight end, and a big guy. Both those tight ends and the personal packages, they utilize them well."

Bowers is tied for the most receptions on UGA's roster with McConkey (20) and leads in reception yards with 342, which is also good for fifth in the SEC. He also leads his team with a pair of TD grabs and has UGA's longest catch of the year with a 78-yard catch.

On the other hand, the physically dominant Washington has 10 grabs for 184 yards. He isn't quite as explosive as Bowers, but he is still as bruising of a receiver as there is in the nation with the ball in his hands.
Keys to victory Auburn
It is no secret: turnovers are Auburn's biggest issue. The Tigers are losing the turnover battle this year 11-2. Despite getting turnovers in each of their last two games, Auburn has thrown at least one interception in every game this season. T.J. Finley has thrown four and Ashford has thrown three balls into the hands of the other team.

Despite Ashford's hot start last week, he turned the ball over twice, and that won't go unpunished on the road against the No. 2 team in the country.

Defensively, Auburn took a big hit this week when it announced Eku Leota is having pectoral surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the 2022 season. However, Auburn needs to continue to find ways to bother QB Stetson Bennett's rhythm without blitzing heavily. If Auburn brings the house, Bennett is smart enough to evade rushers and deliver quick, accurate passes.

However, if Auburn gives Bennett all day in the pocket, he has plenty of deep targets that have the potential to leave any secondary in shambles. The Auburn defense has to mix up its packages and remain unpredictable while finding a way to get to Bennett.
Georgia
The six sacks on the season for the Bulldog defense isn't exactly flattering, but they are getting the job done. They are allowing 89.2 rushing yards per game as opposed to rushing for 178.6 yards per game.

They force the opponent to pass and then are able to create takeaways. That has been what Auburn's opponents have had success doing so far. If they continue that trend, things look good for the Bulldogs.

With a senior and returning starter at QB in 5-foot-11, 190-pound Bennett, UGA is sure of what it has behind center. With only one interception this season, Bennett brings a much more consistent presence to an offense with running backs Kendall Milton and Kenny McIntosh in the backfield.

"(Bennett's) a winner," Harsin said. "He makes plays, he's plenty fast enough to run the ball, he's plenty fast enough to scramble around and make plays. He finds the open receivers and he's accurate. He manages their offense really well, and that's one thing that I've got a chance to see him and watch those guys for a couple years and watch him as a player... I don't see a whole lot of weaknesses in his game."

Bennett and the Bulldogs will look to bounce back from a scare from Missouri last week, and Auburn is looking to get back in the win column and pull off a huge upset and dethrone the reigning champs at 2:30 p.m. CST on CBS from Sanford Stadium in Athens.

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Players to watch, keys to victory versus Georgia - The Auburn Plainsman

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When a Bo Nix pass bounced off running back Shaun Shivers in the first quarter versus No. 2 Georgia last year, it fell into the hands of Nakobe Dean, setting up the Bulldogs to tie the game briefly before running away with a 34-10 win in a sloppy performance full of dropped passes and missed conversions for Auburn.

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Auburn football loses heartbreaker to LSU

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Auburn football loses heartbreaker to LSU

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10/01/2022

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When Anders Carlson drilled a 29-yard field goal to put Auburn up by 17 in the second quarter, it looked like Auburn was set up perfectly to beat LSU for the third straight year.

That was a faulty assumption. Auburn didn't score in the second half for the second straight week, and LSU scored three unanswered touchdowns to get the 21-17 victory.

"We put the ball on the ground too many times, and (LSU) won the turnover battle," said head coach Bryan Harsin. "That's going to be a huge factor when it's all said and done. It goes back to just a matter of fact in football... We've got to find ways to finish and play four quarters."

Despite Auburn reaching the LSU 10-yard line in the start of the fourth quarter, wide receiver Koy Moore was asked to throw the ball instead of the hot arm of Robby Ashford.

While Auburn quarterbacks have struggled with interceptions this season, Ashford was living it up on his birthday. He had 219 yards at halftime with two TDs and no interceptions, but the ball went into the LSU transfer's hands and it ended up in the hands of Moore's former teammate, Harold Perkins Jr.

Auburn's defense continued to hang on and keep QB Jayden Daniels on his toes, but LSU won a game of hot potato before it lined up ing victory formation. Punt returner Keionte Scott muffed a punt that bounced directly to LSU, but it ended up working out for Auburn when nose tackle Jayson Jones recovered a fumble two plays later.

But it didn't work out for Auburn. Five plays later, Ashford turned the ball over for the second time of the day with an interception over the middle of the field with 2:18 left in the game. From there, LSU ran the ball three times for a first down before Daniels kneeled three times to run out the remainder of the clock.

"I mean, it hurts, and I know what we have to do. We just have to execute," said senior offensive lineman Brandon Council. "We have to keep the same momentum we have in the first half and carry it over to the second half. We have to get better at that."

Auburn got its second turnover of the year in the fourth quarter, but it still is yet to win the turnover battle. LSU stole the ball from Auburn four times as opposed to Auburn's sole takeaway. The turnovers late in the game overshadowed a big day from Ashford and the Auburn offense.

The offense racked up a season-best 430 yards, and the defense held LSU to 270 total yards, and Ashford recorded the most passing yards by an Auburn QB this season (337).

Ashford also dished the ball out beautifully, and the receivers spread the field well. Auburn had eight passing plays of over 15 yards to seven different receivers. Ja'Varrius Johnson led the way with 3 catches for 74 yards, including a 53-yard TD to cap off Auburn's opening drive.

Moore followed up his team-leading performance last week with four more receptions for 55 yards, and true freshman Camden Brown and Omari Kelley each had big grabs, the former an 18-yarder for a TD and the latter for 25 yards to get Auburn to the LSU 24-yard line in the second quarter. That catch preceded a missed field goal by Carlson from 40 yards out.

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But Ashford's final pass ended in the hands of an LSU defender, and his birthday bash got spoiled when John Emery Jr. took a handoff 20 yards to the house to put LSU ahead in the third quarter.

"We have been able to assert our will in the second half against most teams this year," said LSU head coach Brian Kelly. "The conditioning of our football team has been better than our opponents this year... As the game went on, it was pretty clear that we were able to exert our will and physically control the line of scrimmage."

No one scored in the fourth quarter, hence the trio of turnovers, and Auburn fell to a 3-2 record despite another dominant start. Auburn has now scored six total points over the last three games, and the Tigers are left scrambling to find an answer for their second-half struggles in preparation for the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs next week in Athens.

"We're flipping the page tomorrow," said senior tight end John Samuel Shenker. "We want to be 2-0 in the SEC, and we're not, we are 1-1. But it's still early in the season and we're going to get to work tomorrow, get ready for Georgia, and just be a better team next Saturday."

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Auburn's early fire extinguished by another second-half letdown in loss to LSU - The Auburn Plainsman

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When Anders Carlson drilled a 29-yard field goal to put Auburn up by 17 in the second quarter, it looked like Auburn was set up perfectly to beat LSU for the third straight year. That was a faulty assumption.

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Derick Hall named Defensive Lineman of the Week

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Derick Hall named Defensive Lineman of the Week

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Date: 9/26/2022

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The first tackle for loss, sack and takeaway of Auburn's 2022 season belongs to senior edge linebacker Derick Hall.

He earned another first for this season's team on Monday when he was named Defensive Lineman of the Week, marking the first Auburn player to win a weekly award in the SEC through week four of the season.

After Auburn failed to register a sack on Penn State's Sean Clifford the week before, Hall was a one-man wrecking crew in the 17-14 overtime victory versus Missouri. He invaded the backfield for three tackles for a loss including two sacks on Missouri quarterback Brady Cook.

He recorded six tackles in the game, but his biggest contribution might have been snagging a tipped ball out of the air for Auburn's first takeaway of the year on Missouri's second drive of the game. He then showed off his athleticism, taking the ball 19 more yards to set Auburn up to punch it in the end zone and go up 14-0.

"Rush and coverage playing together (caused the interception)," Hall said. "One thing we say is, 'tipped balls are picked balls.' I was blessed to be able to pick that ball and take it back a little bit."

Hall was a big factor in what was a scoreless second half on Saturday. Cook, along with the Missouri run game, failed to find any rhythm after the game entered halftime at 14-14. If Auburn didn't force five three-and-outs in the second half, Missouri likely wouldn't have needed to kick a field goal to try to win the game.

But Hall stepped up, the defense held strong while the offense sputtered and Auburn pulled out another wild win late in the game on homecoming week.

Hall now ranks No. 12 in program history with 16.5 sacks, and he now has three on the season. He didn't record any sacks in week two or three, but the team captain showed up in a big way on Saturday, and head coach Bryan Harsin had nothing but praise for No. 29.

"Derick's a captain. There's a reason why he is," Harsin said. "You know he's going to step up. He stepped up today."

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Hall tallies another 'first' for Auburn, earns weekly SEC honor - The Auburn Plainsman

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The first tackle for loss, sack and takeaway of Auburn's 2022 season belongs to senior edge linebacker Derick Hall. He earned another first for this season's team on Monday when he was named Defensive Lineman of the Week, marking the first Auburn player to win a weekly award in the SEC through week four of the season.

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Date: 9/17/2022

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The crowd let out their pent-up energy with roars after a pop from the pads of Owen Pappoe on Penn State's senior quarterback Sean Clifford sent the ball rolling onto the ground on the first drive of the game, but the ball rolled out of bounds.

This play symbolized the missed opportunities that haunted Auburn in the highly-anticipated rematch with Penn State.

Just when things looked promising for Auburn, Penn State's defense hushed Auburn's momentum each time in the 38-12 Penn State win. Auburn didn't venture into the end zone until Jarquez Hunter took a Robby Ashford pass 22 yards to the house with 14:27 in the fourth quarter, but Auburn and Finley threatened several times, taking the ball deep into Penn State territory on the first three drives of the game.

Each of those drives ate up over four minutes of clock and put together a combined 147 yards, but Auburn only got six points out of it, while Penn State's running game got them into the end zone five times.

Things were far from out of hand at halftime, with a 14-6 Penn State advantage, but Auburn outgunned the Nittany Lions 233-207, got more first downs (13-9) and won time of possession (15:44-14:16), but had an eight-point deficit to show for it.

Auburn's deficit only grew and it couldn't find any momentum in the second half, as the Nittany Lions outscored the Tigers 27-6. T.J. Finley led a three-and-out before his third turnover of the game, a strip sack thrusted Ashford into the game to finish out the third quarter.

Ashford's opening drive looked like it might be a good change of play and put some air in the Tigers' lungs, but once again, Auburn reached the Penn State eight-yard line and then the momentum fizzled out.

After a run from Tank Bigsby lost Auburn four yards and Ashford was sacked for 11 yards, he looked for Malcolm Johnson Jr. inside the 10 and was picked off. While Penn State's drives all ended in a rushing score, Auburn's ended in, at best, a field goal, and if not that, a turnover.

Auburn committed four turnovers in the game, and the defense has still not forced one all year. Penn State also sacked Auburn QBs six times, while Auburn didn't get to Clifford at all. The sixth-year senior and four-year starter is a veteran, but he was able to get even more comfortable than he already was with a clean pocket all day long.

Even Auburn's strength, the run game, was dominated by Penn State's ground attack, who accounted for all five of the Nittany Lions touchdowns. Freshman Nicholas Singleton's second one sealed the deal in the fourth quarter.

His 54-yard carry made it 38-12 with just over 12 minutes to go. From there, Penn State added another field goal and the outcome was set in stone. Ashford and the Auburn offense continued to fight to the end, but the Tigers day ended in a turnover on downs.

The Tigers once again lose their first game of the season to Penn State, but Auburn didn't fight the same way it did in a 28-20 loss to the Nittany Lions in 2021. This was a story of missed opportunities and lost momentum -- one that Auburn will try to reverse next week against Missouri on homecoming week.

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Enemy territory brings tough luck in loss to Penn State - The Auburn Plainsman

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The crowd let out their pent-up energy with roars after a pop from the pads of Owen Pappoe on Penn State's senior quarterback Sean Clifford sent the ball rolling onto the ground on the first drive of the game, but the ball rolled out of bounds.

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Auburn football versus Mercer, win in season opener

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Auburn football versus Mercer, win in season opener

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Date: 9/03/2022

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Unexpected heroes generate new excitement for Auburn in win over Mercer - The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman, Auburn’s News Source.

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Opinion piece on how Harsin needs to change things up in 2022

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Opinion piece on how Harsin needs to change things up in 2022

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Date: 8/29/2022

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After a 6-7 debut season and a whole lot of offseason speculation, Tiger fans are left wondering what head coach Bryan Harsin needs to do in year two to salvage his career at Auburn.

Taking some risks will be key in turning the momentum on his tenure on the Plains. Going back to what he did last year won't cut it, and that is why I think it is crucial how he and his staff play out the quarterback situation.

On Sunday, it was announced that T.J. Finley, the LSU transfer who started Auburn's final three games last season, will be the starter to begin the new season, but I think it is important to keep the other quarterbacks engaged -- namely redshirt freshman Robby Ashford.

If the goal is to win six games, maybe even seven, then sure, let Finley and his experience stay under center all season. Coaches have praised him all offseason for being in command and getting the offense lined up well. He might be the safest option to start the season off, but I think Harsin needs a boost if he wants to secure his job.

There's a reason there was hesitancy to name a starting QB for Auburn, and I think it boils down to Ashford. The Oregon transfer adds an element to Auburn's offense that the other guys don't: the ability to create plays by taking off and running.

That is something that drives defensive coordinators crazy: covering a play beautifully, just to see the QB escape for a first-down run. That is a play that is tough to game plan for -- just ask Nick Saban about trying to game plan for Johnny Manziel, or coaches in the Atlantic Coastal Conference about trying to contain Lamar Jackson.

I'm not implying that Ashford is going to win the Heisman or rush for 1,000 yards this season, especially since he isn't starting from week one, but he might just be a risk that saves Harsin's job and gives Auburn the ability to play at a higher level.

Ashford is definitely a risk. He hasn't taken a snap in a live college football game. I'm not saying hand the keys to Ashford right away and expect him to take the Tigers to the promised land, but ease him in and get him comfortable. If Auburn doesn't give him a chance early on, it might never be the right time.

Auburn has two non-power five opponents at home in the first two weeks. It doesn't have much to lose. Utilizing both the leadership from Finley and the playmaking of Ashford sets the team up for success and gives Ashford the confidence he needs to take over from there if that is the right decision after seeing him play.

Besides the quarterbacks, improving the red zone and short-yardage situations is key in improving offensive output. Auburn needs to be able to go for key fourth downs with confidence, and that means having a variety of plays ready to be drawn out on command.

There were quite a few of those short-yardage situations last year where Auburn looked unsure -- such as fourth-and-goal from the two yard line in the fourth quarter against Penn State or fourth-and-one at the end of the second quarter against South Carolina. The Tigers ended up losing those tightly contested games as a result.

Yes, Auburn can turn to a veteran, 1,000-yard rusher in Tank Bigsby, but that's the obvious option. Defenses will be keying in on Bigsby until you force them not to.

That is another instance where Ashford's mobility will come in handy and bring the RPO into account. That is the best way to keep the defense guessing on short to-go, late-down sets.

Also, Auburn has a plethora of tight ends at its disposal, including a fifth-year senior in John Samuel Shenker. He holds the program record for most receptions (33) and yards (413) by a tight end in a single season, a record set in the Birmingham Bowl last year.

He has a sure set of hands-- the Tigers need to utilize them more in short-yardage situations as well as in the red zone. Not one of Shenker's 33 catches went for a touchdown in 2021.

In fact, Shenker didn't score a touchdown in 2020 or 2021, and he hasn't grabbed a touchdown since his 2019 campaign, when he only caught three passes under Gus Malzahn's offense. His usage rocketed under Harsin's offense last season, but he didn't get the ball in crucial situations.

One thing is certain, though: the defense will hold it down for the Tigers. Derrick Hall is a one-man wrecking crew off the edge, with nine sacks last year, but defenses can't leave Eku Leota unaccounted for on the other side. 6-foot-6, 328-pound Jayson Jones will anchor down the middle of the defensive line, and the secondary has plenty of young talent.

Where the question mark comes in is on the offense. Can Harsin play his cards right and get the most out of his guys on that side of the ball? He can't without taking some risks, that's for sure.

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The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors.
These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

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COLUMN | How Harsin can right the ship for Auburn this season - The Auburn Plainsman

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After a 6-7 debut season and a whole lot of offseason speculation, Tiger fans are left wondering what head coach Bryan Harsin needs to do in year two to salvage his career at Auburn. Taking some risks will be key in turning the momentum on his tenure on the Plains.

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8/26/22

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Auburn added some depth to its 2023 football class on Friday, landing its eighth commitment and second receiver in the class with Daquayvious Sorey.

After initially being committed to play for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, Sorey selected Auburn over Alabama, Florida and Miami, but not without some trickery. He picked up and tried on Crimson Tide and Florida Gators hats before tossing them to the side and finally putting on an Auburn cap. Unlike the other ones, the Auburn hat was put on to a crowd of cheers behind him.

With receiver being a position in question for the Tigers in recent years, they have now added two receivers of good size to the 2023 class.

Storey, standing at 6-foot-1, joins Central-Phenix City's Karmello English at WR in Auburn's 2023 receiving core. English stands at six-feet-tall and both receivers weigh over 180. Both guys are also 4-star recruits, according to 247 sports.

This is also the second recruit Auburn has snagged from the state of Florida for the 2023 group, along with 4-star edge Willy Denaud.

Reigning from Chipley, Florida, the pass catcher hauled in 30 balls for Chipley last year, good for 546 yards and six touchdowns, but catching passes is only one facet of his skillset that he displayed.

Sorey knows what to do with the ball in his hands. Not only did each of his receptions go for 18.2 yards a piece, he carried the ball 16 times for 187 yards and took two of those to the house. He also racked up almost 200 additional yards last year on special teams and showed his ballhawking ability by grabbing four interceptions.

Not to mention, Sorey is a multi-sport athlete. He also participated in track and field last year. Auburn has added a multi-faceted athlete to next year's class.

With Storey's commitment, Auburn's 2023 class jumped from No. 68 nationally to No. 58, and wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard will have another big-play threat in the WR room next season.

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Auburn football gets deeper at receiver, picks up eighth 2023 commit in Sorey - The Auburn Plainsman

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Auburn lands 4-star wide receiver Daquayvious Sorey.

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20-year old completes miraculous rise to the majors - Braves Today

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20-year old completes miraculous rise to the majors - Braves Today

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5/30/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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Alexa, play "Started From The Bottom."

Play it loud because AJ Smith-Shawver just rose from High-A ball to the Atlanta Braves roster in one season.

Around this time two years ago, that song might've been appropriate for Smith-Shawver because he was graduating high school. Before tonight's matchup versus the A's, it's far more appropriate because the Braves announced they are promoting their 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the major league club after only 110 IP in the minors.

To make room for him on the roster, Atlanta designated left-handed reliever Lucas Luetge for assignment. After acquiring him from the Yankees this offseason, he produced a 10.24 ERA in 9.2 IP for the Braves this season. That leaves AJ Minter and Jared Shuster as the only lefty arms on the Braves.

All of Smith-Shawver's seven appearances this season have been starts, and after the Braves promoted starter Michael Soroka from Gwinnett yesterday, it means the Braves have six starters on their roster if they intend to use Smith-Shawver to start games.

The Braves could either be bringing him up to bolster a struggling bullpen or in the continued search of another reliable starter. Soroka gave up four runs in six innings to the A's last night, and Shuster has allowed 15 ER in 25.1 IP this season with 15 walks and 20 strikeouts. Soroka's outing looked encouraging, and Shuster has done enough to keep himself on the club, but a red-hot Smith-Shawver has made it way too easy of a choice for the Braves to give him a shot.

Even if he starts out in the bullpen, so did Spencer Strider. He was so effective out of the pen that it made the decision to give him starts debatable. Look how that has turned out.

However they use him, he has been lights out in his bolt up the ladder. It only took Alex Anthopolous watching him start two games in Gwinnett to convince him a promotion was in order. In his latest start, Smith-Shawver completed seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three walks and eight Ks.

His fastball-slider combo continued to dazzle, as his heater averaged 95.1 mph while he continued to pound the mitt until the end. His next-to-last fastball registered at 96.1, and hitters still have to account for his hard slider and the possibility of a curveball - which he used sparingly in his start at AAA, just twice.

Gwinnett was just the culmination of a strong season for the 21-year-old, who will wear No. 62 with the Braves. Among three single-A, two double-A and two triple-A starts, he's amassed a 2-1 record, 1.09 ERA, 45 Ks and 0.94 WHIP in 33 IP.

He's made 28 career minor league appearances, and he struck out 164 in 110 innings. His rise is one of the most improbable, but if the Braves have learned anything from the past two years, the decision to promote Smith-Shawver was a no-brainer.

If you thought Soroka Shove Day or even Shuster Shove Day was fun to say, get ready for Smith-Shawver Shove Day. Don't be surprised if tomorrow comprised of two of those shove days. Shuster is listed as the starter for game three in Oakland, but the Braves might be using this series with the MLB's worst team to roll out all the young guns.

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Smith-Schawver completes rapid climb to majors

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Alexa, play "Started From The Bottom." Play it loud because AJ Smith-Shawver just rose from High-A ball to the Atlanta Braves roster in one season. Around this time two years ago, that song might've been appropriate for Smith-Shawver because he was graduating high school.

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Austin Riley records 500 career hits - Braves Today

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Austin Riley records 500 career hits - Braves Today

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5/23/23

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Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More

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Just over a month after hitting his 100 th career homer on April 17, Austin Riley notched another career milestone on Monday night versus the Dodgers.

With his double in the fifth inning, he compiled 500 MLB hits in his 497 th career game. It took him 1,847 at-bats to reach the feat, making him a .270 career hitter at age 26.

It was his 47 th hit this season, as he surpassed Ozzie Albies to become second in hits on the Braves this season behind Ronald Acuña Jr. (64). It was also the 97 th double of his career in his fifth season in the Big Leagues.

After Orlando Arcia surpassed 500 hits in April, Riley became the ninth Brave to reach the milestone. He is the third-youngest player to do so behind Acuña, who reached 500 hits last season at 24, and Albies, who reached it in 2021 at 24. Marcell Ozuna, 32, leads the team with 1,210 hits, the only Brave over 1,000 career knocks.

However, Riley is only the seventh Brave with 500 hits and 100 homers, along with Ozuna, Kevin Pillar, who hit his 100 th career homer on May 6 of this season, Eddie Rosario, Albies, Matt Olson and Acuña.

Despite a relatively slow start to the season, Riley has been a consistent presence in the middle of the lineup. He is 7-for-24 with a homer, a double and just five strikeouts in his last six games. While he is only batting .256 this season, he has consistently churned out hard-fought at bats. He ranks third on the team in at bats (182), walks (24) and second in hits (47).

Just a few years ago, it was a debate whether Riley was the Braves third baseman of the future. Then, in 2021, he helped the team to a World Series. In 2022, he made his first All-Star game. As he continues to rack up career milestones, the debate now is how many are to come.
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Takeaways: The Braves drop game one of their three-game set with the Dodgers
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Report: Dodgers are calling up top pitching prospect Bobby Miller for Tuesday's start in Atlanta
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Austin Riley surmounts another milestone versus Los Angeles Dodgers

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Just over a month after hitting his 100 th career homer on April 17, Austin Riley notched another career milestone on Monday night versus the Dodgers. With his double in the fifth inning, he compiled 500 MLB hits in his 497 th career game.

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4/19/23

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Suns Out, Smiles Out: Miracle League Continues to Grow in Year 14

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA - The sun finally came out, and that meant a lot of joyful children, young adults and families at the ballpark on Saturday. After three rainy Saturdays in a row, Opelika's Miracle League of East Alabama got its 2023 season underway on Saturday, April 15, in what league director Michelle Dean described as the biggest Opening Day turnout that she can remember.

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7/19/2022

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First, it was Auburn basketball, and now it is Auburn baseball proving that a great season yields great success on draft day.

After a season full of unprecendented success and a run to the College World Series in June, eight Auburn players were selected in this year's MLB Draft, with a program-record four of them going in the first five rounds. The turnout resulted in twice as many draftees as last year and the second most in program history in a single draft.

The Auburn baseball program continues to distinguish itself as a top program in the country. Its four players selected in the top five rounds is tied for the second most in the country with CWS foe Arkansas, California, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. Only Auburn's conference rival, Tennessee, had more with five players drafted in those rounds with five.

In addition, this is the seventh year in a row that Auburn has had a player picked in the first five rounds of the draft, topping the previous school record of five straight years.

One player was taken on day one with of the draft on Sunday night, three followed on Monday and four were taken on Tuesday to wrap things up. Here are the details of each pick:
RHP Blake Burkhalter | Round 2 pick 76- Atlanta Braves

As the only Tiger taken on day one of the draft, Burkhalter not only led the way for the team in the draft, but Burkhalter set himself among the Auburn greats when he was taken by the hometown Braves.

On Sunday night, the Dothan, Alabama native became the highest draft pick out of Auburn's bullpen since 1993, when Scott Sullivan was taken 62nd overall. Those two sit behind just one other Auburn great, Gregg Olson, who was selected fourth overall by the Orioles in 1988.

With a 4-2 record, 3.89 ERA, 71 strikeouts and the nation's second-best 16 saves, the junior earned himself Second Team All-SEC and Second Team All-America selections, while being named a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award in his final season on the Plains.

The righty was also instrumental in the Tigers' incredible postseason run. After a shaky ending to the regular season, he notched the regional victory by recording the final six outs against UCLA. He then set down all eight batters he faced against Oregon State to help clinch a trip to the College World Series.

Burkhalter's work wasn't done in Omaha. He put an exclamation point on his career by retiring seven more against Stanford in Auburn's victory in his 51st, and final, collegiate appearance.

He will join his hometown team, and the reigning World Series Champions, the Atlanta Braves. The Braves went pitcher-heavy early on in the draft, as they went with a RHP for their first four draft picks.

The Braves, who have gone all-in on the present by trading many of their top prospects, are looking to revamp their farm system and find their arms of the future. A guy who is flexible out of the bullpen, like Burkhalter, is a good start.
RHP Mason Barnett | Round 3 pick 87- Kansas City Royals
In his third and final season at Auburn, Barnett made some big strides. After making just six starts in 22 appearances in his first two seasons, he blossomed as a starter in his junior year. He started 14 games in 19 appearances and posted a 3-3 record with a 4.38 ERA.

More innings meant a lot more strikeouts for the right-hander. He fanned 83 while giving out 32 free passes in just 63.2 innings.

Out of Cartersville, Georgia, Barnett might have put himself higher up on the draft board with a career performance in the regional final against UCLA. He racked up 10 Ks in 5.1 shutout frames before a rain delay ended his outing.

Barnett join a Royal squad that is focused on the future. After selecting league rival Cayden Wallace from Arkansas in round two, Kansas City took pitchers in the next three rounds.

After going 74-88 in 2021, the team is 36-56 midway through the 2022 campaign. They are in full rebuild mode. Expect Barnett and company to make an impact as soon as the next couple of years.
RHP Trace Bright | Round 5 pick 137- Baltimore Orioles
Reigning from Montgomery, Alabama, Bright was one of Auburn's most reliable starters in 2022. He made a start in every series of the season, the only Auburn pitcher to do so, and pitched the most innings of any Auburn hurler (80.2).

Earning a 5-4 record with a 5.13 ERA, the junior missed bats all season in 2022, leading his club with 94 strikeouts. He is at his best when attacking the zone, and while strikeouts are his strength, walks held him back at times. He walked 38 this season. If Bright can limit the free passes, he has the stuff to compete at a big league level.

Looking like Auburn's ace early in the season, he notched scoreless outings in his first three starts before struggling later on in the regular season. He threw his best baseball in the postseason, though, as he earned Auburn's only CWS win by holding Stanford to two runs in five innings. He also increased his velocity as the season went on, getting his fastball up to 96-97 MPH in his CWS start.

Although being the third Auburn player taken in the draft, he might have the best chance to make an impact at the big league level in the near future. The Baltimore Orioles, while struggling in recent history, have built a strong lineup. They are currently one of the hottest teams in the MLB, and they might be a few top-of-the-line starters away from a playoff berth.
1B Sonny DiChiara | Round 5 pick 148- Los Angeles Angels
From Hoover, Alabama to Los Angeles, California, DiChiara has swung his way to the big city. The SEC Co-Player of the Year and consensus All-American led the league and was second in the NCAA in OBP (.549), and his batting average (.383) and slugging percentage (.777) led the SEC as well.

His power stroke combined with his plate discipline make him a difficult out. His 22 homers as a senior (he hit 63 career homers) were tied for the second most in Auburn history, and his 68 walks were the most in program history in a single season. Between 79 hits and 68 walks, opponents only kept him off base in two of 65 games.

His size and age might have caused him to fall in the draft, but as his numbers show, he is one of the most talented pure hitters in the draft, and he wasn't exactly a defensive liability at Auburn. He doesn't provide much defensive flexibility, as he only plays first base, but DH is another option to have his bat in the lineup.

He also brings a positive, exciting energy to the clubhouse, as he exhibited by becoming a fan favorite in his lone season on the Plains. His enthusiasm and love for the game is something that will make him an asset to a major league clubhouse.

As as far as the Angels, things are pretty unpredictable. They are currently far below .500 and haven't made the playoffs since 2014, but they have plenty of star power to build around. Whether they will keep that star power and build around it or trade it away and brace for the future is unknown. Either way, DiChiara has the potential to work his way up the ladder and compete at a high level sooner rather than later.

Not to mention, the Angels' organization provides DiChiara with an opportunity to go through Alabama. The club's AA affiliate is in Huntsville, Alabama.

DiChiara might have been a fifth round pick, but the Angels might have just gotten a steal with the Alabama product.
LHP Carson Skipper | Round 11 pick 326- Colorado Rockies
The senior southpaw was a big-time leader for Auburn in the run to the CWS. Skipper seemed to always come up big in the right moment, posting a 6-3 record in 27 appearances in 2022.

He made five postseason outings, and did some of his best work in the super regionals against Oregon State. In the game one win, he pitched three shutdown innings while sitting down five on strikes from the sixth to the eighth innings before passing the ball to Burkhalter.

The Trussville, Alabama native posted 70 strikeouts to 14 walks in 2022 and posted a 4.45 ERA. In four years at Auburn, he made 70 appearances- he made nine starts, saved four games and became a staple in Auburn's bullpen.

Sitting well under .500 and coming off several consecutive losing seasons, the Rockies are looking to the future. Although, the signing of star third baseman Kris Bryant raises some eyebrows, the team's lack of pitching is going to hold them back.

In Skipper, the Rockies picked up a valuable lefty that can pitch in a variety of situations and provide some length out of the bullpen. In the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field, the Rockies need someone who can keep the ball in the park, and Skipper can do just that. He allowed just eight long balls in 2022.
LHP Hayden Mullins | Round 12 pick 369- Boston Red Sox

The lefty's draft stock might have been hurt by the arm injury that sidelined him for the end of the 2022 season. He did not pitch in the postseason for Auburn, but his strong regular season put him on the map.

The six-foot-tall junior from Tennessee started his first eight games for Auburn in 2022, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.63 ERA in 11 appearances. His strength was the strikeout, as he fanned 43 batters in 2022, including nine in his start against Vanderbilt.

He also saw work out of the bullpen in his freshman and sophomore years and early on in his junior year. That flexibility might prove valuable for him at the next level.

One area that Mullins will need to work on, however, is efficiency. Mullins' longest start in 2022 was five innings, and that is due to walks and deep counts. He walked 25 last season. While Mullins' big curveball gets a lot of swings and misses, it also leads to walks when hitters lay off of it.

It will be tough for Mullins to make an immediate impact with the Red Sox, who won the World Series in 2018 and made a run to the ALCS in 2021. They currently sit above .500 in a stacked AL East. Mullins will have to sharpen his efficiency and work on getting quick outs in order to work his way up in the farm system.
3B Blake Rambusch | Round 15 pick 456- Seattle Mariners
The Mariners got a sneaky good hitter in Rambusch. All he did in 2022 was lead Auburn in hits and post a .327 batting average.

The Austin, Texas product led off on an explosive Auburn lineup this season for one reason: he makes contact. The righty proved to be a tough strikeout, only going down on strikes 36 times in his junior season. He also went deep into counts and fouled off a lot of pitches, allowing guys behind him to pick up on the pitcher's stuff.

"Rambo" is incredibly resilient at the plate, and he doesn't back down with two strikes or two outs. He just makes contact and the rest takes care of itself.

His speed isn't to be underestimated either. He ranked third in the league in steals with 16 as a redshirt junior.

Rambusch stands at 5-foot-9, weighing 175 pounds, which is a little bit undersized for a third baseman, but he also saw time in right field and second base during his time on the Plains. He could be a valuable utility man, but he'll likely have plenty of time to find out his defensive position in the Minor Leagues.

No matter where he plays, he carries a sure glove. He was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in 2022 after recording a .957 fielding percentage.

The Mariners are one of the up-and-coming young teams in the MLB, and they are looking to end their 21-year playoff drought in 2022 after entering the All-Star break on a 14-game winning streak. Therefore, it is unlikely that Seattle is putting him in their short-term plans, but maybe he can work his way into them.

Rambusch is likely to prove himself as a talented young hitter if he continues what he did at Auburn last season. Don't let the fact that he was taken in the 15th round fool you. That will only act as fuel for Rambusch.
SS Brody Moore | Round 17 pick 517- St. Louis Cardinals
As a four-year starter at Auburn, not enough can be said about Moore. He was a pivotal leader on the 2022 Auburn team and the MVP of the Auburn Regional.

His discipline at the plate has grown each year, but his defensive gems make the shortstop stand out.

Like Rambusch, the Oneonta, Alabama native knows how to make contact. He struck out just 35 times in his senior season while hitting .291 in 64 starts. He racked up 158 collegiate hits and batted a career .299.

Standing at 5-foot-11, Moore was key in the run to the CWS. He racked up 14 hits in the postseason while only making one error. His two-sided play gives him a chance to prove himself at the next level. If he can increase his power numbers, his team-first attitude and unselfish play style will carry him a long way.

While the Cardinals are consistently a playoff team and are once again in the playoff picture in 2022, they have gone to their farm system fairly quickly and gotten big contributions from young players. There is no doubt that Moore has some work to do to get to The Show, but Moore has never been one to shy away from hard work.
Looking to the future
So, what's next for Auburn baseball? After a season of beating the odds, ending in a CWS bid, Auburn did what all great programs do and passed some talent on to the next level. But like all other top programs, head coach Butch Thompson and company will retool. They now have the privilege of telling recruits that the 2022 class went to two College World Series' and produced three draftees.

Auburn baseball has now put its name on the map in almost every way possible. It posted a winning record, winning SEC record, had a player win SEC Player of the Year, hosted a Regional, took a trip to Omaha and had eight players selected in the 2022 MLB Draft.

All this to say, retooling doesn't mean rebuilding for Auburn anymore. The Tigers are on the map, and Thompson has the Auburn program trending upward quickly. This draft just proves that even more.

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Auburn has eight players taken in record-setting MLB Draft - The Auburn Plainsman

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First, it was Auburn basketball, and now it is Auburn baseball proving that a great season yields great success on draft day. After a season full of unprecendented success and a run to the College World Series in June, eight Auburn players were selected in this year's MLB Draft, with a program-record four of them going in the first five rounds.

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4/19/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH

FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN -

Everyone loves a good underdog story, and Auburn football had one of its own come into the public eye during a rainy A-Day game Saturday, April 8.

After winning Scout Team Player of the Year last season as a first-year walk-on running back, No. 35 Justin "Ajax" Jones took advantage of his 10 carries during the spring game, going for 51 yards and capping it off with Auburn's only touchdown by a running back on the day. Jones reached the end zone along with the likes of quarterbacks Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner and wide receiver Landen King.

"Honestly, when I scored it's almost like it didn't register in my brain then and there," Jones said. "You see all those guys running it, like Robbie Ashford, Holden Geriner and Jarquez (Hunter), they got these nice little celebrations going. Me, I just scored and I was like, 'All right, next play.' I guess it's just been such a long time since I've gotten some type of exposure like that. But it felt great."

Hearing a crowd cheer as he bulldozed his way across the goal line and embracing his parents after the game is something he hasn't gotten to experience since his high school days at Bessemer Academy in Bessemer, Alabama. After graduating in 2019, he was recruited to the United States Naval Academy in Maryland, where he played for a year before coming back home to walk on at UAB.

Jones played a season with the Blazers and was nearing the end of his second spring with them when he received a call from his dad that fostered the move to The Plains.

"He was like, 'Son, I had a dream or something telling me that we need to take you to Auburn up with your brother, and you're gonna go up there and try out for the team and make it,'" Jones recalled.

Jones wasn't so sure, but he took a leap of faith.

"I was like, 'Uh, Dad, that's a little far-fetched, a little crazy.' Plus, I had a lot of financial things going on too, and I didn't know how we were going to handle that," Jones said. "He looked at me and said, 'God said that he will fix that.' So I just put everything in my dad's hands, and one thing led to another. I made the team, and it was an amazing experience, honestly."

He described it as amazing, but also scary. Battling feelings of self-doubt and feeling like he wasn't qualified, he said that he not only made the roster but that he thrived in his scout team role in his sophomore season. He survived the change in coaching staff from having Bryan Harsin leading the way, to his own running backs coach Cadillac Williams, to current head coach Hugh Freeze.

Although he loved the energy and change of pace Williams provided as head coach, Jones said he is appreciative of the way the coaching shuffle played out.

"As a walk-on, [a coaching change] is a scary process because so often, you really don't know what's next," Jones explained. "Like, when a new coach comes in, is he gonna kick all the walk-ons off? Every coach has their own agenda, things that they do, so it was kind of a stressful process, but thankfully Hugh Freeze came in and spared a lot of us, gave us some grace. He allowed us to come in and show him what we had to give, so we appreciated that opportunity. It was a good turnover process."

Known by his teammates as "Ajax," Jones is headed into year two as a Tiger not listed on Auburn's depth chart, but all he has done as an underdog so far is outperform expectations. Whether he reaches the field or not, Jones is already seeing his hard work pay off.

It took some time to see it come to fruition, but as he looks back on his TD run, it's obvious that his dad's vision wasn't so crazy after all.

"[Getting to where I am now took] not giving up," Jones said. "For someone in my position who didn't have all the offers from big-time schools and stuff, it can definitely get to you. But as long as you have a support system and believe in your goals and dream, you will get where you need to go.

"Keep God first, that's how you get to this position. ... And I just thank God I was chosen to come here and play."

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Auburn Football Walk-On Finds Spotlight at A-Day

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN - Everyone loves a good underdog story, and Auburn football had one of its own come into the public eye during a rainy A-Day game Saturday, April 8. After winning Scout Team Player of the Year last season as a first-year walk-on running back, No.

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AHS athlete signs to play college lacrosse

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AHS athlete signs to play college lacrosse

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5/10/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH

FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN -

At the age of 5, Graham Young was strolling through his neighborhood in Auburn when he noticed someone playing catch in a way he'd never seen before.

It immediately caught his attention, and he and his father stopped to ask what they were playing with. It was a lacrosse stick, something the boy had never heard of, but was fascinated by it. That Saturday, his father got him registered to play in a lacrosse league.

Now, Young is a multisport athlete at Auburn High School. He has also played football and basketball since kindergarten, but sitting in the gym alongside two football players as a senior, he signed his college letter of intent for a sport not sanctioned by the AHSAA.

"Lacrosse has always been my best and favorite sport," Young said. "When I was younger, I was always asked [Why lacrosse?], and my answer has always been the same, lacrosse is where my heart lies."

Young has played with the Atlanta-based Deep South Lacrosse league and the AU Club lacrosse team throughout high school. Over the years, he has seen firsthand the rapid growth of the sport across Alabama, but work is still in order for lacrosse to become an officially-recognized sport by the AHSAA. Young said he is hopeful that will change in the near future.

Lacrosse has grown to the point where finding competition was no struggle for Young, but in order to be recognized and have a better opportunity to play at the next level, he said that traveling was necessary. While he acknowledged the "rapid growth in popularity" of lacrosse in Alabama, the top-level talent is outside of the state.

"During the summer, depending on how much you want to get yourself exposed, is when traveling is very important," Young said. "While lacrosse is growing in the South, most of the better competition and opportunities to play in front of college coaches are up North. The way to grow the sport (in Alabama) is to make it available and known to more kids, the younger the better."

As a result of playing lacrosse, Young has paved the way forward for himself. He signed last week to play college lacrosse and study engineering at the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

His father, Mark Young, raved about how the sport has helped his son develop as an athlete but also as a man. He credited Graham's coaches, Ben Hunt and JJ Armino, for playing a huge role in his athletic development.

That is a sentiment that Graham saw in himself as a result of the life lessons lacrosse has taught him. And none of this would've been possible if the Youngs didn't discover a new way to play catch while walking through their neighborhood. "Lacrosse has taught me how to win and to lose, to step up as a leader when needed and to sit back and play my role," Young explained. "I've met some of my best friends and some of my greatest mentors (through lacrosse). I'm very thankful for this game and the things it has given me."

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AHS Athlete Shines Spotlight on Growing Sport With College Commitment

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN - At the age of 5, Graham Young was strolling through his neighborhood in Auburn when he noticed someone playing catch in a way he'd never seen before. It immediately caught his attention, and he and his father stopped to ask what they were playing with.

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6/07/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH

FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN -

After blazing through three games and scoring 51 runs in last year's Auburn regional, the Auburn University baseball team couldn't find any juice in their bat in a season-ending regional loss last weekend.

The Tigers joined Oklahoma State as the only top 16 seeds to go two-and-done in this year's regional round - Auburn's first time doing so since 2002 in the Tuscaloosa Regional. Instead, the No. 2-seed Southern Miss Golden Eagles will travel to face Tennessee in the super regionals.

With five runs between an 11-inning, 6-3 loss to Penn and a 7-2 loss to Southern Miss, Auburn couldn't find the explosive bats that got it to the postseason as the No. 13 national seed. While 26 runners reached base, 21 of them were stranded. The Tigers only had three run-scoring hits, as two of their runs versus Penn came via bases-loaded walks.

"We pride ourselves on getting timely hits the past month or so," said senior third baseman Bryson Ware. "The past few games, for whatever reason, it hasn't been falling our way."

Leading the team with 63 RBI, 24 homers and a 1.169 OPS, Ware struggled to find any answers to get the team going at the plate. He struck out three times in the regional while going 1-for-7 with three walks.

Still, Ware reached base as much as any Auburn player in the pair of games. Cole Foster and Cooper McMurray also reached four times, while Foster and freshman Ike Irish were the only Tigers with hits in both contests.

Auburn was a big hit away from winning game one and posing a threat in game two.

Each of Auburn's 13 hits were singles, including nine in game two versus Southern Miss. Penn also gave Auburn eight free bases, and Auburn walked four more times against the Golden Eagles. However, the Tigers struck out 22 times and only stole one base while stranding 21 runners.

Auburn began to turn the tides with three hits and two runs in the sixth inning of game two, but it was too little too late as the Golden Eagles stranded runners on the corners with a groundout.

"I really felt like we were one or two swings away," said head coach Butch Thompson after the loss to Southern Miss. "I didn't think our approach started getting better until the sixth inning today."

Its opponents could not relate. While Auburn struggled to push across runs, Southern Miss homered four times, and Penn used two RBI doubles and a two-run bomb to advance in the winner's bracket.

The Auburn pitching staff wasn't exactly lights out, either. It allowed 13 runs on 20 hits in 20 innings. The Tigers conceded six or more runs in each of its final four games - all resulting in losses.

While the end of the season was when Auburn was playing its best ball, it didn't carry over into the postseason as it has in prior years. The early exit broke its streak of three consecutive regional sweeps in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

"I just felt like [in] the last three regionals, we were in such a good spot and they played such good baseball," Thompson said. "I did not get this team to the point of ready to compete for being able to be there in the last day of it."

Despite a strong ending to the regular season, the early exit means Auburn will potentially part ways with six seniors, including five-year center fielder Kason Howell; catcher Nate LaRue; Ware, who broke Auburn's single-season home run record with 24 in 2023; and outfielder Bobby Pierce. While it ended in disappointing fashion, the Tigers went out in front of sold-out Auburn crowd of 129,948, setting back-to-back attendance records.

"Being able to play in front of these fans is something I'll hang my hat on for years to come," Ware said. "I'm really happy that I was a part of that and could contribute. It's a really cool memory that I'll cherish for a really long time."

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Tigers Can't Escape the Den, Season Ends

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN - After blazing through three games and scoring 51 runs in last year's Auburn regional, the Auburn University baseball team couldn't find any juice in their bat in a season-ending regional loss last weekend.

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OHS baseball player selected to all-state team

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OHS baseball player selected to all-state team

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6/22/23

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AU baseball loses in College World Series

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AU baseball loses in College World Series

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6/22/22

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In a year where Auburn was projected to finish seventh in the SEC West, Auburn was among the final six teams alive in its unforeseen postseason run.

However, it was its own division that brought on its downfall. After losing to Ole Miss in game one of the College World Series, Auburn was dominated 11-1 by Arkansas to end its season.

"I didn't want this ride to end," said head coach Butch Thompson. "Hopefully we've stair-stepped this program to keep fighting and having a feeling that the best is yet to come."

Once again, Auburn was silenced by a division opponent's starting pitcher. For Ole Miss, it was Dylan Delucia who shut down Auburn. For Arkansas, Will McEntire and his breaking balls did the job.

"The two losses we had [in the College World Series], we scored one run in each game," Thompson said. "Down the stretch, we had to tip our hat to too many starting pitchers... Those third and fourth innings were too much to overcome."

He hit the strike zone early and often, notching nine Ks (eight swinging.) Six of his strikeouts came consecutively in the second and third innings following Arkansas' double play to end the first inning.

He lasted seven innings into the game and allowed just three Auburn hits and just one more base runner on a walk to earn the win and improve to 2-2. McEntire held Auburn hitless through three innings and didn't surrender an extra-base hit until Bobby Pierce stroked a line drive homer in the seventh inning to deny the shutout.

"(McEntire) had all of his pitches working for him," said senior Brody Moore. "Wherever Turner put his glove, that's where the ball was going. I thought he had great command and didn't make as many mistakes as a starting pitcher usually does."

Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn made a lineup change in an elimination game, and it paid off. He moved lefty Peyton Stovall to second in the lineup, and he exploded for a 5-for-6 performance with three RBI.

Stovall led the way, but the whole top of the Razorback's lineup came through with big nights. Arkansas had five guys with multi-hit games, and the team had 16 hits as a club.

Auburn starting pitcher Mason Barnett was not able to match McEntire's dominance. After pitching in wins in the final games of the Regional and Super Regional, Barnett's luck ran out against the disciplined Arkansas hitters.

He was able to survive an early attack from the Hogs in the first inning, but three more runs in the third inning ended his day. When he allowed back-to-back knocks to start off the game, a mound visit from pitching coach Tim Hudson allowed him to calm down and punch out two batters and retire three straight to end the inning.

However, while McEntyre held Auburn hitless through the first three innings, its only base runner coming from a questionable no-call on a full count pitch to Moore, Barnett ran into trouble again in the third inning, and this time he couldn't escape it. The Hogs pushed one across on a single before Robert Moore shot a double down the line in left field to score two more.

Mike Bello had no shot at making the play, but that might be a good thing. With the sun glaring right into his eyes in the first five innings or so, he struggled to see and track down fly balls early in the game, and it seemed like left field was Arkansas' happy zone.

A single that should've been an easy out dropped in front of Bello to get things going for the Hogs in a three-run third inning before a no-doubt homer in the fourth left him searching for a ball he never saw.

Barnett was not as efficient hitting the strike zone, and the Arkansas hitters did not help him out. He picked up his third loss of the season, exiting after 77 pitches and only getting eight outs.

After John Armstrong came in and struck out his first hitter to stop the bleeding in the third, he could not repeat his performance in the fourth, as Arkansas mounted another monster inning.

Following a single and a double to put runners on second and third, Armstrong induced a popup for the second out and looked to escape the jam. Arkansas then smashed two consecutive extra-base hits to score four runs. Michael Turner knocked home two on a double before a Chris Lanzilli homer made it 8-0.

With Auburn held to two hits, Arkansas tacked on another run, this time on senior Carson Skipper. Again with two outs, Skipper gave up back-to-back base hits that brought Casey Wallace home before another single chased Skipper after his two-inning performance in which he surrendered three hits while striking out two.

Finally ending the shutout in the seventh, Pierce notched double digits in homers on the year with a solo shot down the left field line for his tenth of the year.

This was just one of several opportunities for the right fielder to show off in the game. After Auburn lost its review in the first inning challenging an out call, Pierce gunned down a man at second in the fourth inning but he was ruled safe.

He was determined to throw someone out, though, and after spinning in a circle, he fired a ball to third to get a man going from first to third on a single in the eighth inning.

Other than a single from Kason Howell and two singles from Sonny DiChiara, however, Pierce's gems were the only excitement for the Tigers in the end of an unbelievable postseason run.

To wrap things up, Auburn went to a group of four relievers: Chase Isbell, Chase Allsup, Carson Swilling and Brooks Fuller for the last 4.1 innings. They got six strikeouts while surrendering two hits and two runs in the ninth.

Auburn pitchers ended with 13 strikeouts in the game, notching double-digit Ks in all three games at the 2022 CWS.

When McEntire exited after seven innings, the Arkansas bullpen shut things down with two scoreless innings, and the Razorback offense added two more runs in the ninth inning to make it a double-digit victory.

Arkansas (45-20) will advance to play Ole Miss in a rematch to see who goes to the NCAA Championship against the winner of Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Arkansas, already with a loss in the Colllege World Series to Ole Miss, will have to beat the Rebels twice to advance.

Despite a disappointing finish, this Auburn baseball team (43-22) will go down in the history books. They finished fifth in a loaded SEC, hosted and won a Regional for the first time since 2010, went to Oregon and defeated the No. 3 team in the country in the Corvallis Super Regional and got its first win in the CWS since 1997.

"A lot of people can say that coming to Omaha is a once in a lifetime thing, but me, Kason (Howell) and Brody (Moore) and all the other guys have been here twice," Skipper said. "It's incredible to come to a place that brings such joy and happiness to the college baseball world more than once."

Doubted from the beginning, this team overachieved all season in the senior class' second trip to Omaha. Seniors Moore and Skipper sat beside Thompson postgame and had nothing but praise for their ball coach.

"[Getting back to Omaha] is a testament to (coach Thompson)," Moore said. "He's a great leader. He's one of the best I've ever played for. I wouldn't have it any other way."

This is a team that has momentum going into the future. Being able to host a Regional and seeing the team be so dominant in it might have been exactly what Auburn needed to bring excitement to baseball on the Plains for years to come.

"I absolutely think we're on the cusp of doing amazing things consistently," Thompson said. "That'll be the driving force, trying to leave this program in a better place."

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Auburn's postseason run ended by division foes in Omaha - The Auburn Plainsman

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Auburn gets dominated by Arkansas to end its season in Omaha.

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Auburn baseball announced as regional hosts

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Auburn baseball announced as regional hosts

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Date: 5/31/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH

FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN -

In April, Auburn University baseball was sitting at 20-15-1 after a series loss at the hands of the Crimson Tide, and it was
looking like a rebuilding year after last year's College World Series run.
Down 7-0 in the third inning in the rubber match after splitting the first two games with Mississippi State the next weekend, it
looked like the season was going downhill at a sprint. But Auburn rallied back to win, 12-11, fueling the fire for five straight
series wins to end the season and revive its playoff hopes.
Auburn ended the season at 34-21-1, and as a No. 13 national seed, it is now set to host its second consecutive NCAA
Tournament Regional for the first time in program history. The Tigers have hosted five regionals all-time in 1978, 1999, 2003,
2010 and 2022.
After winning last season's Auburn Regional in front of a record-breaking crowd at Plainsman Park, head coach Butch
Thompson is leading his club into his fifth regional bid in eight seasons as a head coach at Auburn, etching him at second all-
time program-wide in that category.
"Auburn baseball to host back-to-back regionals at Plainsman Park is a big, big deal," Thompson said. "A credit to our
assistant coaches, all of our staff and these amazing players of breeding some consistency in the program. Last year was pretty
special here. To be able to do it again, I'm looking forward to it."
Opening the regional as the top seed, Auburn will begin play on Friday, June 2, with No. 4-seed Penn (32-14). Also in the
field, No. 2 Samford (36-24) will take on No. 3 Southern Miss (41-17). The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles will kick off the action
at 1 p.m. CST on Friday, and Auburn will go to battle with Penn at 6 p.m.

The conference is setting the standard with eight NCAA Tournament hosts, doubling the number of teams from any other
conference (ACC- 4), and Auburn went 17-13 in conference play and finished by taking series over Mississippi State, then-No.
2 South Carolina and then-No. 1 LSU; then it swept reigning national champion Ole Miss and Missouri.
However, the other three teams in the field are a combined 0-13 against SEC competition.
Scouting the field:
Auburn's first opponent, the Penn Quakers, got swept in an early-season series with South Carolina, but it made the
Gamecocks fight for a season-opening sweep, losing by one in the final two games. It won the Ivy League Championship and
dominated league play in the regular season, going 16-5. Penn ended the season on an eight-game winning streak, led by five
hitters batting over .300 and Wyatt Henseler with 17 homers.
The only team in the field Auburn has seen this season is Samford, who Auburn took down 13-3 in eight innings back in
April. Samford won the SoCon Tournament, winning three games in one day to notch an automatic tournament bid, but it went
0-7 against SEC opponents in 2023.
The Bulldogs won their final nine games and are led by Jayden Davis, who is leading the team with a .363 average, 78 hits
and 47 runs and senior pitcher Jacob Cravey, who is fourth in the NCAA with 121 Ks in 98.2 IP.
Perhaps a dangerous team, Southern Miss, also won its conference championship in the Sun Belt. With a 22-8 conference
record, the Golden Eagles went 0-3 against SEC opponents, but beat some high-level competition. They took 3-of-4 from
regional-bound Troy, stole a game from No. 7 Coastal Carolina and swept a talented No. 17 Dallas Baptist team. They are led
by ace Tanner Hall, who owns a 2.23 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 30 walks in 97 IP.
The Home Team:
Winning its final eight regular-season games while shutting down top-notch competition, Auburn is as hot as any team in the
nation. Auburn has been able to solidify its pitching rotation that was a struggle early in the season.
In the absence of its only returning starter from 2022, Joseph Gonzalez, graduate lefty Tommy Vail has stepped up and led the
rotation with 13 starts and a 3.46 ERA, while sophomore Will Cannon, sophomore John Armstrong, junior Tanner Bauman and
senior Chase Isbell have each thrown 20+ innings out of the bullpen.
Meanwhile, senior third baseman Bryson Ware is putting the nation on notice, breaking the program record for home runs
with 24, which also ranks eighth in the NCAA this season. Junior shortstop Cole Foster, who had three homers and 12 RBI with
six hits in last year's regional, accompanied Ware on the SEC All-Tournament team, and the duo tallied averages of .356 and
.336, respectively, with both recording OPS over 1.0 this season.
Led by freshman Ike Irish at .364, the Tigers posted a team average of .291, good for fifth in the SEC. The Tigers are one of
the most dangerous teams offensively, and they'll have the luxury of starting a guy in center field who's already been to two
regionals and won them both: Kason Howell.
Losing eight players to the MLB Draft after last season, Auburn has been left filling in the gaps this season, but the Tigers
feel comfortable in the position they are in.
"It's a big step for this program," Howell said. "It's a milestone that this program has reached, and we couldn't be more
excited. This is the goal, to host regionals and for the road to Omaha to go through Auburn, Alabama, as many years as it can."

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Run it Back, Plainsman Park: AU Baseball Repeats as Regional Host

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN - In April, Auburn University baseball was sitting at 20-15-1 after a series loss at the hands of the Crimson Tide, and it waslooking like a rebuilding year after last year's College World Series run.Down 7-0 in the third inning in the rubber match after splitting the first two games with Mississippi State the next weekend, itlooked like the season was going downhill at a sprint.

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Glenwood baseball players win yearly awards

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Glenwood baseball players win yearly awards

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6/21/23

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH

FOR THE OBSERVER

SMITHS STATION -

The ninth-ranked high school baseball team in Alabama wasn't done winning when they lifted their state championship trophy.

After a 46-4 season that culminated in its ninth state title since 2000, Glenwood seniors Jaxon Milam and Jacob Page set themselves apart from even the top competition. Milam, the Gators' shortstop, was named AISA Player of the Year and Hitter of the Year, while Page was named Pitcher of the Year.

"It starts in the offseason with them - they never miss - that's the bottom line," said head coach Tim Fanning. "That kind of consistency is what it takes in baseball - the greatest players are the most consistent. They never wavered the whole time they were in the program. They committed to working hard."

The South Alabama Jaguars, whom Milam has committed to as he continues his playing and academic career, are getting a boomstick in their next season. As if 10 homers in his junior year didn't prove what he could do with the bat, he went on to break Glenwood's program home run record with 19 this season. He put together an impressive .394 average with a .518 on-base percentage and only 12 strikeouts while walking 29 times.

As head coach Tim Fanning noted, his game doesn't end with his power. Milam swiped 22 bags in 2023 and led the Gators with five triples.

"He has unlimited power and great speed to go along with that," Fanning said. "He can do more than just hit home runs, he's a constant threat on the base paths. He's a constant threat for extra-base hits. He had 10 home runs his junior year but like 17 doubles and nine triples, so he's always a threat for that extra base."

With the help of his coaching staff and his older brother, Hunter, who was drafted by the Phillies' organization in 2019, a change in mindset helped Milam turn on the jets toward the end of his senior year.

It's just playing ball, according to Milam. When he embraced his role in putting the team first, the results started pouring in. The awards are just reinforcements that the change in mindset is taking him in the right direction.

"Just not trying to force things, really [is what made it such a successful season]," Milam said. "I was just trying to hit line drives and go the other way - just help the team out as much as I could and get on base and the rest just took care of itself ... This award means all the hard work paid off and everything the coaches stressed to me worked."

Joining Milam as a First-Team All-State selection by the ASWA, Page won pitcher of the year while putting the team on his back from the mound. He went 12-0 in a team-leading 72 innings pitched, good for a 1.65 ERA. He struck out 84 hitters while only walking 14 and held opposing batters to a .181 ERA.

A lifer at Glenwood, dominance came to be expected from Page. He finished his last two seasons 21-1 and threw three complete-game victories in the playoffs this season, including a shutout in game one of the state championship versus Macon-East Academy.

"You gave him the ball and he'd give it back to you after the game was over," Fanning said matter-of-factly. "He's very rarely not going to pitch seven innings. Even if he didn't have his best stuff, he was going to keep us in the game - he's just very tough on the mound. For two of our best arms to not throw all season, having him as a constant was key for us."

Also hitting .435 and leading all starters with a .611 OBP, Page is going to Central Alabama Community College able to contribute from both sides of the plate. He will join former Gators Jake Smith, his former catcher, and Ty Smith in Alexander City.

"The coaching staff has really helped me jump to the next level and develop into a great pitcher," Page said. "I've got to thank my teammates, of course, that's probably the best defense I've ever had play behind me. My catcher too, Pierce Edwards, did an awesome job and I want to give them credit."

Page and Milam join Lane Griggs and Tyler Sykes as First-Team All-State selections, while sophomore Mason McCraine was a Second-Team selection and senior Wyatt Tharpe was listed as an honorable mention.

Coming off a tough state championship loss last year, Glenwood came together as a team this year, and many individual accolades were the result of a selfless team culture as the team ended its six-year championship drought.

"I don't think anybody on this team was in it for themselves," Milam said. "We did it for coach Fanning this year, and it wasn't about 'me,' and everybody came together and realized that."

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Gator Baseball Chomps On Individual Awards

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BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER SMITHS STATION - The ninth-ranked high school baseball team in Alabama wasn't done winning when they lifted their state championship trophy. After a 46-4 season that culminated in its ninth state title since 2000, Glenwood seniors Jaxon Milam and Jacob Page set themselves apart from even the top competition.

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6-18-22

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The lower seeds continued their College World Series dominance, as Ole Miss defeated No. 14 Auburn for the third time this season, 5-1. The lower seed won all four of the opening round matchups of the College World Series without trailing.

"I just think their approach created some fortune for them whereas ours did not," said head coach Butch Thompson. "Both teams struck out 13 times in the ballgame, but it just didn't seem like we were ever in an [advantageous] count... It seemed like the whole game we were trying to make contact more than just trying to get in some advantageous situations."

This game was a tale of one ace being dominant and the other being so-so. Ole Miss starter Dylan DeLucia shut down the Auburn bats for 7.2 innings, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out 10.

"I think the biggest thing was first-pitch strikes: not necessarily the fastball but the off speed," said junior Bobby Pierce. "He was just putting it where he wanted to today."

Auburn only recorded four hits in the game, while Ole Miss consistently found the outfield grass for 11 hits. The Auburn outfielders seemed to have issues picking up the ball in the game, as a plethora of pop ups fell to the ground in front of them into the shallow outfield for hits after a late break to the ball.

The Tigers also struggled fielding in the dimensions of the ballpark at Charles Schwab field, and left fielder Mike Bello crashed into the left field fence twice early on before Brody Moore was taken out by the tarp along the left field wall while trying to run down a foul pop fly.

Opposingly, Ole Miss' defense wasn't tested much as DeLucia operated through the first round of Auburn's batting order flawlessly. In fact, he was perfect through 4.2 innings, when Moore lined a single into right field, and he was pitching a shutout through his first six frames.

On the other hand, Auburn sinkerballer Joseph Gonzalez, who has been dominant closing out series' this season, was not as brilliant in the College World Series opener, as he falls to 7-4 on the season. Giving up two runs in the first inning, he bounced back and got through five innings, but the early deficit was too much as DeLucia shaved through Auburn's lineup early on.

Gonzalez didn't go down easy, striking out seven Rebel hitters as opposed to one walk and stranding four runners in his five inning, four-run outing, but the Rebels made it hard for him to get the weak contact that he thrives on.

When he allowed the first two batters to reach in the fifth inning, Carson Skipper took over for him on the mound and gave Auburn some valuable length out of the bullpen, finishing out the last four innings game and keeping things open for an offensive breakout.

However, Skipper failed to repeat his performance from game three of the Super Regionals where he fanned the first two batters he faced. He surrendered another run in the sixth and allowed Ole Miss to take a 5-0 lead despite hurler four strong innings and recording six Ks in relief to keep the Tigers in the game and allow the bullpen to stay rested.

Kicking them while they were down, the Rebels built on their two-out, two-run first-inning single from Kemp Alderman by stretching their lead to 5-0 over the Tigers after six innings. After a solo home run in the third inning from Kevin Graham, Ole Miss tacked on two more in the sixth.

When Skipper came in with two on and no outs, he looked to work around the threat and keep Auburn in the game. Following a single that loaded the bases, he induced a grounder to Blake Rambusch at third base that traded a run for a double play.

Skipper couldn't hold things there, however, as he allowed another to cross on a single from TJ McCants to cap off the Ole Miss scoring.

The Auburn offense, despite getting shut down by Rebel closer Josh Mallitz, got in the last punch of the night with a run on three straight hits in the seventh inning from Garrett Farquhar, Sonny DiChiara and then Pierce knocked a single through the left side for Auburn's one and only RBI of the game to finally get to DeLucia.

Auburn failed to keep it up against Mallitz for the final four outs, however, as he sat down three of four Auburn hitters on strikes to end the ballgame.

"One loss isn't going to kill us, and we're going to come back Monday fighting," Pierce said. "We're a team that's going to fight every game no matter what- if we're down five or up 10. Whatever it is, we're going to fight."

Pierce's teammates reiterated the notion that Auburn will fight to the end. Auburn was never swept in a series this season, and it only lost consecutive regular-season contest three times throughout the regular season.

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"Today wasn't really a true testimony to who we are," Skipper said. "Monday's going to be a different story. It's how you respond and bounce back that defines who you are."

With the loss, Auburn (42-21) will take tomorrow off before squaring up with No. 2 Stanford in an elimination game at 1 p.m. CST on Monday in Omaha on ESPN. Stanford is also looking to bounce back after it lost 17-2 to Arkansas on Saturday.

As the one team in Auburn's bracket that reigns from outside the SEC, the Cardinal of Stanford are foreign territory. However, Auburn did take out Stanford's Pac-12 foe Oregon State in the Super Regionals en route to Omaha.

"The SEC teams are familiar, but we still have to do a lot of work on each team," Thompson said. "36 of the last 40 [National Championship] winners have won that first game, so it's a tall order, but that's what's good about the way the tournament is set up... We'll spend a lot of time on Stanford tomorrow."

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Auburn outpowered by Ole Miss in game one of College World Series - The Auburn Plainsman

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A gem from Ole Miss starter Dylan DeLucia was too much for Auburn to handle in its loss in the opening round of the College World Series.

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AU wins Corvallis Super Regional, advances to CWS

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AU wins Corvallis Super Regional, advances to CWS

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6-14-23

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Against all odds, No. 14 Auburn baseball went to Corvallis, Oregon and pulled out a win in the Super Regionals to claim a ticket to Omaha.

"Words can't describe how exciting that was, just out there in the moment living it up," said junior pitcher Blake Burkhalter. "It was amazing for the first three seconds until I was at the bottom of a dog pile."

After starting the season unranked and projected to finish next-to-last in the SEC, Auburn's trip to the College World Series will be the sixth in Auburn program history and already the second under the tenure of head coach Butch Thompson.

The old saying proves true again: "defense wins championships." Despite getting outhit 8-3, Auburn (42-20) played flawless defense in a 4-3 win to stun No. 3 Oregon State (48-18) and move on to the College World Series for the second time in three NCAA Tournaments.

The Tigers stuck out 15 Oregon State hitters and stranded nine men on base while committing no errors in a gutsy win.

Offensively, Sonny DiChiara made the difference. He recorded two of Auburn's three hits, going 2-for-2 and reaching in all four plate appearances, with a home run, single, walk and hit by pitch. His 22nd homer of the year in the third inning was Auburn's first hit of the game.

Closing the door and striking out five, Burkhalter delivered a gutsy, 2.2-inning save after taking over in a messy situation for Carson Skipper in the seventh inning. The reliever was as dominant as could be, retiring all eight opposing hitters for his 15th save of the season.

"I don't think [Burkhalter] is a closer or a set-up pitcher. He's a competitive moment pitcher," said head coach Butch Thompson. "I'm always wondering if Burkhalter is my last line of defense in the game too early. It was not today, and he was great."

After Mason Barnett began strong in his start, he ultimately gave way to the bullpen after 4.1 innings. He only allowed one run on five hits, walking three and sitting down five on strikes, but the Beavers' lefty-filled lineup forced Auburn to go to Carson Skipper with one out in the fifth inning.

Starting out on the right foot, Skipper fanned his first two batters and retired his first five hitters before getting into trouble in the seventh inning. Although he gave two two runs on three hits in the seventh, his two-inning, five-strikeout performance boosted him to 6-3 on the season and passed the baton to a lights out Burkhalter to seal the deal.

Although Oregon State starter Jaren Hunter had Auburn's offense out to a slow start with no hits through the first two innings, DiChiara got Auburn started in the third inning as he did in game one, with a two-run home run to make it 2-0 after Cole Foster's walk.

However, Oregon State got right back at Auburn and cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first when Justin Boyd came in to score on a groundout after his triple went over Bello's head and off the left field wall with one out.

With the Auburn bats quiet once again, the Beavers threatened to take over in the fifth. After Wade Meckler won the race with Barnett to first base for an infield single, a walk ended Barnett's outing.

Coming in with two on and one out, Skipper looked anything but intimidated in a win-or-go-home game. He struck out his first two batters he faced to end the fifth and give Auburn the opportunity to tack on to its lead in the sixth.

Even though he had retired the previous six batters via the groundout, Oregon State went to its bullpen in the sixth with Hunter at 75 pitches, and Auburn tacked on two more.

After DiChiara walked and Pierce doubled down the right field line to get runners on second and third, a Brooks Carlson ground ball to second was mishandled and, after the review overturned the call, Carlson beat the throw at first and everyone was safe.

Immediately looking to catch Oregon State off guard and add onto the damage, Brody Moore laid down a bunt to the right side. It was picked up by the charging first baseman and tossed to the plate too late. Pierce scored to put Auburn up 4-1.

With a three-run advantage and having retired the past five, Skipper returned to the mound for the seventh inning. Following up a leadoff single, Boyd launched his second extra-base hit of the game, but this time it went way over the fence for a two-run homer. The big swing made it 4-3, and after a walk a single ensued, Burkhalter took over for Skipper with two on and one out.

Burkhalter, who has not looked like his best self as of late, returned to mid-season form in the seventh inning and, like Skipper, punched out the first two batters he saw to strand two and send things to the eighth inning with Auburn up by one.

"We always say the relievers job is to get the first guy out," Thompson said. "Skipper did that, and Burkhalter did that when they first came in the ballgame. I thought that was a key."

He did not look back from there. No. 40 in orange made his name known with two more perfect innings to win the game, ending the ninth by getting Oregon State's top three hitters in the order.

In the end, Oregon State notched five more hits than Auburn. It even got more extra-base hits, but Auburn stranded nine Oregon State runners and committed no errors in the game, and it earned them a trip to the College World Series.

The one error in the game: the bobbled grounder at second base by Oregon State in the seventh inning, costed the Beavers a run and made the difference in a one-run ballgame.

In the end, veteran presence from guys who have been to the College World Series before helped Auburn have the calm, steady approach it needed to take down a team that thrives off of mistakes from its opponents.

"To be able to go back to Omaha so soon is kind of a testament to a few guys like Brody Moore, our shortstop, Kason Howell, our centerfielder, and Carson Skipper, one of our pitchers that was on that team in 2019," Thompson said. "They've done a great job. We have a good program."

As its first opponent in Omaha, Auburn will face a familiar opponent in SEC West foe Ole Miss, who it dropped two of three to to kick off SEC play this season. That game will take place at 6 p.m. CST on June 18th. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2, once again.

Those two aren't the only SEC West clubs to join the party. The Tigers and Rebels will join No. 5 Texas A&M and Arkansas in Omaha this coming week. Set to join the SEC in 2025, Texas and Oklahoma are making appearances in the College World Series as well.

"I just love these guys so much," DiChiara said. "And you know, we get two more weeks together, or however many games we have promised, that's how long we have together as a group ... We're just going to play to the best of our ability and live it up."

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Auburn marches into College World Series with gutsy win over Oregon State - The Auburn Plainsman

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Auburn claims spot in the College World Series with a win in game three over Oregon State.

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6-11-23

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Auburn baseball came into the season with low expectations, but the team hopes to continue to prove they belong when they go to Corvallis, Oregon for a three-game set in the Super Regionals this weekend.

Picked to finish last in the SEC West in the SEC coach's preseason poll, all Auburn has done is overachieve. It ended the season at 40-19 and was selected to host a Regional for the for time since 2010 as the No.14 seed in the country.

"I think they have a plan and an understanding of where people forecasted them, and I think they've used it for fuel," said head coach Butch Thompson. "These guys have had a chip on their shoulder from day one."
Hot as can be
The Tigers put that fuel on full display last weekend, outscoring their opponents 51-18 in three games against SE Louisiana, Florida State and UCLA to sweep their way through the Auburn Regional. They set their season high in hits (21) against SE Louisiana before setting their season record in runs the next day with a 21-run game against FSU.

After getting shut out by Kentucky to end the SEC Tournament, the Auburn offense completely changed the narrative in the Regional, batting .395 as a team and slugging 11 home runs and 49 RBI. The team also showed great poise at the plate, earning 29 walks as opposed to only 24 strikeouts.

SEC Co-Player of the Year Co-Player of the Year, Sonny DiChiara, led the team in hits with nine, and Regional MVP Brody Moore followed with eight.

The Tigers benefitted from having second baseman Cole Foster back in the lineup in the Regionals. The switch hitter was inserted into two hole in the lineup and had six hits, including a four-hit game with three homers (two in one inning) in game one versus SE Louisiana.

The starting pitching was another strong point for the Auburn club last weekend, as all three starters picked up wins, going a combined 16.1 innings and giving up seven runs while striking out 23.

While the starters turned in strong outings and the offense went off, the bullpen wasn't put in any taxing situations. In fact, Auburn didn't turn to key bullpen pieces Carson Skipper or Blake Burkhalter until game three, when they were asked to keep a nine-run advantage. Chase Allsup was not called into action all weekend, and no reliever made more than one appearance on the weekend.

"We can't play better than we did last weekend. That's the biggest challenge for us is trying to maintain and stay there," Thompson said. "I think it's all mind. I don't think it's as much physical as anything else."
Unfamiliar territory
These two teams come from leagues that are not very familiar with each other. Before the Regionals, Auburn had not faced a Pac-12 opponent, while Oregon State had not faced an SEC opponent until last weekend. Auburn defeated UCLA of the Pac-12 11-4 in the Regional final, and the Beavers split two games in the final with the SEC's Vanderbilt, who Auburn took two out of three from.

Wile Auburn made light work of the Bruins, the Beavers struggled when going head-to-head with them this season, losing the last series of the season against them and splitting a pair of games with them in the Pac-12 Tournament.

Auburn will get the chance to prove it can play with the best of competition on the highest level this weekend. With a trip to Omaha and a chance to play in the College World Series on the line, Auburn will square up with No. 3 Oregon State starting on Saturday at 9 p.m. CST in Corvallis, Oregon.

While Auburn has shown promise this year on the road at 10-8 in away games, this will be its first trip to the West Coast this season. The games on Monday and Tuesday will start at 9 p.m. CST, Auburn's latest start time this season. Temperatures will also be much lower than Auburn is used to. After a weekend full of Alabama heat and 80+ degrees weather, Oregon expects temperatures to set around 50 degrees Fahrenheit each night.

"We're trying to stay up an hour later each night, which is a problem for me, it's not so much a challenge for these guys, probably," Thompson said.

Despite the odd circumstances for Auburn, Thompson remains confident in his team and their recent play. With the veteran presence of guys like Skipper and Moore, who played in the College World Series in 2018, he feels that the team has the maturity they need to put the distractions to the side.

The team will arrive to Corvallis a day early and practice on the field on Friday, which also instills confidence in the team that they can make those adjustments.

"This thing will come down to execution, whether we're playing here at Plainsman Park or a 41-hour drive away," Thompson said.
Scouting the Beavers
Oregon State, much like Auburn, didn't have the ending to its regular season that it would've hoped for. It dropped its last two series of the season to Arizona and UCLA. It then won two games in the Pac 12 Tournament before losing a 25-22 game to UCLA and then getting eliminated by No. 2 Stanford.

However, the Beavers have earned the right to host a Super Regional after beating New Mexico State, San Diego and winning a rematch with Vanderbilt 7-6 after losing the first.

Stealing 82 bases as a team, the Beavers have a talented offense that thrives on stringing together hits and using their speed and aggressiveness to take extra bases. They are the jack of their trade: playing small ball. They have five .300+ hitters, but the team has only hit 55 home runs (Auburn hit 70). Oregon State hitters also display great plate discipline with 376 walks as a club.

Leadoff hitter Justin Boyd leads the team in batting average (.366), OBP (.488), and steals (24-for-30) and is second on the team with 52 walks. It is key for Auburn to keep Boyd off the basepaths and attack the Oregon State hitters.

The majority of its power comes from center fielder Jacob Melton. He has 16 homers while knocking in 81 runs and leading the team with a .668 slugging percentage. He hit one of the Beavers' three dingers in game two against Vanderbilt.

On the mound, Oregon State has compiled a 4.19 ERA as a team compared to Auburn's 4.46. It has a 606-179 strikeout-to-walk ratio and has only given up 35 home runs.

The pitching staff is led by southpaw sophomore Hjerbe Cooper, who is one of three finalists for the Golden Spikes award that is given to College Baseball's top player. The California native posted a 2.40 ERA while amassing a 10-2 record in 16 starts. He racked up 155 Ks as opposed to 26 walks.

Although all 16 of his prior appearances were starts, he came up clutch in game two against Vandy, pitching two scoreless innings and striking out five in a one-run contest in his first save of the year.
Pitching matchups
Oregon State will go to its ace, Cooper, for game one, while the Tigers will give the ball to RHP Trace Bright (4-4, 4.80). Bright earned the win in game one versus SE Louisiana, going five innings and surrendering four runs despite striking out 10.

"(Getting the game one start) is a huge honor," Bright said. "We want to go out and set the tone early like we did this past weekend. Try and get away in that first game and then go from there."

Game two will feature Auburn's Joseph Gonzalez (7-2, 2.90) versus the Beavers' RHP Jake Phennigs (4-0, 2.94). Gonzalez earned the win in game two of the Regional versus Florida State with six innings of three-run ball.

If the series comes down to game three, Auburn will go to Mason Barnett (3-2, 4.13), who might have pitched the best game of his career versus UCLA on Sunday before the weather ended play for the night, ending his line at 5.1 shutout innings. He gave up a leadoff double but did not allow another hit from that point while striking out 10, matching his career high. Oregon State will go with freshman RHP Jacob Kmatz (8-2, 4.19).

The best of three series between No. 14 Auburn (40-19) and No. 3 Oregon State (47-16) will be played at 9 p.m. CST on Friday and Saturday on ESPN2. If necessary, game three's start time is undecided.

After making the Super Regionals in both 2018 and 2019, Auburn takes a 3-5 record in the Super Regionals, including 3-3 under Butch Thompson into the series.

"It was always in our minds that we wanted to go on this run and that we were going to do it," said center fielder Kason Howell. "We wanted to prove to everybody that we were going to be the team to make the run and win the National Championship. We're right where we wanted to be and right where we thought we would be, so we're just going to do what we know how to do best and play a good, high level of baseball."

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Auburn seeks to continue to prove itself in Super Regionals - The Auburn Plainsman

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Auburn will face Oregon State starting Saturday, June 11th with a trip to the College World Series on the line.

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Date: 6/17/2022

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All it took to make the most iconic Auburn baseball fan was an Auburn helmet from a Subway giveaway, a couple of chants and a lot of love for Auburn baseball.

You probably know him as "Helmet Guy," and he's one of the main components of Plainsman Park year by year. Many Auburn fans are familiar with his passionate chants and participate in them unquestionably.

Mike Cooper, better known as Helmet Guy, is a 1974 Auburn graduate in industrial design. When he was invited to his first Auburn baseball game by Ron Anders Jr. while working at Anders Bookstore during his time at Auburn, he was "hooked" on Auburn baseball.

Ever since then, he and his wife have had season tickets, as also he does for football, basketball and softball.

Cooper is no ordinary season ticket holder, though. Traveling from Clanton, Alabama for each set of weekend games, he brings his voice with him and leads the crowds in chants at each home game.

It started in 2001, Cooper recalls, when he remembers a silent crowd at an Auburn baseball game. He realized something had to be done about the unenthused crowd, so he began leading a series of chants.

"I just hate it for the fans to sit there," Cooper said. "I just wanted the guys to get pumped up for the game."

As for the helmet, Cooper says he got it from a giveaway Subway was doing, and he never put it away.

"It was for kids, really, but it would fit an adult head," Cooper said. "When I got out and started cheering, it just kind of stuck. I guess I was recognized by that and that's where the names 'the helmet guy' or 'helmet Mike' came about."

Cooper has been cheering on the Tigers ever since, but as Auburn got to know him and his impact in livening crowds, former Auburn softball coach Corey Myers invited Cooper to start cheering for softball games as well, and he has been doing that ever since.

While Cooper enjoys all Auburn sports, he hopes to help the environments of baseball and softball match those of the historical Auburn football program and the atmosphere head coach Bruce Pearl has built for basketball at Auburn.

"Everybody loves football. They say it's always hard to come play at Auburn because of the crowd noise," Cooper said. "Then, coach Pearl comes along and gets our program going in basketball... I want that to happen with our baseball, but you have to win, and we're winning now."

With the baseball team hosting a Regional, winning it, and going on to play in the World Series in Omaha this coming weekend, Cooper hopes this is the kind of year that gets fans excited about baseball like at other schools.

"I like what's going on over at schools like Texas A&M, Mississippi and Mississippi State," Cooper said. "Those crowds are really into it. It just makes things fun."

For Cooper, his motives are to show people the pleasures of baseball and being in a ballpark. He hopes some of his enthusiasm can rub off on others and be contagious.

"(Auburn) is a real nice atmosphere to come out and watch a ball game," Cooper said. "I just hope it sticks with them: the enjoyment of being in a baseball park and bringing your kids out and stuff like that. Aubie is always out there getting pictures and autographs, so that's another good drawing card for all the kids."

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Cooper has seen a big jump in the team chemistry from last year, when the Tigers went 15-14 at home, to this season when they went 25-9 at Plainsman Park. He describes the team as well-balanced. They have clicked as an offensive unit as well as in pitching and defense, whereas the offense showed some promise last year, but they struggled to put things together on both sides of the ball.

He says where things seem to have changed the most to him, however, is that the players seem to have each other's backs and those leaders have stepped up and held each other accountable.

"I just think there's a lot of chemistry, and it might not have been there last year as much, but this year it's there," Cooper said. "You always say, 'I've got your back.' Well, these kids are like, 'If you don't get a base hit, I'm going to. I'm coming for you.' Or if the pitcher's up there having some problems, then they say, 'Just let them hit the ball, we're going to get it.'"

As for Cooper's predictions for the Tigers in Omaha, he believes this team is more than capable of getting to the final, and he wants it for this team in particular.

"You could see the smiles on their faces as they got on the bus yesterday like 'We're going to take care of business,'" Cooper said. "Well, if that's the case, we'll see them in the finals."

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The man behind the chants for Auburn baseball - The Auburn Plainsman

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All it took to make the most iconic Auburn baseball fan was an Auburn helmet from a Subway giveaway, a couple of chants and a lot of love for Auburn baseball. You probably know him as "Helmet Guy," and he's one of the main components of Plainsman Park year by year.

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Date: 06/06/2022

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You can delay it, but you can't stop the Tigers right now.

The Auburn baseball team has caught a spark at just the right time, and they defeated UCLA 11-4 on Monday after a series of weather delays to sweep their way through the Regionals and punch a ticket to its first Super Regional since 2018.

"Three out of the last four years the Auburn Tigers can say they are going to a super regional. That's a big deal," said head coach Butch Thompson. "We proved it to ourselves that we can absolutely play well in this setting... It was nice when you're at this stage, and you play your best baseball of the year as far as the series goes or a collection of games in these three games and I thought we did."

Batting fifth in a lineup that clicked throughout the Regional, senior Brody Moore was named the Regional MVP. He slashed a 8-for-15 line with a home run, six RBI, six runs scored and three walks in three games. Not to mention, he snagged a key double play to end a critical third inning comeback effort from Florida State.

"Growing up an Auburn fan, the history of my family and this school is really exciting and heartwarming that Auburn gets to witness and be a part of this," Moore said. "I think everybody in the locker room would say the same thing. We did this for Auburn."

The Montgomery native not only has a great impact on the field but has become one of Auburn's greatest leaders throughout the duration of the season.

"His dad was a coach and his dad played here. He's seen it his whole life," Thompson said. "It's really like having another coach on the field. That's the dimension that he brings, where he's helping the guy to his left and to his right."

With 40 runs combined, Auburn's offense carried them through the first two contests. However, it was the starting pitching that ensured a lopsided win against UCLA. While the offense had another explosive showing, scoring 11 runs on 10 hits. However, it was Auburn's lowest-scoring effort in the Regional, and starter Mason Barnett rose to the challenge and made himself a postseason star.

The junior right-hander has had his share of struggles this season, including his last start against Kentucky where he was tagged for four runs on five hits and two walks in 3.1 innings.

He changed the narrative on Sunday night, ducking and dodging Bruin bats for 10 Ks while only allowing four base runners on just a leadoff double and three walks in an outing that went 5.1 shutout innings that was shortened by a weather delay in the sixth inning. Despite the interruption, he earned the win and improved to 3-2 on the season.

After the rain suspended play on Sunday night and forced the game to pick back up on Monday afternoon, UCLA took advantage of Auburn going to its bullpen, but it wasn't enough.

When play resumed on Monday in the bottom of the sixth, UCLA took advantage of Auburn going to its bullpen and using two guys who haven't pitched the entire series. Carson Skipper looked to pick up where Barnett left off. While he did not keep the shutout, he gave Auburn 1.2 innings of work, giving up two runs on two hits and a pair of strikeouts to set the table for Blake Burkhalter.

Burkhalter finished out the game, going the final two innings, and after allowing two runs in the eighth inning, he shut things down and hurled a shutout ninth frame to end the game.

The team was able to keep their composure against UCLA in a frustrating game, not because of the score, but because of four weather delays and five Auburn batters hit by pitches. Instead of letting tempers flare, Auburn made the Bruins pay with dominant play.

The Tigers struck first for the third time in the Regional, pushing across two in the first inning and getting to starter James Hepp right off the bat.

Auburn scored one run on a single from Sonny DiChiara. After Bobby Pierce walked to be the fourth straight player to reach to start the contest, UCLA went to its bullpen and called on lefty Daniel Colwell.

Colwell put out the flames in the first, inducing three straight fly balls to end the threat, but not before Cole Foster tagged and came to the plate on Brooks Carlson's sacrifice fly to deep center field to make it 2-0.

Following up the strong first inning showing with two scoreless innings, Colwell acted as the only pitcher to tame Auburn's relentless bats in the Regional. Once he ran out of gas though, Auburn went back to work.

After Colwell walked two to begin the fourth inning, the Bruins turned to their third hurler of the game, right-handed freshman Luke Jewett. After he hit Foster to load the bases, the third Auburn batter hit by a pitch in the game, DiChiara made them pay for it by stinging a grounder off the mound and up over the shortstop into center field to make it 4-0.

Extending the lead to 5-0, Moore flexed his muscles, bombarding Jewell's first-pitch fastball for a solo homer for his eighth hit of the Regionals.

When Pierce was struck for the fifth hit batsmen of the game for the Tigers in the sixth, they once again answered back with runs. A double from Carlson scored DiChiara before Auburn reloaded the bases, and Nate LaRue cleared them with a double of his own to make it 9-0.

As if it was on cue, right as Barnett notched his 10th strikeout of the night, the rain returned, and this time it forced play to a halt for the night. At that point, the game was postponed to Monday afternoon, where the two teams resumed play in the bottom of the sixth inning. This cut Barnett's outing short on a day where he had some of the best stuff of the season.

"(The weather delay) was tough, especially when you know you're in a groove, feeling good and making pitches," Barnett said. "You've got to go with what you can control.. as long as we win it doesn't really matter."

When play resumed on Monday afternoon, UCLA got on the board first off of Skipper, who took over for Barnett, knocking in two runs on two hits, a walk and a wild pitch which set up a sacrifice fly for the Bruins.

The Bruins continued their improved play on Monday, as pinch hitter Jack Holman blasted a solo homer in the eighth inning off of Burkhalter to inch closer before an RBI single made it 9-4. The Bruins threatened to further the damage, getting runners on first and second, but Kason Howell turned on the jets and tracked down a fly ball in left-center that hung just a little too long to end the eighth inning.

The Tigers offense refused to be done, though, and they got the last punch in, pushing across two more insurance runs in the ninth on a Cole Foster sacrifice fly and a DiChiara single to set up Burkhalter to get the last three outs to seal Auburn's ninth consecutive Regional win.

DiChiara shined for Auburn against UCLA, going 3-for-4 in the game with two walks and four RBI. He was one of two Auburn players to record multi-hit performances, as Carlson also followed with two hits of his own, going 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run.

The offense has caught fire at the perfect time for the Tigers to start the postseason, as they tallied 51 runs over three games on 49 total hits. All three of their contests were double-digit scoring games, and they finished with a +33 run differential in the Auburn Regional.

Next, Auburn will have a chance to carry its hot streak into a Super Regional in a three-game series with the winner of No. 3 Oregon State and Vanderbilt. The team is already putting their names into the record books, clinching their first Super Regional since 2018, but with a Vanderbilt win over Oregon State, the Tigers will host their first ever Super Regional.

"It would be pretty sick to host a Super Regional, I'll tell you that, but I think everybody in the locker room is at a point where anyone we play, we'll bring it," DiChiara said.

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Auburns sweeps through Regionals, punches ticket to Super Regionals

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You can delay it, but you can't stop the Tigers right now. The Auburn baseball team has caught a spark at just the right time, and they defeated UCLA 11-4 on Monday after a series of weather delays to sweep their way through the Regionals and punch a ticket to its first Super Regional since 2018.

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AU goes off on FSU, advances to regional final

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AU goes off on FSU, advances to regional final

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6-05-22

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The Tigers continue to show out in the Regionals with their eighth straight Regional win in a blowout over Florida State, 21-7, to send them to the Regional Championship game.

Auburn proved the lopsided victory on Friday night was no fluke with another explosive offensive showing in front of a sold-out Plainsman Park. It now owns a +26 run differential in its two Regional contests.

"The guys won a significant game tonight to put us in a position to compete for a championship," said head coach Butch Thompson. "We had so many guys contributing in so many ways. Played amazing team offense, just played together for these two nights."

Looking to end Auburn's hot offensive streak, All-ACC Second Team southpaw Bryce Hubbart started strong for FSU, ending the first-inning threat with two strikeouts. However, Auburn battled in every at bat and fought off pitches, forcing Florida State to go to its bullpen after 2.1 innings.

"We didn't score in the first inning, but our approach was still the same," Thompson said. "I like our chances if we stay with that same approach."

A night after scoring a season-high 19 runs, the Tigers notched a new season high, racking up 21 runs on 19 hits. Brody Moore and Kason Howell led the team's offensive explosion, combining to go 9-for-10 including four doubles and a triple with four walks, driving in six runs combined.

Moore had a career night and a perfect scorecard. He went to the plate seven times and reached every time, the first player in program history to do so, going 5-for-5 with a double, triple and two walks while recording five RBI.

"Those games are fun when everybody's linking it up out there," Moore said. "It really helps us when we have a pitcher like Joseph [Gonzalez] out there getting outs."

This allowed starter Joseph Gonzalez to cruise and pitch to contact. That he did, going six strong innings of three-run ball on just three strikeouts and three hits. His only downfall was the walk, as all three of the runs he allowed reached on walks. He allowed four free passes in the game, and three of them were in the seventh inning before he was pulled from the game.

"(Gonzalez is) the kind of guy you want to play behind as a defender," Moore said. "He's really fast-tempo, and we know he's going to get ground balls and popups, so we have to stay on our toes. We know he's going to go out there and compete for us and give us a chance to win."

Followed by Carson Swilling and John Armstrong, Gonzalez allowed the bullpen to only work three innings. Auburn has gone without using key bullpen pieces like Blake Burkhalter, Carson Skipper and Chase Allsup thus far in Regional action.

The bullpen allowed four runs, but it didn't matter as Auburn continued to tack onto its lead, recording only two frames without scoring a run. Gonzalez earned his seventh win of the season, after his previous two starts were shortened by rain.

The team got off to a slower start than the 11-run outpour in the first inning against SE Louisiana, but they still got on the board and built a 3-1 lead after three innings. Despite stranding five runners to that point, a Mike Bello sacrifice fly and a Brooks Carlson two-run bomb gave Auburn another early advantage.

Auburn looked to extend the lead off of FSU reliever Conner Whittaker with a double from Howell down the left field line, but the relay beat Moore at home. It seemed as if the catcher blocked the plate, but after review, it was ruled that the catcher was in legal position and Moore's hand missed the plate on his head-first slide around the catcher. A strikeout then stranded Howell at second.

The bottom of the third inning is when FSU threatened to take the driver's seat. After Gonzalez walked the leadoff batter, Alex Toral doubled over Bobby Pierce's head in right field to knock in the Seminoles' first run of the game.

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With a runner on second and no outs, catcher Nate LaRue got a much-needed first out for Auburn. Throwing behind Toral, he caught the runner off guard and forced Toral to scramble for third, where Blake Rambusch took the tag and got the first out.

From there, Gonzalez walked two more, and FSU was back in business. However, the threat was short-lived, as Moore snagged a hot shot right at him at short stop and tossed the ball to second for a double play to get the runner cheating off the bag for the third out.

"That (double play) was a big out," Gonzalez said. "I trust my defense a lot. That's why I can throw so many strikes and feel comfortable on the mound."

After two replay reviews went the Seminole's way in the first three innings, Auburn had an offensive explosion again in the fourth. Much like Friday's first inning, Auburn sent 14 hitters to the plate and pushed across seven runs. Although Auburn did its job and strung together five hits, FSU helped the Tigers out by handing out four free passes and making a pair of errors.

When Moore continued his hot hitting with a triple in the fifth, he extended Auburn's lead to 10 runs with an 11-1 lead. He drove in runs in both the seventh and eighth innings as well, along with a bases-loaded walk from LaRue, RBI fielder's choice knock from Bello and a bases-loaded HBP from Cole Foster made it 16-7 after eight innings.

Going into the ninth inning at 16 runs, Auburn launched two more homers, with Sonny DiChiara's 20th of the season and Cam Hill's first before a Bryson Ware triple scored a pair to get to a season-best 21 runs. Armstrong got the final three outs to end the game, and Auburn built on its 12-run victory in game one with a 14-run advantage over FSU.

With two lopsided wins, Auburn (39-19) is yet to use some of its key bullpen pieces, but it is also still yet to compete in a tight game in the Regionals, something Thompson said the team knows will happen.

Next up, Auburn will play again at 6 p.m. CST on Sunday against the winner of UCLA and FSU. Entering the championship undefeated, Auburn will now have to lose twice in a row to be eliminated from the Regional.

"We won't know who we're going to compete against until we get started in our pregame, so that's going to be a big challenge for us tomorrow whether it's Florida State or UCLA," Thompson said. "We'll have to wait a while to figure that out. Thankful for the significance of the standpoint we're at. "

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Auburn sets single-game scoring record, advances to Regional Championship Game - The Auburn Plainsman

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Auburn earned a blowout win over Florida State to advance to the Regional Championship game.

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6/04/22

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Auburn baseball was pumped up to host its first NCAA Regional in 12 years, and it proved it on Friday night with an explosive 19-4 win in its opening game over SE Louisiana.

In its season-high scoring effort (Auburn also scored 19 in a win over Ole Miss), every player contributed. All nine of the starters reached base, and only Kason Howell didn't get a base hit, although he reached twice on a walk and a hit by pitch and scored once. The team got a season-best 20 hits.

Six Auburn hitters notched multi-hit games, including three players: Blake Rambusch, Sonny DiChiara and Mike Bello, had three knocks. However, it was Cole Foster, who was making his return from an oblique injury, that led the club with four hits that all were extra-base hits. Nate LaRue and Brody Moore also had two hits a piece.

"Great night for us," said head coach Butch Thompson. "Everybody contributed from top to bottom... We've been looking for that. When you see them invest in something and then get rewarded for it, that's a good feeling."

The long ball was a frequent event for Auburn, as it blasted a program record-tying seven long balls in the game, and the pitchers fed off of the offensive energy and struck out 14 Lions.

"We stood in there and battled," Thompson said. "Power to all fields showed up tonight... It started off with Rambusch getting a hit with two strikes, and he just passed it down from there."

What. A. Night. ?

Same time tomorrow, Auburn Family?#WarEagle
- Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) June 4, 2022

The crowd showed up to Plainsman Park in bunches, but some not fast enough, as Auburn got off to an 11-0 advantage after just one inning. In fact, the Tigers compiled six hits and sent nine batters to the plate before an out was recorded on a sacrifice fly from Bello.

The Tigers weren't done there. The team batted around and sent 14 hitters in the first inning alone. They recorded eight hits and four home runs in the first inning for the first time since 2010, and Foster, who made his return to the lineup at second base after a seven-game absence, was at the head of it.

The switch hitter slugged not one homer but two in the home first and tallied six RBI in just one frame. At second in the order, Foster launched a no-doubt moonshot over the Green Monster from the right side to put Auburn up 2-0, but after a pitching change, Foster was forced to go to the left-handed batter's box in his next at bat.

It was no problem for Foster. He launched one over the right field fence that time for a grand slam to extend Auburn's lead to double digits.

Also joining the dinger party in the first was Bobby Pierce after DiChiara's single, making it 4-0. Next time DiChiara came up, he was following Foster's bases-clearing dinger, and he did it with style. Capping off Auburn's monstrous inning, DiChiara went back-to-back with Foster to the opposite field for his 19th home run of the season.

With such a demanding lead, the pressure was off of starter Trace Bright, but he was sharp nonetheless. He improved his record to 4-4, going five solid innings and striking out 10 while allowing four runs on six hits and two walks.

While Bright kept working, the bats kept producing. The Tigers scored eight more runs after the first inning on 12more hits.

"It's comforting to have 11 runs in the first inning," Bright said. "Kudos to Cole [Foster] and everybody else up and down the lineup. You've still got to stay locked in and stay focused. You've still got to treat it like a 0-0 ballgame."

Alongside Foster, LaRue also managed a multi-homer night with two towering long balls. His first extended Auburn's lead back to 11 in the second inning, and his second sent the crowd "oohing" and "aching" as a ball that seemed to defy gravity went a mile high and landed somewhere on the other side of the Green Monster in the sixth inning to put Auburn up 17-4.

On the topic of multi-homer games, Foster wasn't done hitting bombs after the first inning. He hit his third of the night with a three-run shot, again from the left side in the bottom of the fourth. This gave Foster nine RBI in just three swings of the bat.

"It's awesome, and it's a great feeling," Foster said. "I'm just glad we came out on top."

Relieving Bright was sophomore southpaw Konner Copeland. He had a 13-run advantage to work with and little pressure, but he still pitched like the game was on the line in his first collegiate postseason appearance. He was scoreless through his first two innings while only throwing 24 pitches, allowing Thompson to go to him again in the eighth inning.

He got into a jam in the eighth, but with a 17-4 lead, Thompson had the privilege of letting Copeland try to work out of it himself. However, after a two-out, bases-loaded double that allowed Copeland's third run of the inning, Thompson turned to senior Brooks Fuller.

Fuller walked his first batter, reloading the bases, but he struck out the next batter to end the inning and send the game to the bottom of the eighth with a 17-7 score.

Auburn then boasted a 10-run lead with only three outs to get for the win, but the offense didn't let up.

After senior Garrett Farquhar led off the inning with a walk after entering the game at third base for Rambusch in the previous frame, Foster nearly hit his fourth homer of the day, but the Green Monster was too tall this time, and it bounced off for a double. With runners then on second and third, DiChiara hit an RBI groundout, and Cam Hill knocked an RBI single into right field before SE Louisiana got the final out.

Returning to the mound for the ninth inning, Fuller recorded a three-up-three-down frame to finish the night with a 12-run win.

Next on the schedule, Auburn (38-19) will meet No. 3 seed Florida State (34-23) in the winner's bracket of the Auburn Regional on Saturday at 6 p.m. CST. The winner of that game will advance straight to the Regional Championship, while the loser will play the winner of UCLA and SE Louisiana in an elimination game.

With Auburn projected to finish last in the SEC West in 2022 and having not hosted a Regional since 2010, fans were eager for the opportunity to cheer on the Tigers in Plainsman Park to start the postseason. Fans filled Tiger Terrace down the left field line, packed out the section behind the right-center field fence and even filled each level of the parking deck.

This is a trend that Auburn looks to continue into the tournament, as Thompson warns that even with the big win against SE Louisiana, Saturday's game brings "different circumstances."

"Everybody's worked during our tenure here for seven years to create a night like that in our ballpark," Thompson said. "This is a tough tournament. Regionally, we're the ones hosting, and that's called a great opportunity."

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Auburn bats scorch SE Louisiana in blowout win to start Regionals - The Auburn Plainsman

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Auburn comes out hot, blowing out SE Louisiana to advance to the winner's bracket of the Auburn Regional.

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AU baseball players named to ALL-SEC teams

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AU baseball players named to ALL-SEC teams

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5/23/22

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Originally predicted to finish last in the SEC West, a trio of Auburn teammates overachieved for the baseball team this season, earning them All-SEC honors, the league office announced on Monday.

Among the three, first baseman Sonny DiChiara was not only chosen for First Team All-SEC, but he was tabbed as a SEC Co-Player of the Year. No. 17 is just the third Auburn player to ever win the league's highest award, being placed beside the likes of Tim Hudson (1997) and Hunter Morris (2010).

The awards just won't stop rolling in for the senior transfer from Samford, and he has been named as a semifinalist for college baseball's most prestigious award, the Dick Howser Trophy .

This comes as a result of leading the conference in on-base percentage (.561) and slugging percentage (.782), while ranking second in the league in batting average (.382). His patience at the plate plays a big factor into this, as he drew the most walks in the country this season and the second most ever in program history with 62.

Not only is the native of Hoover, Alabama one of the best hitters in the conference, but his numbers put him among the best in the nation. His OBP is the best in the country, and his slugging percentage ranks fifth in the nation. He is also tied for third in career home runs (58) among active Division 1 players, with 17 dingers coming this season, tied with Edward Julien for the most by an Auburn player since 2010.

Earning All-SEC Second Team honors, Auburn closer Blake Burkhalter is the first Auburn reliever to join a first or second team honors since John Madden in 2005. The junior pitcher also put himself among the best in the conference and the nation, as his 13 saves are three more than any other pitcher in the SEC and matches the best total among Power Five pitchers.

Burkhalter was not an ordinary closer. He entered the game in a variety of situations, and got the Tigers out of many daunting situations this season prior to the ninth inning. He also worked for multiple innings in the majority of his team-leading 25 appearances.

When he entered the game, it was good news for Auburn. He earned a win or a save in 17 of his 25 outings, and finished the season with a 4-1 record to go alongside his 13 saves. He also had a 3.44 ERA and 55 Ks, giving up runs in just eight of his appearances on the season.

Last but not least, redshirt junior Blake Rambusch was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. In his first season with the Tigers after transferring. in from junior college, the Texas native was one of two players to start every contest of the season. 51 of his starts came from the hot corner at third base, despite starting the season in right field where he got his other four starts.

One of the most reliable players in the nation, Rambusch recorded a .964 fielding percentage and initiated 12 of the club's 44 double plays.

While only getting a defensive honor, the leadoff hitter showed off his skills from both sides of play this year, turning in a .351 batting average after leading Grayson College with a .444 average in his sophomore year. He made teams pay when he got on base, too. While racking up a league-best 80 base hits, he also tied for third in the league with 16 stolen bases.

With the help of these three, Auburn started the season unranked and projected to finish at the bottom of its division, and ended things ranked No. 20 after getting inside the top 20 several times throughout the year. It finishes the campaign at 37-18 and 16-13 in SEC play and will begin its postseason run as the SEC Tournament as the No. 5 seed against Kentucky on Tuesday night in Hoover.

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Strong season earns trio of Auburn baseball teammates All-SEC honors - The Auburn Plainsman

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Three Auburn baseball players earned All-SEC honors.

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Auburn softball loses in Regionals to end its season

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Auburn softball loses in Regionals to end its season

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05/22/2022

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Auburn lived by the home run on Friday against Louisiana and died by it on Saturday night in a rematch with the Ragin' Cajuns.

In Saturday night's Clemson Regional elimination game, Louisiana smacked three long balls off of Shelby Lowe and KK Dismukes, and Auburn lost 4-2, ending its 2022 season.

"They battled and fought to the end," said head coach Mickey Dean. "I told them before we even started the day, 'good teams quit, and good teams fight on,' and they fought... You can't always dictate the end result. All you can do is battle, and they battled."

Auburn attempted to mount a comeback in the seventh inning, but it fell just short. Entering the inning down by two, a Bri Ellis fly ball fell just short of a home run, and although a run tagged up to score, Jesse Blaine had a similar fate in the next at-bat, as her line drive was caught on the warning track for the third out. The tying run was stranded on second, and Auburn's season came to a close.

Auburn struck first, but after going up 2-0 in the second inning the offense disappeared, and Louisiana scored four consecutive runs to earn the win. Louisiana will go on to face Clemson in the Regional Championship on Sunday.

In the first, Nelia Peralta got the Tigers out to a strong start with an RBI single, and Jesse Blaine kept it going with a sacrifice fly in the second to make it 2-0.

From there, the Auburn bats shut off, and Louisiana found its power stroke.

With Maddie Penta coming off of 200+ pitches in the last day and a half, Auburn started Shelby Lowe on the mound. She had a strong start with a scoreless first inning, but a solo home run in the second and third innings ended her outing.

With a tied score, KK Dismukes then relieved Lowe and had a similar fate to Lowe. She had a sharp fourth inning, but the Ragin' Cajuns got to her and broke the tie in the fifth inning with a two-run homer after the leadoff batter reached on an error by Peralta at shortstop.

Lowe and Dismukes pitched three innings a piece, and they each surrendered two runs. However, only one of Dismukes' runs were earned. Lowe got four Ks, allowed four hits and no walks. Dismukes struck out one and walked one while giving up two hits.

After getting just two hits from the second inning to the sixth inning and scoring none, Auburn made a late offensive scramble in the seventh inning, looking to extend its season. When Kelsey Schmidt got things started with a double, a comeback seemed possible.

Then, with one out, Carlee McCondichie lined one back up the middle. The center fielder, who was playing shallow, jumped to make the catch, but the ball deflected off of her glove. Schmidt moved to third and McCondichie stood on second, representing the tying run.

Bri Ellis, who hit two home runs against Louisiana a day before, stepped up next, and hit a long fly ball to left field that was caught just shy of the wall for the second out. Although this allowed Schmidt to tag up and score easily, this represented the second out and left no margin of error for the Tigers.

With the tying run still standing on second, Jesse Blaine came to the plate. She had already launched a walk-off homer earlier this season against South Carolina, and she almost hit another timely dinger. She put a charge into one, but this time it fell just shy of the wall into the outstretched glove of the left fielder.

Auburn suffered its second one-run loss of the day, and it outhit its opponent in both games. In this one, Auburn notched seven hits to Louisiana's six, but Auburn stranded seven runners as opposed to Louisiana's two.

"The biggest difference in the game is that our extra-base hits were doubles, and theirs were home runs," Dean said.

Auburn's lone error also proved to be costly. A ground ball that ate up Peralta at shortstop to start the fifth inning came in to score on the Ragin' Cajuns homer, and that one run proved to be the difference in the game.

Both with multi-hit games, Auburn freshman Peralta and sophomore Schmidt showed why Auburn has a lot to look forward to in the coming years. Peralta went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Schmidt went a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

"My playing time was lessened this year, so my role this year was to be a good teammate and when I got my chance to do something with it," Schmidt said. "This year was eye opening for me, and I think being a good teammate (is important), but when you get your chance you need to do something with it as well."

With eight freshman on its roster, Auburn was the SEC's youngest team in 2022, and it won 13 more games overall than it did in 2021 and four more conference games. It also improved dramatically on offense, batting .299 while hitting 86 home runs as a club, opposed to hitting .242 with 22 home runs in 2021. The Tigers' .557 slugging percentage stands as the second best in program history, while its home run total is third in program history.

"Our job as coaches is to prepare them, and it's difficult to prepare freshman for the postseason until they've experienced it," Dean said. "A lot of our upperclassmen hadn't experienced a great deal of success in the postseason, so why (getting experience) is important... We fell short of our goal, but that's only going to make us stronger."

The early elimination in the NCAA Regionals is a tough way to end its first 40-win season since 2018, but there is no reason to worry about the young Tigers. This postseason run gave Auburn a lot of invaluable experience that it will take to next season.

"There is a lot of strength in this team and a lot to look forward to," Dean said. "It is a bright future. I am proud of this team. We are only going to get better.”

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Auburn’s comeback falls short in season-ending Regional loss to Louisiana

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Auburn’s season came to an end after its comeback falls short against Louisiana in the elimination game of the Clemson Regional.

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Auburn baseball beats Vandy, Thompson notches 200th win

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Auburn baseball beats Vandy, Thompson notches 200th win

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Date: 4/09/2022

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Thompson notches 200th win as Auburn powers past Vanderbilt

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Auburn defeats Vanderbilt 5-1 to notch head coach Butch Thompson’s 200th win with the Tigers.

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Date: 2/12/2022

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On Friday night, No. 6 Auburn defeated No. 9 Missouri by a score of 197.575 to 196.275 in its second consecutive top-10 matchup. The meet marks the third straight sell-out crowd in Auburn Arena for gymnastics meets this year.

"Overall, very happy and really liked [Auburn's] fight and determination, but we need to clean up in some areas," said head coach Jeff Graba.

It was a night full of individual career-highs for Auburn, including five career bests.

The highest individual score was a 9.975 on beam by Gabby McLaughlin, but she received a perfect 10 from one judge after the performance.

"[McLaughlin] was off in her warm-up, but the fact that she not only let that not get to her, but also perform one of her best routines ever, is incredible and says a lot about her as an athlete," said junior Cassie Stevens.

Freshman Olympic Gold Medalist Sunisa Lee was the meet's all-around leading performer, with a total score of 39.575. This score is just shy of her 39.825 score that got her recognized as SEC Gymnast of the Week last week.

As a whole, the team fell just short of its highest score in program history, 197.975, which it posted last week versus LSU. It did however stand out on beam, as it recorded the school's program record with a 49.625 in the event.

"I'm really pleased with their cohesion," Graba said. "We switched the lineup, putting Piper (Smith) in, and that could cause problems with your confidence if you're not staying focused, so I think they handled it really well, and we're that good of a beam squad. I guess I should say I'm not surprised."

Auburn competed without its star junior Aria Brusch in the meet.

"This is the time of year we've learned we need to rest Aria because we push her pretty hard," Graba said. "It just happens she was dinged up about the time we were going to rest her anyway. Not a surprise, she'll be back in a week or two."

Auburn started out the meet on vault, where it posted a 49.325 score. It was led by Drew Watson, who had a 9.925-score performance. Auburn came out of the first rotation with an early .175-point advantage.

It followed up on bars where Auburn excelled once again.

Auburn had two consecutive individual season-highs by Adeline Sabados with a 9.825 score, and Stevens with a 9.85. Lee closed out the second rotation for Auburn with a 9.9, following her perfect 10 on bars last week.

Heading into the third rotation, Auburn lead by .475 with a score of 98.550 to 98.075.

The Tigers in orange and blue headed to beam for the third rotation, where it posted a program record 49.625. The team was led by McLaughlin, who put up her career-best in the event with a 9.975. Then, Stevens built on that with her own career-best 9.95.

"You see the person in front of you sticking it and nailing it, and it makes you excited," Stevens said. "It's almost like 'Beat that.' You're setting each other up for the ends of lineups to really knock it out of the park."

Stellar performances on beam also included Piper Smith, who tied her career best with a 9.9, and Lee, who posted her second straight 9.9 of the night.

Lastly, Auburn performed on floor.

Last weeks SEC Freshman of the Week Sophia Groth recorded yet another personal best with a 9.925. Gobourne ended the night for Auburn with a 9.875 to secure the win.

With the victory, Auburn improved to 6-1 and 3-0 in Auburn Arena this season. The Tigers travel to Athens next Friday to face Georgia at 6:30 p.m. CST.

"We know we can get mid-to-high 197's, it's just focusing on the little things we do day in and day out," Stevens said. "I think we've done a really good job this season, and [I'm happy with] where we are now. I think the next thing for us is just taking it to the next level."

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Auburn wins another top 10 gymnastics matchup behind third straight sold out crowd

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On Friday night, No. 6 Auburn defeated No. 9 Missouri by a score of 197.575 to 196.275 in its second consecutive top-10 matchup. The meet marks the third straight sell-out crowd in Auburn Arena for gymnastics meets this year.

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Wheelchair basketball team hopes for big fan turnout in last home game of season

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Wheelchair basketball team hopes for big fan turnout in last home game of season

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Date: 1/22/2022

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Hoops on The Plains is not over after Auburn faces Kentucky in Auburn Arena on Saturday. At 3 p.m., head coach Robb Taylor and the Tigers' wheelchair basketball squad is set to take on rival Alabama, and they want to see plenty of orange and blue in the stands of Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum for what they consider their biggest game of the season.

The wheelchair basketball team loves and thrives on fan support. Auburn fans' cheers bring excitement to the team and give the players a sense of pride.

"Just that feeling of support is amazing, having the Auburn Family behind you," said No. 10 Luke Robinson. "Going into a game and seeing all those people who want to see you succeed that much gives us that much more confidence and energy to win for them."

Alabama is Auburn's final opponent of this weekend's tournament, which is the last home tournament of the season for the Tigers. The Tigers faced the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Illinois on Friday afternoon, and they have a rematch against UW-Whitewater on Saturday at 11 a.m. before squaring up with the Crimson Tide in the afternoon.

"As a school, we want to be better than Alabama in everything," said assistant coach Zach Dickey. "There's a quote that says, 'Alabama fans love Alabama football, but Auburn fans love Auburn.' This is what Auburn is about, having the Auburn Family behind your back in everything."

The wheelchair basketball program hopes to replicate what head coach Bruce Pearl and the Auburn men's standing basketball team are doing. There has been unrelenting support for Pearl's team this season.

Students began to line up in tents on Friday morning in 30-degree weather in anticipation of the game versus Kentucky on Saturday. Auburn Arena expects a sold-out crowd for that game. Everyone is aware of what's going on with Pearl and the No. 2 men's hoops team, and the fan base is as engaged as ever.

This kind of dedication and love is what the wheelchair basketball team wants to see from fans for them.

"Auburn loves basketball," Dickey said. "You can see the culture growing around coach Pearl's team. These guys [on our team] are working hard. We deserve support just as much as anybody else."

Auburn's student section, referred to as The Jungle, has set a standard for college basketball fan environments. The crowd's relentless noise and energy make Auburn Arena a tough environment for opposing teams. For this reason, Auburn has one of the biggest home-court advantages in college basketball.

The wheelchair hoops team, with help from the fans, hopes to boast a home-court advantage of their own.

"We play in a coliseum that holds 10,000 people, which is not something that many of our opponents see in many of their games. We have the potential to have a huge home-court advantage," Dickey said. "We're in the same place that Charles Barkley used to play in. It's a special place to play."

The wheelchair basketball team wants that energy from The Jungle in the arena to carry over to their team. They feed off crowd noise just like any other basketball team, and more fans in the stands means the players feel more at home.

"I love to see fans come and bring the energy," Robinson said. "We feed off that as players. You hit a shot and the crowd starts going crazy and it brings the energy into the next play and keeps the momentum going the whole game."

Wheelchair basketball abides by rules similar to standing basketball, but the style of play is a unique experience for a first-time fan.

"There are a lot of people who have never seen a wheelchair basketball game. Who wouldn't want to go out and witness a new sport?" Dickey said.

Dickey even compares the makeup of his team to that of Pearl's squad.

"I feel like we, as a team, are very similar to what Bruce Pearl's team brings," Dickey said. "We have a great sixth-year head coach in Robb Taylor who has coached for Team USA's wheelchair basketball team in the Paralympics. We have guys who push the ball up the floor quickly and are hard to stop. We're a program on the rise."

After the Tigers play Kentucky in Auburn Arena, Robinson and the team hope fans make the trip to Beard-Eaves Coliseum to cheer on the wheelchair squad as they take on the Crimson Tide.

"The Iron Bowl is always our biggest game of the year," Robinson said. "It will be fun."

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Wheelchair basketball team hopes for big fan showing against Alabama on Saturday

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Hoops on The Plains is not over after Auburn faces Kentucky in Auburn Arena on Saturday. At 3 p.m., head coach Robb Taylor and the Tigers' wheelchair basketball squad is set to take on rival Alabama, and they want to see plenty of orange and blue in the stands of Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum for what they consider their biggest game of the season.

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Date: 2/05/2022

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ATHENS, Ga. - The No. 1 Auburn Tigers completed a season sweep of their rival, the Georgia Bulldogs, by squeezing by in a 74-72 victory in Athens on Saturday. They push their winning streak to 19 and improve to 22-1 on the season.

The team competed in the game without starting guard Zep Jasper, who was out due to an illness. This brought guard Wendell Green Jr. into the starting five, and increased the playing time of guard Preston Cook.

"We needed to make us some big plays to win this game," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "We were shorthanded on Zep today, so we didn't have our whole team. So, we had to do a couple more things for our team and step up in this place."

Normally, Green is a key player off the bench, but he finished with 38 minutes, almost 11 more than the 25 he averages.

"It's a different rhythm... I missed having Zep out there and sharing minutes with him," Green said. "A few of my shots came up short late in the game (due to fatigue)."

Jabari Smith and Wendell Green Jr. knocked in two consecutive threes to start the game, but the deep game faltered from there. The Tigers finished 6-for-26 on 3-point shots (23.1%).

Green and K.D. Johnson combined for 27 first-half points, with 15 and 12, respectively. The duo also saw the floor more than anybody. Green played for 18 first-half minutes, while Johnson was active for 16 minutes in his former home of Stegeman Coliseum.

Confidently, Auburn trotted into the locker room for halftime with a 42-30 lead. It looked dominant, as Georgia went the last 3:11 without a bucket.

After Auburn led for 18:32 in the first half, and the other 1:28 was an even score, Georgia came out scorching hot in the second half and threatened to take the lead. An 11-0 scoring run left Georgia within one with 15:13 left.

When Georgia's Noah Bauman hit a corner three, it was a tie game for the first time in the second half with 10:56 remaining on the clock. The lead was short-lived, as Preston Cook immediately hit Johnson for a lay-up to knot it up once again at 58.

A few back-and-forth buckets followed before Green bobbled the ball and went up for the go-ahead two-point score with 3.3 seconds left in the contest. This bucket turned out to be the deciding basket, as Georgia was not able with a score of its own on a desperation lob from mid-court.

The Auburn squad made frequent substitutions throughout the opening half. 10 different players saw playing time in the game. Against Georgia, the last team in the conference, the Tigers sought to rest starters in preparation for a busy month of February.

As the game got close in the second half, Auburn was forced to keep its starters on the floor. It ended up having three guys play over 30 minutes in Green, Johnson and Smith. Kessler followed with 29 minutes and Allen Flanigan behind him with 25.

Johnson led the Tigers in scoring with 20 points, adding four rebounds and two steals. The combination of him and Green Jr., who tallied 19 points, accounted for more than half of the scoring effort.

"It felt okay [to put up 20 on my former team.] I wanted the team to play a lot better, but we came in and got the win in a tough Georgia stadium, so I'm feeling okay about that," Johnson said.

It was another tough game offensively from Auburn's star freshman Smith. He only put up seven shots and made just two of them for seven points. No. 10 still helped his team with six rebounds, an assist, block and steal.

Walker Kessler also notably did not have one of his better games offensively. He finished with 10 points on only seven total shots.

"I'm not sure any of our guys would feel like this was one of our better games," Pearl said. "We got it done."

However, Kessler had a big impact down the stretch with his defensive effort. He swatted four blocks, one of which was on a Georgia 3-pointer in the closing minutes of second half.

His nine-rebound effort led the team to a 46-35 advantage in rebounding as well.

"[Kessler was] very big," Pearl said. "There was a couple shots we missed, and he came up with half of them -- I'm not quite sure what rebounds he ended with, but he played a big part in that. He got rebounds and finished right back."

Auburn, the nation's leader in blocks with 8.1 per game, added nine more in the game.

Once again, the team pulled out a hard-fought win on the road after being down late in the game, when its players did not have a hot shooting performance.

Auburn stays undefeated in conference play with the narrow victory over Georgia in a game in which it was a 16.5-point favorite.

"I believe we're becoming a great team," said Pearl. "We're comfortable with any situation. We've been down multiple times; we go through this quite often playing on the road. Us just talking to each other, saying it's going to come, it's going to come, we're going to get fouls and get shots. Just muscle through and get the W."

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Auburn comes out on top in tight finish against Georgia

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ATHENS, Ga. - The No. 1 Auburn Tigers completed a season sweep of their rival, the Georgia Bulldogs, by squeezing by in a 74-72 victory in Athens on Saturday. They push their winning streak to 19 and improve to 22-1 on the season.

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Auburn versus Mississippi State Women's basketball preview

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Auburn versus Mississippi State Women's basketball preview

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Date: 2/03/2022

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After a busy month of January in which the team hit the court nine times, Auburn women's basketball (9-11, 1-8 SEC) looks to rebound from a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt on the road in a matchup with Mississippi State (13-7, 4-4 SEC) on Thursday.

The Tigers have had a roller coaster of a week last week. They went 1-2 in three contests, but the third was their first conference win of the season under first-year head coach Johnnie Harris. They triumphed over the No. 4-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols in a dominating fourth-quarter effort that left Auburn 10-point favorites in Auburn Arena.

Riding high after a historic victory over Tennessee, Auburn started out flat against unranked Vanderbilt on Sunday in Nashville and could not recover. It opened the game with only nine points in the first quarter, opposed to Vanderbilt's 22. The Commodores outscored the Tigers again in the second frame, 24-12.

Despite a strong second-half effort and a 21-point game from Aicha Coulibaly, Auburn dug itself an unsurmountable hole in the first half, and it fell 81-66.

Both times the Tigers have earned victories over ranked opponents this season, they have lost the next game. Back in November, Auburn followed its win over then-No. 18 Georgia Tech with a loss to Little Rock.

Led by Coulibaly, the fourth-leading scorer in the SEC with 18.3 points per contest, Auburn hopes to get back on track in this game and mount its 10th win of the campaign, doubling the win total last season.

On the other side of the matchup, Mississippi State has won its past two contests. Most recently, a 78-58 victory over Texas A&M on Sunday.

In the game, the team's leading scorer took control. Senior guard Anastasia Hayes, who is fifth overall in the SEC with 18.3 a game, mustered 22 points and seven assists against the Aggies.

Hayes was forced to take the reigns for the Bulldogs when the team's former leading scorer, Rickea Jackson announced her decision to transfer from the program on Monday for "mental health reasons," her mother said in a text message to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger.

The forward was second in the conference through 15 games this season, averaging 20.3 points a game. She brought a significant presence to the Bulldogs inside, as she also brought in 6.8 rebounds per contest.

Thus far, the team has fared well without Jackson. It has won both of its matchups without her, including wins over Missouri last Thursday and Texas A&M on Sunday.

The conference leader in assists and runner-up in steals also belongs to Mississippi State in guard Myah Taylor. She records an average of 5.7 assists per game and 3.1 steals a game.

The Bulldogs are 2-5 away from Starkville this season, with their only road wins coming against UT-Martin and Alabama.

The two teams match up evenly on paper. Auburn scores 64.5 points a contest, and Mississippi State allows 64.4 a game. Auburn holds a 7-1 record when surpassing the 64-point mark this season.

Mississippi State puts up 72.1 points per game, which is almost 10 points higher than the 62.1 Auburn surrenders a game.

This matchup features two teams that like to score inside, as both teams rank in the bottom three in the SEC in 3-point field goal percentage. Although, Mississippi State attempts the fourth-most threes in the conference.

Recently, Caterrion Thompson has caught fire from beyond the arc for the Bulldogs, as she has been promoted to a starting role following Jackson's departure. The senior has thrived in the starting five, going 14-for-22 on 3-pointers in her previous three games. She has amassed 35 points combined in those games.

The loss of Jackson, who is 6-foot-2, might lead to an increased threat from the perimeter for the Bulldogs.

The SEC West matchup between the Tigers and Bulldogs tips off at 7 p.m. CST on Thursday in Auburn Arena. The game can be viewed on SEC Network+ and heard on Auburn Sports Network.

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Double-digit win season up for grabs versus Mississippi State

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After a busy month of January in which the team hit the court nine times, Auburn women's basketball (9-11, 1-8 SEC) looks to rebound from a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt on the road in a matchup with Mississippi State (13-7, 4-4 SEC) on Thursday. The Tigers have had a roller coaster of a week last week.

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Date: 2/1/2022

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Auburn claimed many great additions to its basketball roster before this season. Most of them were highly touted transfer prospects like Walker Kessler, coming in from North Carolina, or K.D. Johnson, who left the Georgia basketball program after his freshman year to join Auburn.

Then, there's 5-star incoming freshman Jabari Smith, who came into Auburn as the top-rated prospect in the state of Georgia.

As the others claimed all the pre-season hype, one transfer pickup flew under the radar, but his performance has elevated this Tiger team to another level. That is Wendell Green Jr.

Now the beloved Auburn star is known as "Logo Wen," Green began the season as a name on the roster many fans were unfamiliar with.

Originating from Detroit, Michigan, Green attended La Lumiere high school in Indiana and led his team to a National Title appearance in 2019.

Green was not recruited by any SEC teams out of high school. He was a 3-star point guard and rated as the 16th best point guard in his class by 247Sports. He spent his freshman season at Eastern Kentucky, which he chose instead of TCU, Depaul, Akron and Rhode Island, most notably.

After his freshman season at EKU, Green caught Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl's attention after he was chosen to the OVC All-Conference team and All-Newcomer team. The 5-foot-11 guard chose to make the move to Auburn following his freshman season and has been instrumental, while overlooked, part of Auburn's climb to its No. 1 ranking.

"Just the history of smaller guards that came through," Green said on why he chose Auburn. "Sharife Cooper, Jared Harper [and more.] Just knowing that I play similar to some of those guys and it was the right system. The love that [coach Bruce Pearl] showed me in the transfer portal, it was like none other."

Green put Auburn fans on notice in the Tiger's season opener versus Morehead State, a team he faced three times in his season at EKU. He knocked down Auburn's first 3-pointer of the season from the corner before splashing two more deep balls in the game en route to leading the team in scoring with 19 points and adding five rebounds and three assists.

This season, he averages 12.1 points, 4.9 assists, 1.6 steals and shoots the three with 33.9% efficiency on the season. He is now on the watchlist for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, given to the top point guard in college basketball.

The sophomore guard has done all this while coming off the bench in 18 of 21 games this season.

Auburn PG Wendell Green Jr. is shooting 41.7% on 3-point attempts from *longer than 30 feet out* this season

by comparison: "long-distance 3s" are only (lol) 25-30 feet, and he's 35.2% on those

absurd pic.twitter.com/LpczTZvdru
- Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) January 13, 2022

Green has continued to wow fans with his incredible range and playmaking ability, which have drawn him comparisons to NBA guards Stephen Curry and Trae Young, who were both college stars that stretched the floor with their ability to drain deep shots.

Green has earned the name "Logo Wen" after hitting 3's from way beyond the arch, sometimes even while standing on or near the home team's logo, which stretches just beyond each side of midcourt. He has caught the attention of fans as a player coming off the bench by hitting shots that other players wouldn't consider putting up.

Most famously, he splashed a shot from just beyond midcourt, just barely beating the shot clock in the second half against Murray State and causing the crowd to erupt.

"When it went in, I was shocked just like everybody else," Green said.

Green has not shied away from the big stage, either. Though he came in with a lot of talent in front of him, he has earned his minutes on the floor. Prior to the season, Pearl said senior Zep Jasper was most likely to start at point guard.

This did not stop or discourage Wendell, who spoke on the competitiveness within the team early in the season after the win versus South Carolina.

"We all [himself, K.D. Johnson and Zep Jasper] came in the middle of June and we didn't really know each other so we were really going at it then, and we pushed each other," Green said. "Now we're playing together and it's fun, practices are crazy. It's kind of lightened up now that we're in the season, but we all respect each other and we go out there and play well together."

In one of the team's most memorable wins this season against Alabama, he dribbled from side to side before stepping back and converting on two deep threes in the Tiger's four-point victory against Alabama on the road.

When he decides he's going to shoot, he does not shy away, and when he gets an open shot, he fires away no matter where he is on the court.

Also, when he hits one, his opponent better be ready for him to fire another. He has attempted at least three 3-pointers in every game this season with a season-high of 10 attempts versus Alabama. He has converted on at least one attempt in every match except the third game of the season against USF.

Although other newcomers to Auburn basketball have made huge contributions to the team as well, bringing in well-deserved hype, Wendell Green Jr. has been the Tiger's unforeseen star and adds a unique skillset that pushes the team to another level.

Green has shown confidence in himself and the Tigers from the beginning of the season.

"I think we can be great," Green said after the season opener versus Morehead State. "One of the best teams in the nation."

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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How transfer guard Wendell Green Jr. became 'Logo Wen'

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Sophomore guard Wendell Green Jr. came into Auburn as a transfer pickup who was overshadowed by the other Auburn newcomers. Midway through his first season as a Tiger, he has become a fan favorite. His ability to knock down the long ball has earned him the name "Logo Wen."

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Auburn defeats Oklahoma in Big 12/SEC Challenge

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Auburn defeats Oklahoma in Big 12/SEC Challenge

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Date: 1/29/2022

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With its 84-66 win over the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, Auburn extended its nation-long winning streak to 17. The Tigers became the first squad to reach the 20-win mark in college basketball this season a day after head coach Bruce Pearl was awarded an eight-year extension with the program.

The Tigers got the SEC on the board with the conference's first win of the day in the Big 12 versus SEC challenge.

"This challenge matters," Pearl said. "It matters on selection Sunday."

The game began with Walker Kessler getting the crowd active early, as he grabbed a lob from Zep Jasper and slammed it home to put the Tigers on the board first. The lead belonged to Auburn throughout the rest of the game.

The big man did not slow down from there, he recorded a dominating first half performance, consisting of a team-leading 13 points and seven rebounds.

After a tough shooting night against Missouri on Tuesday, things opened up early for Jabari Smith Jr. He scored 11 points in the opening half and added six rebounds. He shot 4-for-4 from the free-throw line as well. He and Kessler led the scoring effort for Auburn.

"It's a long season, I try not to dwell on [a bad game] too much and not let it affect my confidence," Smith said. "Just get ready for the next game."

The Tigers were able to establish a physical presence inside early, leading the Sooners 21-12 in rebounds in the opening half with eight of them coming on offense.

This led to easy, efficient looks in the paint for Auburn, resulting in a 42% shooting effort in the first half.

The Tigers were also stingy on the defensive end. They swiped five steals from the Sooners and forced seven first-half turnovers.

The early effort from Auburn gave it a 39-27 lead going into the break - a lead that it did not relinquish.

Although Oklahoma came out firing in the second half, Auburn never lost its steam. Jacob Groves caught fire for the Sooners and brought the game within three with 12:24 remaining.

With Oklahoma on its heels, Devan Cambridge answered the call. He provided Auburn with a spark, tallying five consecutive points to put Auburn up by eight. The lead was safe from that point. The Tigers put Oklahoma in a 15-point hole and did not look back.

Smith took it from there. He secured a double-double in the second half, hauling in his 10th rebound with 8:46 left on the clock. He went 9-for-10 on free throws and shot 6-for-14 from the field en route to leading the Tigers with 23 points and 12 rebounds in the freshman's bounce-back performance.

"[Smith] has been in the gym, just doing what he does," Pearl said. "Got to the free-throw line, which was very significant today.. Really, really nice job. He's 6-foot-10, and he played like it today."

Kessler finished his strong performance with 21 points and nine rebounds. The player with the second-most blocks in the country, with 81 this season, continued the block party in the contest with four of the team's six.

The center also hit multiple 3-pointers for the first time this season.

"It was only a matter of time before they started falling," Kessler said. "As a shooter, as a player it helps a lot when the coaching staff believes in you and encourages you to keep shooting."

Auburn's backcourt were bullies inside. It continued its first-half surge, bringing in 41 total rebounds, opposed to Oklahoma's 29. The Tigers also led in offensive rebounding 14-to-9.

"They're (Kessler and Smith) the best back court I've ever coached, for sure," Pearl said. "Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler were dominant, and that was really the key."

While the big men stole the spotlight, K.D. Johnson was able to stay hot with another scoring performance in double figures with 13. Zep Jasper also added nine points. The duo combined for both three assists and steals against a talented Oklahoma back court.

"Oklahoma's guards are as good of a collection of guards I think, the three or four guys that get out there defensively were really good," Pearl said. "You can see are able to keep us in front a lot."

The Auburn bench also checked in and made a big difference in the second half. It was held to two points in the first half, but elevated its play after the break and put up 15 in the second half. Devan Cambridge ignited the team with seven points and five rebounds off the bench.

Auburn's depth has played a huge role for them down the stretch because it is able to rest its starters without losing production.

"So many of those guys on the bench were starters last year. Now, they're coming off the bench, and I expect them to play well," said Pearl.

The home-court advantage was good to them. The Tigers were efficient from the field after having its worst shooting percentage of the season in their last game at Missouri. They shot 46% from the floor, an improvement of 16% from their last game.

Auburn took advantage of its opportunities at the free-throw stripe as well, converting on 22-of-26 shots from the stripe for a total of 84.6%.

The Sooners shot 38.9%. Their scoring effort was headed up by guard Jordan Goldwire, who led the way with 19 points and four assists in an effective 60% shooting effort.

As a result of the win, Auburn improves to 20-1 on the season, and Oklahoma falls to 13-8.

The No. 1 Tigers shift their focus to rival Alabama, who comes to Auburn Arena for a rematch on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CST.

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Auburn keeps rolling with victory over Oklahoma

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With its 84-66 win over the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, Auburn extended its nation-long winning streak to 17. The Tigers became the first squad to reach the 20-win mark in college basketball this season a day after head coach Bruce Pearl was awarded an eight-year extension with the program.

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Auburn beats Missouri in first game as No. 1 team

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Auburn beats Missouri in first game as No. 1 team

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Date: 1/26/2022

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Although it was not pretty, the top-ranked Tigers were able to stick out a hard-earned SEC win on the road over Missouri in its first game as the No. 1-ranked team in school history.

Auburn was able to live up to the title of top dog in the game as it defeated Missouri 55-54 to extend its win streak to 16 on Tuesday night.

Unranked, 8-10 Missouri was up to the challenge. It was a dogfight from start to finish.

"Very physical game," said head coach Bruce Pearl. I think one of the most physical games we've played all year. Because of that physicality, it was hard for both teams to score."

Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin's squad found its deep-stroke early. Coming into the game, Missouri was ranked last in the league in 3-point percentage, but it knocked down four early triples in the first eight minutes to take an 18-9 lead.

After that, Wendell Green Jr. introduced himself with two consecutive long balls of his own to get it back to a three-point affair.

After Missouri went up 27-20, Auburn was done playing around. The Tigers in orange, with the help of guard K.D. Johnson, took over.

He got Auburn back in the game at the end of the half by scoring six consecutive points, including a steal and a layup on the other end to make it a two-point deficit.

On the next possession, he assisted Jabari Smith Jr. on a 3-point jumper that gave Auburn its first lead of the game with 3:15 left to go in the first half.

Johnson finished the half with a team-high 10 points and added three steals, an assist and a rebound. In a half where Walker Kessler and Smith were held to a combined eight points, he was a game changer.

The score was knotted up at the break, 31-31. Missouri looked to be the more physical team, outrebounding Auburn 22-15 and leading in second-chance points 8-1.

Auburn immediately consumed the lead in the second half, as guard Zep Jasper came out firing with a 3-pointer.

From there, the scoring came sparingly in the second half. The score was 42-41 in favor of Auburn with 7:50 left to go in the game, and Missouri had not scored in the last seven minutes. Auburn made only 1-of-12 field goals and Missouri converted on only one of seven in that time frame.

The game continued to go back-and-forth and with its 15-game winning streak on the line with 2:47 to go, Auburn held a one-point lead, 50-49.

Johnson took over late. With Auburn down one with 1:45 on the clock, he completed a three-point play before scoring again on the next possession to make it a 55-51 lead going into a timeout.

Missouri answered right back with a 3-pointer, but it was not enough. Johnson took the ball down the court and missed a layup. Kessler picked up the rebound and put it back up for another miss. It got knocked away from the goal, took a bounce out of bounds but the clock had hit zero.

Although Auburn had its lowest scoring performance of the season with 55 points, it was able to make key plays in the clutch. Notably from Johnson, who led the team in scoring with 17 points.

"Late in the game, K.D. is a dangerous man," Peal said. "He's not afraid of the moment."

Johnson continued to show up when his team needed him. He shifted the momentum in Auburn's favor in key situations with a five and then a six-point scoring run that was not overcome.

"In that last minute or so, I was just trying to make a play for my team, and I came through in the clutch," Johnson said.

Devan Cambridge was able to come off the bench in the second half and rack up nine rebounds, which Johnson said "got them started up."

Once Cambridge got them going, they didn't stop. Auburn found success inside with 25 offensive rebounds, including Kessler's rebound to seal the win.

On the other side, Javon Pickett led the way for Missouri with 17 points, and Jaron Coleman also put up double figures with 10.

After being out-rebounded by seven in the first half, Auburn gained the advantage on the board, 33-16 in the second half. The effort on the glass was led by Kessler, who tallied 12 rebounds in his double-double performance.

"You talk about guys playing with effort and energy, that's what it's all about," Pearl said.

Standout freshman Jabari Smith had a forgettable night shooting. He recorded a season-low five points while shooting 2-of-15 from the field. The effort was still there from Smith, as he grabbed 10 rebounds - three offensive - two blocks and an assist.

Auburn also saw decreased production from Green, who left the game momentarily with 13:18 remaining in the game. He collided with Missouri's Yaya Keita and was favoring his right knee, drawing an offensive charge on the play. He went to the locker room, but soon returned, which Pearl called "the biggest win of the night."

After two early threes, he did not score again, and he finished 2-of-9 shooting. Auburn's third leading scorer finished with just six in the game.

On a night where the team's best shooters were cold, Auburn was still able to come out on top.

"We can win when Jabari doesn't have a big offensive night, but Missouri can't win when Kobe Brown doesn't have a big offensive night," Pearl said.

Alabama-native Kobe Brown, who averages 13.8 points a game this season, finished with only eight points.

Auburn, coming off arguably the biggest home win in program history over No. 12 Kentucky on Saturday, which boosted them to the No. 1 spot, came out flat shooting in this game. It was its worst shooting performance of the season at 30% from the floor.

"It's a long year," Pearl said. "I felt going into tonight that we've been grinding so hard, at some point there could be a letdown. Maybe we had a little bit of a letdown tonight. We weren't very sharp offensively."

Through all of the noise of the previous weekend and an early deficit Auburn kept its eyes on the prize and battled back to stay in the win column.

"A team with a lesser character would not have been able to come back and win this game," Pearl said.

Auburn will face Oklahoma in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday at 1 p.m. CST.

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Auburn and Johnson narrowly escape Missouri

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Although it was not pretty, the top-ranked Tigers were able to stick out a hard-earned SEC win on the road over Missouri in its first game as the No. 1-ranked team in school history. Auburn was able to live up to the title of top dog in the game as it defeated Missouri 55-54 to extend its win streak to 16 on Tuesday night.

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Preview of Auburn versus South Carolina basketball

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Preview of Auburn versus South Carolina basketball

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Date: 1/03/2022

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On Tuesday, Jan. 4, Auburn travels to Columbia for a matchup with its second SEC opponent of the season, South Carolina.

Both teams hope to start 2022 with a conference win. It won't be easy to come by in a conference that is loaded with talent this season.

The Gamecocks enter the game with a 9-3 record. South Carolina's previous game against South Carolina State was postponed due to COVID-19 issues, so this will be its first contest since their 105-75 win over Army on Dec. 22.

The Tigers moved up two spots in the latest AP poll that was updated this morning. They jumped up the ladder to No. 9.

The Tigers are riding high right now, entering this affair on a nine-game win streak. They are coming off a 70-55 beating of rival LSU.

"It would be hard to complain with where we're at right now. I just hope we can take advantage of it," said head coach Bruce Pearl.

Auburn, which is 12-1, will be the first true test for the Gamecock team this season. The Tigers represent their first SEC opponent this season, and they are also the first ranked team South Carolina has seen this season.

Despite a win versus South Carolina last year, Pearl says Auburn cannot get comfortable against a "tough, physical" team led by head coach Frank Martin.

"Since I've been at Auburn, we've struggled at South Carolina. Not a great record against them. We won there last year, but we lost three prior," said Pearl.

Auburn, however, is battle-tested. The team defeated its first SEC opponent of the season in previously undefeated LSU last Wednesday. The Tigers have matched up with two ranked teams this season: UConn, which was No. 22 when it played Auburn, and now-No. 21 LSU.

The No. 9 team also welcomed back star forward Allen Flanigan to the starting lineup against LSU. He proceeded to tally 10 points, six rebounds and an assist in 29 minutes on the court.

Coach Pearl said he felt Flanigan was not ready for the jump he made from 12 minutes in his first game to 29 minutes in the next.

"When Devan Cambridge wasn't available to start at the position, and you're playing LSU, it put [Flanigan] in a position where he could've played more," Pearl said. "It's just that he probably got one rotation each half more than he should've."

Pearl added that Flanigan "felt no negative effects" after the game and that his minutes "were probably good for him from a conditioning standpoint."

Auburn big man Walker Kessler is coming off a career game in which he recorded the second triple-double in Auburn program history. Kessler, the 7-foot-1 center, lit up the stat sheet with 16 points, 11 blocks and 10 rebounds.

The Tigers will need another big game from Kessler against an offense that likes to get to the basket and score inside.

"They're very physical on the inside. We have to be able to play through contact and make free throws at a higher percentage," said Pearl.

The Gamecocks haul in an average of 14.5 offensive rebounds per game.

"They are one of the better offensive rebounding and defensive teams in our league... This will have to be a game in which we have our most physical game in order to take away what they're good at," said Pearl.

South Carolina's physicality is most prevalent on the defensive side of the ball. They are 11th in the nation in field goal percentage defense. It is a team that likes to put pressure on the ball-handler and force turnovers with their big guards.

Pearl uses UCF as one comparison to South Carolina's physicality and defensive aggressiveness. Both teams use full-court coverage to force accurate passes and make the opposing offense make smart decisions. Auburn beat UCF 85-68, but it struggled early and turned the ball over 15 times.

"South Carolina is going to guard us a completely different way than LSU did. The things that will be available to us will be different, and can we make that adjustment? ... if we keep improving, we'll keep winning," Pearl said.

The Tigers have come away with wins in both of their road games this season against South Florida and Saint Louis. They look to continue that trend as three of their next four conference battles are on the road, starting in Columbia on Tuesday.

However, the Tigers have been in tight contests in both of these away games.

"While we have had success on the road, being 2-0, we were down 15 at South Florida and down 13 at Saint Louis," Pearl said.

This is an obstacle the Tigers must overcome in their first SEC game on the road this season.

"It's a good opportunity. It's a good team," Pearl said.

Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. CST on SEC Network. The game can also be heard on Auburn Sports Radio Network.

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Auburn set for 'tough, physical' matchup against South Carolina

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On Tuesday, Jan. 4, Auburn travels to Columbia for a matchup with its second SEC opponent of the season, South Carolina. Both teams hope to start 2022 with a conference win. It won't be easy to come by in a conference that is loaded with talent this season.

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Date: 1/18/2022

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Tigers gain commitment from third Oregon transfer in 24 days

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On Monday evening, Auburn added its third former Oregon player and second QB to the roster via the transfer portal in under a month with Alabama-native Robby Ashford.

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Date: 12/28/2021

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Houston receiver and kick returner, Nathan Dell hesitated and took the opening kickoff out of his own end zone and Auburn swarmed and droped him at Houston's own 13-yard line.

It seemed as if the Tigers had come out hot, but the Cougars responded by taking it 87 yards down field in 12 plays to capture an early 7-0 lead.

This was a lead that remained throughout the first quarter in Tuesday's Birmingham Bowl between No. 20 Houston and Auburn, which the Tigers lost 17-13.

Auburn struggled heavily on offense in the opening quarter, as it was held scoreless and only recorded 33 total yards. It did not record a first down until just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, and it moved the chains only twice in the first 15 minutes.

The second quarter was more of the same. Neither offense looked strong in the opening half. Each team added a pair of field goals in the second quarter to make the score 10-3 with Houston leading going into the half.

The Tiger's offense showed some sparks in the passing game in the second quarter. After quarterback TJ Finley went 2-5 for just five yards in the first quarter, he ended the half 10-20 with 128 yards. Auburn marched down into Houston territory and threatened to score several times in the second quarter.

Auburn, however, was unable to take advantage of these times where it threatened to reach the end zone in the first half. The Tigers went for it on a fourth-and-three situation from the Houston 20-yard line and did not convert on a pass to Shedrick Jackson that was initially ruled a catch, but it was reversed after replay and resulted in a turnover on downs for Auburn.

On the next offensive possession for the Tigers, they converted a third-and-six with a screen pass to Tank Bigsby that he took for 51 yards into Cougar territory. After Auburn reached the opponent's 10-yard line, Ben Patton trotted in and made a 27-yard field goal.

One thing that head coach Bryan Harsin was proud of, was Auburn's screen game.

"Our screen passes worked effectively. That's an easy pass," Harsin said.

With 1:36 left in the half, Auburn got the ball back, looking to get on the board again before the half ended. Finley dropped back and dropped a dime in to Kobe Hudson near the sideline for 30 yards. The Tigers got another new set of downs and reached the opposing side of the field again. Then, the offense returned to first quarter form and was forced to punt.

These are not the results Auburn wanted on promising drives. Coach Harsin made a statement early by keeping the offense on the field on fourth-and-three. Auburn needed touchdowns and did not want to settle for field goals. However, that is what ultimately happened. The team went to the locker room with only three points to show for those drives.

However, the defense stood its ground after the first drive, and Houston did not reach the end zone again in the opening half. The Tiger defense did not force any turnovers in the first half, but each team punted three times.

The third quarter was all Auburn. The Tigers drove down to the Houston 18-yard line, and Patton nailed a 35-yard field goal home to make it 10-6 Houston.

Following the field goal, the Auburn defense forced another punt from Houston. The Tigers then took it 78-yards in 11 plays for a clock-chewing touchdown drive. The six-minute drive was capped off by Finley dropping a 12-yard dime to Hudson in the back of the end zone. This was Auburn's first touchdown of the game, giving the team its first lead, 13-10.

That is where the Tigers seized momentum and took over. The next three Houston drives resulted in turnovers.

First, Nehemiah Pritchett intercepted an overthrown pass by Clayton Tune and took it to the Houston 27, but a targeting call on Smoke Monday negated the gain and Auburn took over at its own 28-yard line.

After an Auburn punt, Houston got it back and marched into Auburn territory. When the Cougars reached the Auburn 34, they elected to keep the offense on for fourth-and-eight. Houston's quarterback Tune kept the ball and ran for six yards, but came up short of the first down.

After another Auburn punt, Houston got the ball back and tried something new to get momentum back, a double-pass. Tune threw a backwards pass to tight end, Seth Green, who immediately loaded up to throw back across the field. Auburn was not fooled. The ball was tipped and caught by Chandler Wooten as he dragged one foot in bound for an interception.

Once again, Auburn's offense was not able to take advantage of the turnover and Houston forced a three-and-out. The punt went through Houston's end zone for a touchback.

The Cougars then took the ball at their own 20 with 3:52 left in the contest. This seemed to be the last chance for them. Despite not reaching the end zone since their opening drive, they marched 80 yards down the field and scored on a 26-yard pass to their tight end, making it a 17-13 lead.

This score with three minutes and 27 seconds left proved to be the deciding points, as Auburn then ran four plays and turned it over on downs. Tank Bigsby ran for eight yards on first down and then three straight incomplete passes sent the offense back to the bench. Houston then took a knee and won the game.

This game was a hard-fought defensive battle, but Houston was able to put together drives at the perfect times to push the Cougars to victory. The Cougars only touchdown drives were their first drive of the game and their last.

Tune was named Birmingham Bowl MVP. He totaled 283 yards through the air along with two touchdowns. He only threw one interception and added 43 rushing yards.

This game continued a season of tough luck on targeting penalties for Auburn. Senior Smoke Monday was called for targeting twice during the game. The first call was reversed, but the second call in the second half stood and the safety was ejected. Next, Roger McCreary's replacement Jaylin Simpson, was called and ejected for targeting.

"I think the penalty (targeting) is different in each set of officials, and in each league, sometimes," Harsin said. "I don't disagree with the need for it, but it's just hard to make those calls."

The toughest part of the targeting penalty is that it means to the team loses the player who committed the penalty for a whole game.

"When you lose starters, you don't just lose them, but you lose the 180 reps or however many they took in practice," Harsin said.

Experience was already a concern for the Auburn team coming into today and then the team lost two starters in the secondary.

All eyes on offense were on quarterback TJ Finley.

After three-year starter Bo Nix announced he is transferring to Oregon, the QB position became a question mark for Auburn. Finley was the sole QB for the Tigers today. He went 19-37 with 227 yards and a touchdown.

Harsin described Finley's performance as "good, but inconsistent."

The coach said he was impressed by some of the throws he was able to make, and he was happy with the sophmore's decision making.

"We threw it to the right guys, but the execution on those throws needs to be better," Harsin said.

No turnovers by Finley is another encouraging sign. He did a good job taking care of the ball, which has been one of the main weaknesses for him in the past.

As for freshman quarterback Demetrius Davis, who took backup reps in practice, he got no playing time. When asked about replacing Finley, Harsin said, "if they aren't starting, that is for a reason."

Auburn ends the season with a 6-7 record, and Houston improves to 12-2. Houston ended its four-game bowl losing streak.

The Cougars had an impressive season. The team's only losses were to Texas Tech in the season opener and to playoff-bound Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference Championhip.

Harsin said he is proud of his team, and he does not feel like their record reflects the kind of season they had.

"It just comes down to finishing" Harsin said. "We weren't able to finish in some key situations."

Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Houston uses timely scores to edge Auburn in Birmingham Bowl

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Houston receiver and kick returner, Nathan Dell hesitated and took the opening kickoff out of his own end zone and Auburn swarmed and droped him at Houston's own 13-yard line. It seemed as if the Tigers had come out hot, but the Cougars responded by taking it 87 yards down field in 12 plays to capture an early 7-0 lead.

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Date: 12/24/2021

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Auburn landed defensive tackle Jayson Jones out of the transfer portal Friday. Jones is a highly sought-after defensive player coming from the Oregon Ducks.

Jones announced he was entering the portal on Dec. 15 and immediately got offers from Auburn and Miami, among others. His former head coach at Oregon, Mario Cristobal, is the newest head coach at Miami, making them a destination of interest for Jones.

However, playing at Auburn allows him to stay near his hometown of Calera, Alabama.

Jones is a former 4-star prospect out of high school and was tabbed as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the state of Alabama. He also played offensive tackle in high school but has only seen action at DT in college.

The highly valued DT received 20 scholarship offers out of high school. Jones signed with Oregon over schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and others. He originally committed to the Tide before flipping to the Ducks.

Jones played his true freshman season at Oregon in 2021. He signed with the Ducks in 2020, but he did not play in that COVID-shortened season. The 2020 season does not count as a year of eligibility for Jones, so he will have three years of eligibility and a redshirt season to use at Auburn.

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The 6-foot-6 sophomore played in all 13 games for Oregon during his freshman campaign. He tallied 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the year.

Jones is the second DT Auburn has picked up this offseason. He comes in alongside 3-star Enyce Sledge, adding plenty of size up front for the Tiger defense. Both Jones and Sledge are on the upside of 320 pounds and 6-foot-3.

With a full college season under his belt, Jones has proved he can be a difference-maker on Saturdays. Jones is another player to help lead teammates like Sledge and be an example for them.

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Noah Griffith | Sports Reporter

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Auburn lands transfer defensive tackle from Oregon

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Auburn landed defensive tackle Jayson Jones out of the transfer portal Friday. Jones is a highly sought-after defensive player coming from the Oregon Ducks. Jones announced he was entering the portal on Dec. 15 and immediately got offers from Auburn and Miami, among others.