Auburn, ranked 24th, is gearing up for a significant Southeastern Conference home series against the top-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks this weekend at Plainsman Park. Following a strong performance against South Alabama, where their pitching staff shone brightly in a 2-1 win, the Tigers are eager to carry that momentum into their showdown with Arkansas.
- What? Arkansas Razorbacks at Auburn, College Baseball
- Where? Plainsman Park, Auburn
- When? Thursday, March 21 at 6 p.m, Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m. CST and Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m. CST
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Auburn
Auburn's recent success can be attributed to a potent combination of good pitching and powerful hitting. In their recent triumph over South Alabama, pitchers Christian Herberholz, Alex Petrovic, Parker Carlson, and Dylan Watts joined forces to stifle the opposition to just one run on five hits, while impressively striking out 13 batters. On the offensive front, Cooper Weiss and Ike Irish stepped up in critical moments, drawing bases-loaded walks that sealed the victory.
As they gear up to take on the top-ranked Razorbacks, the Tigers will lean on standout performers such as Cooper McMurray and Conner McBride to lead the charge. McMurray has emerged as a dominant force at the plate, boasting an impressive batting average of .369 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs this season. McBride, a transfer from junior college, has provided stability on the mound, consistently delivering strong performances for Auburn.
In addition to McMurray and McBride, the Tigers have received significant contributions from other key players throughout the lineup. Weiss and Irish have been dynamic at the top of the batting order, effectively setting the table for the offense with their knack for getting on base. Weiss maintains a solid .325 batting average, while Irish has proven clutch, driving in runs in 17 out of the team's 20 games this season.
On the pitching front, Auburn has witnessed standout performances from its bullpen, particularly from relievers like Carlson and Watts. Carlson, in particular, has been exceptional in his relief appearances. He boasts a flawless 3-0 record and a remarkable 0.00 ERA across six outings this season. Watts, on the other hand, has emerged as a dependable closer for the Tigers, securing his first career save against South Alabama.
Arkansas
Arkansas enter the series with an impressive 17-2 overall record and an undefeated 3-0 streak in SEC play. The Razorbacks have displayed dominance on both ends of the field, with a standout pitching staff and a potent offense. Pitcher Hagen Smith has emerged as a standout performer. He boasts a flawless 3-0 record alongside an impressive 1.57 ERA and tallying 50 strikeouts this season.
Offensively, outfielder Kendall Diggs has been instrumental for the Razorbacks, maintaining a solid .313 batting average while contributing five home runs and 15 RBIs. Additionally, freshman infielder Nolan Souza has swiftly made an impact. He secured his first collegiate multi-homer game and playing a crucial role in Arkansas' victories.
As Arkansas rides a remarkable 13-game winning streak and Auburn aims to bounce back from a challenging series against Vanderbilt, the upcoming matchup promises an enthralling showdown between two talented SEC teams. The Tigers will seek to capitalize on their home-field advantage and rally behind their star players as they endeavor to upset the top-ranked Razorbacks and assert their presence in conference play.
Prediction and Betting Pick
After sweeping Missouri in their SEC Opening Weekend series, Arkansas boasts an impressive 17-2 record in the 2024 season's initial 19 games. The Razorbacks carry a formidable 13-game winning streak into Thursday night's series opener against Auburn. Notably, this winning streak ranks among their third-longest overall winning streaks under the helm of head coach Dave Van Horn. It also stands as their second-longest in-season winning streak during Van Horn's tenure.
No.1 Arkansas to win again.
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