Auburn Baseball Looks to Get Things Going in SEC Play against Missouri

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The Auburn baseball team (14-15, 2-7) has undoubtedly struggled through the early portion of SEC play losing seven of their first nine games, but the same can be said for their opponent this weekend in the Missouri Tigers (18-13, 2-7).

This will be the first time in conference play that either team goes up against an unranked SEC foe. Auburn started the year against number two Texas A&M, and then traveled to face Arkansas – who was ranked at that time – and then hosted number 15 LSU.

Missouri started out SEC play by getting swept by the Aggies and number two Vanderbilt, before picking up two wins on the road against Arkansas, which knocked them out of the top 25.

Missouri started the season ranked in the top 25, but a series loss to Youngstown State followed by the poundings from Texas A&M and Vanderbilt ultimately dropped them from the rankings. They rank last in the league in terms of average at .253, while averaging just under 6 runs per game. The pitching staff ranks eighth in the conference with an ERA of 3.73.

Reggie McClain leads the starting rotation with a 2.58 ERA in 7 starts, striking out 48 batters in 52.1 innings pitched. Tanner Houck is the Saturday starter with an ERA of 2.76 and 52 strikeouts in 49 innings.

You don’t want to see Brian Sharp coming out of the bullpen as he is Missouri’s closer with 4 saves on the season, a 1.62 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 16.2 innings. Liam Carter is another good arm out of the bullpen with a 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings with 17 strikeouts.

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Outside of those four arms the pitching staff is a bit suspect, so if Auburn can jump on them early they have a really good chance of putting them away.

The offensive ring leader is Jake Ring (thank you, thank you). He is hitting .321 with 22 runs, 1 home run 17 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts. Zach Lavy is right behind him with a .319 average, 28 runs scored, 3 home runs and 29 RBIs. After Ryan Howard at .285 the rest of the offense takes a nose dive.

If Auburn pitching was ever going to get back on track this would be the weekend it happens. The Auburn pitching staff has fallen all the way down to last in the SEC with an ERA of 4.33. Justin Camp has an ERA of 4.57 with 29 strikeouts in 41.1 innings, while Cole Lipscomb’s ERA is at 5.61 with 32 strikeouts in 33.2 innings. Andrew Mitchell joined the rotation last weekend but was roughed up as his ERA jumped to 4.17 with 35 strikeouts in 36.2 innings.

Auburn is going to have to put up big numbers on offense to win games, and they can do that with six players hitting over .300 led by Anfernee Grier who is hitting .427 with a team-high 41 runs scored and 7 home runs. Joshua Palacios is behind him hitting .408 with 33 runs scored, while Niko Buentello is hitting .364 with 6 home runs and a team-high 35 RBIs.

Jordan Ebert (.362), Blake Logan (.352) and Cody Nulph (.310) are the other three batters in the Auburn lineup hitting over .300, helping give Auburn the second best team batting average in the SEC at .322.

The formula is simple for Auburn, they have to outslug the other team, and that’s definitely a possibility against Missouri. The only question will be can the Auburn pitching staff slow down the worst offensive team in the conference. If so, Auburn baseball should be able to pick up their first SEC series win of the season.

Weekend Schedule – Auburn (14-15, 2-7) vs. Missouri (18-13, 2-7)

Thursday – 6:30 p.m. CT – Taylor Stadium – ESPNU (W, 11-9)

Probable Starters: Reggie McClain (3-1, 2.58 ERA, 48 K) vs. Cole Lipscomb (1-3, 5.61 ERA, 32 Ks)

Friday – 6 p.m. CT – Taylor Stadium – SECN+ (L, 2-0)

Probable Starters: Tanner Houck (3-2, 2.76 ERA, 52 Ks) vs. Justin Camp (2-1, 4.57 ERA, 29 Ks)

Saturday – 1 p.m. CT – Taylor Stadium – SECN+

Probable Starters: Michael Plassmeyer (2-2, 5.13 ERA, 15 Ks) vs. Andrew Mitchell (4-1, 4.17 ERA, 35 Ks)

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