Golden Eagle

Did anyone say we were? Most of the RPI rankings don't map to seedings in the postseason bracket...Alabama's RPI is 12 and they are seeded 5th.

I don't either...and, as you say, supposedly how you finish matters (thus South Carolina made it into the tournament). The person who explained why Alabama was seeded so high was asked whether the committee considered late-season injuries going into the postseason (e.g., potentially Fouts) and she said 'no' - just the team's overall performance. As I said I think there is always bias in favor of Alabama and, it honestly seems to me, some bias against Auburn. Then again, we're just not a stellar offensive team and we only have 1 ace pitcher. Seems that most other teams have at least 3 really good pitchers that they cycle in to keep batters off kilter. We just ride Maddie into the ground.

Both Auburn and Alabama were eliminated in the semi-final round. Alabama was in it longer than Auburn because Auburn had a bye in the first 2 rounds due to their 3rd place finish in the SEC (so Auburn only played 2 games). Alabama only had a bye in the first round due to their 5th place finish in the SEC (so they played 3 games). But, Auburn lost to unseeded South Carolina. Alabama, to their credit, lost to the eventual winner, Tennessee, by a score of 7-6. I didn't watch it but apparently it was a close game.

On the selection show, one of the people on the committee who came up with the bracket said they were so impressed by Alabama's 6 wins against top 10 teams as well as additional wins against top 25 teams (many of whom are in the SEC). Alabama did play a much tougher out of conference schedule than we did...but I also think there is too often a bias in favor of Alabama. Before they announced Alabama, they said something to the effect that the next one was going to surprise people. I think that's an understatement.

Yep. Second to last team announced. Shocked me that we weren't a 2 seed somewhere.

That's mostly true...we went to OKC in March and played Oklahoma twice and Northwestern twice...but lost all 4 games. We also won the series against Alabama and LSU, both of whom are apparently top 10 teams so 4 wins there.

Wow. Auburn was the next to last team announced tonight. And going back to Clemson. And, if by chance they win the regional they will face Oklahoma in a super regional. 🥴 Norman Regional Oklahoma (1) Missouri California Hofstra Los Angeles Regional UCLA (2) San Diego State Liberty Grand Canyon Tallahassee Regional Florida State (3) UCF South Carolina Marist Knoxville Regional Tennessee (4) Louisville Indiana Northern Kentucky Tuscaloosa Regional Alabama (5) Middle Tennessee Central Arkansas LIU Stillwater Regional Oklahoma State (6) Nebraska Wichita State UMBC Seattle Regional Washington (7) McNeese Minnesota Northern Colorado Durham Regional Duke (8) Campbell Charlotte George Mason Stanford Regional Stanford (9) Loyola Marymount Florida Long Beach State Baton Rouge Regional LSU (10) Omaha Louisiana Prairie View Fayetteville Regional Arkansas (11) Notre Dame Oregon Harvard Evanston Regional Northwestern (12) Miami (OH) Kentucky Eastern Illinois Austin Regional Texas (13) Texas St. Texas A&M Seton Hall Athens Regional Georgia (14) Boston University Virginia Tech NC Central Salt Lake City Regional Utah (15) Ole Miss Baylor Southern Illinois Clemson Regional Clemson (16) Cal St Fullerton Auburn UNC Greensboro

What a truly remarkable story. Much respect for Mom's unwavering belief and support and sacrifices in order to give her son the best possible opportunity for a good life. And to Derrick for recognizing and appreciating everything Mom did for him and and for putting in the work - hard work - to achieve his dream. They seem like two really AUsome human beings and I wish them both much joy and success in the future.

Bruce is a good coach but he hasn't done much for the baseball team...

Today's loss likely eliminated any chance of Auburn hosting a regional but it's probably just as well that they did lose. Penta hasn't been her best during the tournament and she has mentioned being fatigued late in the season. Bowing out early will give her an extra day, and one less game pitched, to recover before the regionals start.

I thought Lowe looked better than Penta today...until she didn't. In fairness, even the best pitchers rarely pitch a no hitter. She had 2 outs and was soooo close to getting the win. Didn't help that she walked a batter before giving up the HR. If our offense could put some runs on the board there wouldn't be so much pressure on the pitchers. Today they were taking huge hacks at the ball trying to hit it to the moon. Gobourne was throwing 70+ mph...she was providing the power, all they had to do was make contact. Meanwhile, Auburn baseball is up 16-4 right now over Ole Miss. Cole Foster just hit his second HR of the game. I wish Gabe Gross would come coach softball for a year.

Gobourne didn't just give us issues - she pitched a no-hitter against us and South Carolina run ruled us 8-0 in 5 innings. My guess is that it's going to be a very difficult game for Auburn.

Here are the rules for 'hit by pitch' from the 2022-2023 NCAA Women's Softball Rules: https://www.ncaapublications.com/p-4639-2022-and-2023-ncaa-womens-softball-rules.aspx The call was reversed because the batter was deemed to have leaned into the pitch (rule 11.13.3.1) 11.13 Hit Batter (by Pitch) 11.13.1 A batter is awarded first base when a pitch, neither swung at nor called a strike, is entirely within the batter’s box and it strikes the batter or their clothing. No attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch is required; however, the batter may not obviously try to get hit by the pitch. (See Rule 11.13.3.1) 11.13.2 A batter is awarded first base when a pitch neither swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter or their clothing while they are in the batter’s box, except as noted in Rule 11.13.3 that follows. EFFECT—(11.13.1 and 11.13.2)—The ball is dead. The batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out. Base runners may not advance unless forced. Notes: 1. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter. 2. The batter’s hands are not considered part of the bat. 3. If a batter swings and the ball hits their hands sending it into fair or foul territory, the ball is dead and a strike is called on the batter. If it is strike three, the batter is out. 11.13.3 The hit batter shall not be awarded first base under the following circumstances: 11.13.3.1 The batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch (which is not entirely in the batter’s box) or they obviously tried to get hit by the pitch (regardless of its location). EFFECT—The ball is dead. The pitch is a ball or strike (depending on its location), and the batter remains at bat, except the batter is declared out if the pitch was a third strike or the batter is awarded first base if the pitch was “Ball four.” Base runners advance if forced. Note: The benefit of any doubt must go to the batter and could include a batter freezing and unable to move due to the unusual movement or speed of the pitch. 11.13.3.2 The batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone or by a pitch that does not reach the plate but would have been in the strike zone had it not hit the batter. EFFECT—The ball is dead. The pitch is a strike. The batter is declared out if the pitch was a third strike; otherwise, they remain at bat. Each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. 11.13.3.3 The pitch touches any part of the batter, including their hands or clothing, as they swing and miss for a third strike. EFFECT—The ball is dead. The batter is declared out, and each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. 11.13.3.4 The batter is hit by a pitch that has not yet reached the front line of the batter’s box, and is not judged as having been able to enter the strike zone, assuming they did not swing or attempt to bunt. EFFECT—“No Pitch.” See Rule 10.10.

Dean announced before the South Carolina series that Lowe was fully cleared to pitch with NO pitch count. She hasn't yet returned to her freshman form, though, unfortunately. I hope she gets there...we need her. And, yes, a lot of teams rely on their ace during the post season but that doesn't mean they don't get fatigued, and sometimes deal with nagging injuries, towards the end of the season. Maddie said after the Mississippi State series that her body was feeling the wear and tear of the season and she said it again after today's game. Not only has she pitched at least twice in every SEC series, she has often pitched in mid-week contests as well. She's a beast and I hope she holds up through the WCWS. Frustrating to see a couple of really bad base-running errors today (JABA) - an ongoing issue. Happy for the win, tho!

Here's the full 2023 schedule...no Arkansas... https://auburntigers.com/sports/softball/schedule/2023

Unfortunately, Auburn's RPI isn't as strong as many of the SEC teams below them in the SEC standings. That's why Auburn has a lower ranking in the polls than Bama, LSU, FLorida, etc. , and isn't projected to host a regional. Not playing Tennessee and Arkansas contributes to that. A win or two in the tournament could change that. We'll see.

Wow. I DID NOT see this coming. Ole Miss beat Alabama today so Auburn didn't need the tiebreaker to stay ahead of them in the SEC standings. Alabama was ahead 4-1 heading in to the bottom of the 7th. Alabama pitcher (Torrence) gave up back-to-back HRs cutting their lead to 4-3 so Fouts was brought in to replace her and pitch for the save. Fouts got a couple of outs but also gave up a couple of hits. Ole Miss then got a single up the middle that scored 1 run (tying the game) followed by a double that scored 2 runs and won the game for Ole Miss. Fouts takes the loss and Alabama finishes a game behind Auburn. AND, Mizzou just beat Arkansas 7-6 which bumps Auburn up to 3rd place. AND LSU just beat Georgia which doesn't change the order. Seeding for SEC tournament will reflect the new standings. (Auburn was lucky not to have to play Tennessee or Arkansas this year.) Final standings: 1. Tennessee 19-5 2. Georgia 16-7 3. Auburn 15-9 4. Arkansas 14-9 5. Alabama 14-10 6. LSU 13-11 7. Texas A&M 12-12 8. Florida 11-13 9. Kentucky 10-14 10. South Carolina 9-15 11. Ole Miss 8-16 12. Mississippi State 7-16 12. Missouri 6-17

Game 3 Summary: Auburn 3 - Mississippi State 0 AU scored 3 runs (all 3 earned) on 4 hits with 0 errors and 6 left on base. MSU scored 0 runs on 1 hit with 0 errors and 4 left on base. AU: Penta pitched 7 innings - threw 101 pitches (1 wild), struck out 8, walked 3, no hit batters, and gave up 0 runs on 1 hit. MSU: Pitched 6 innings - threw 112 pitches, struck out 7, walked 5, and gave up 3 runs (all earned) on 4 hits Beuerlein pitched 3.2 innings - threw 74 pitches, struck out 5, walked 4, and gave up 3 runs (all earned) on 3 hits. Hawk pitched 2.1 innings - threw 38 pitches, struck out 2, walked 1, and gave up 0 runs on 1 hit. AUsome day at Jane B Moore field. Before the game, seniors were honored, Auburn University President Chris Roberts presented diplomas to the graduates (Godwin, Engelkes, Garcia, and McCondichie) and Maddie Penta sang the National Anthem. Wish I could have been there - praise from today's tv commentators on the ceremonies (especially Roberts showing up - Auburn believed to be the first team to do that). Both Peralta and Bryant played today after leaving yesterday's game with hand injuries. Peralta's hand was taped but it didn't seem to affect her play. Happy for Garcia hitting a 2-run HR in her last game at Jane B Moore. With the win, Auburn secures a 4th-place finish in the SEC standings and a bye in the first round of the SEC tournament. Looks like they will most likely face Alabama in the second round. Auburn not expected to host a regional with latest projection showing them going to Seattle. Auburn finishes the regular season 39-16, 15-9. Penta's regular season record 25-5; other Auburn pitchers combined for a 14-11 record. Penta carried this team all year; will the offense and the rest of the pitching staff step up in the post season???

Final, after 6.5, innings, Auburn 3 - MSU 0 MSU: strikeout, strikeout looking, ground out to 2nd.

After 6 innings, Auburn 3 - MSU 0 MSU: ground out to SS, line out to SS, fly out to CF Auburn: Bryant base hit to SS (great to see her hustle to first and beat it out), Garcia ground ball to SS who tossed it to 2nd and got Bryant out, Abbey Smith in to run for Garcia, Tresvik walked, Engelkes in to pinch hit struck out, Blaine in to pinch hit struck out.

After 5 innings, Auburn 3 - MSU 0 MSU: ground out to P, strikeout, ground out to SS - quick work by Maddie this inning. Auburn: Peralta ground out to 2nd, Godwin in to pinch hit and grounds out to 2nd, Ellis hit by pitch, McCrary ground out to P

After 4 innings, Auburn 3 - MSU 0 MSU: walk, sac bunt moved runner to 2nd, popup to shallow RF, walk, fly out to shallow RF (great catch by Tresvik). Auburn: Bryant walked, McCondichie in to run for Bryant, Garcia 2-run HR on Senior Day!!!, Tresvik accidentally hit the ball on a checked swing...ground out to P, Packer struck out swinging on a ball out of the zone, Roach walked, MSU makes a pitching change - Hawk in for Beuerlein, Peralta at bat but Roach thrown out trying to steal second.

After 3 innings: Auburn 1 - MSU 0 MSU: strikeout, strikeout, ground out to SS Auburn: Roach struck out (she stopped her swing but umps said she went around...announcers didn't think she did), Peralta HR (with help from the CFer who got a glove on it but lost it), Lisenby grounded out, Ellis walked, Elkins in to run for Ellis, Elkins steals 2nd on a wild pitch, McCrary pops up to shallow RF.

After 2 innings: Auburn 0 - MSU 0 MSU: ground out to SS, ground out to P, fly out to LF Auburn: McCrary ground out to 2nd, Bryant ground ball single up the middle, Garcia walked, Tresvik popped up to shallow RF, Packer bunted and was thrown out at first - didn't like that choice with 2 outs and 2 on base.

Game 3: After 1 inning: Auburn 0 - MSU 0 MSU: ground ball single to RF, strikeout, walk, strikeout, strikeout Auburn: Peralta struck out looking, Lisenby struck out looking, Ellis struck out swinging Not a good start for Auburn - MSU freshman pitcher Beuerlein struck out the side in order.