Auburn Week 7 Review
The Tigers won their biggest series of the season last weekend in Fayetteville over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Auburn defeated the Hogs, 2-1, in the opener in a pitcher’s duel. Tiger pitcher Dillon Ortman tossed 8 1/3 innings and only allowed one run on six hits. Due to bad weather, the teams played a doubleheader on Saturday, with the Razorbacks winning the first game, 4-3. In the finale, Auburn dominated in a 7-2 victory. The Tigers improved to 25-20 overall and 9-12 in conference play. Auburn returns home to take on Mississippi State this weekend.
Alabama Week 7 Review
The Crimson Tide lost a series on the road last weekend against South Carolina. The Gamecocks won two of the three games, including a 9-3 win in the series opener. In the second game, Alabama won a low scoring affair, 2-1. Crimson Tide pitched Justin Kamplain tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing only one run. Casey Hughston hit the game-winning RBI for Alabama. South Carolina won the series finale, 9-3. Alabama dropped to 29-15 overall, and 13-8 in league play. UA faces SEC East leader Florida this weekend in Tuscaloosa.
SEC Baseball Standings
1. Florida (30-15, 15-6)
2. LSU (34-11, 12-8)
3. South Carolina (34-11, 12-9)
4. Ole Miss (33-12, 13-8)
5. Vanderbilt (33-12, 11-10)
6. Alabama (29-15, 13-8)
7. Mississippi State (28-17, 11-10)
8. Arkansas (29-18, 10-11)
9. Texas A&M (28-18, 10-11)
10. Kentucky (27-17, 9-12)
11. Auburn (25-20, 9-12)
12. Tennessee (26-16, 8-13)
13. Georgia (21-22, 7-13)
14. Missouri (20-24, 6-15)
Week 8 Previews and Predictions
Thursday, May 1 – Sunday, May 4
Arkansas at Ole Miss. The Rebels dominated Kentucky on the road last weekend and they are now tied for first in the SEC West. Ole Miss has a chance to take sole possession of first place against a struggling Arkansas team. Series Prediction: Ole Miss 3, Arkansas 0.
Mississippi State at Auburn. Both the Tigers and Bulldogs are coming off of a SEC series win last weekend, and both are looking to capitalize on that momentum. Auburn is only two games behind Mississippi State entering this series, and the Tigers are in position to qualify for the SEC Tournament. The Bulldogs have higher aspirations for this season, and a road series win over Auburn could provide the boost they need to make another College World Series run. Series Prediction: Mississippi State 2, Auburn 1.
Texas A&M at LSU. LSU took two of three games from Tennessee in Baton Rouge, although the Volunteers played well in the first two games of the series. Texas A&M nearly upset Mississippi State, but the Aggies should still make the SEC Tournament. Series Prediction: LSU 2, Texas A&M 1.
Vanderbilt at Missouri. Missouri’s struggled in its transition to the SEC in baseball, and the Tigers likely will miss the SEC Tournament this year. Vanderbilt is one of the league’s better teams, and they dominated Georgia last weekend. Series Prediction: Vanderbilt 3, Missouri 0.
South Carolina at Georgia. The Bulldogs are coming off of three bad SEC losses to Vanderbilt, while South Carolina defeated Alabama twice in Columbia. If the season ended today, Georgia would miss the SEC Tournament. The Bulldogs desperately need at least one win over the Gamecocks at home. Series Prediction: South Carolina 3, Georgia 0.
Kentucky at Tennessee. Only one game separates the Wildcats and Volunteers in the SEC East, and each team needs to avoid a sweep in this series. Ole Miss swept Kentucky last weekend, while Tennessee stole one game on the road against LSU. Series Prediction: Kentucky 2, Tennessee 1.
Series of the Week
Florida at Alabama. The Gators are the hottest team in the SEC right now and are close to clinching the SEC East. Alabama currently is tied for first in the SEC West with Ole Miss. These are two of the best teams in the SEC this season, and the best record in the league is at stake this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Series Prediction: Florida 2, Alabama 1.