Auburn Week 4 Review
The Tigers dropped a crucial weekend series on the road at Missouri and now reside at the bottom of the Southeastern Conference standings. Auburn started the series with a thrilling 11-9 win that included 17 hits, three from rightfielder Jordan Ebert. However, the Tigers dropped the next final games of the series. Auburn fell to 15-17 overall and 3-9 in conference play. AU hosts Tennessee this weekend (April 14-16).
Alabama Week 4 Review
Alabama lost a weekend road series at Kentucky, though the Crimson Tide did win the final game of the series on Sunday to avoid a sweep. In a 2-2 game in the second game of the series on Saturday, Kentucky’s Riley Mahan blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to secure a 6-2 win. Alabama fell to 19-13 overall and 6-6 in league play. The Tide hosts Ole Miss this weekend.
SEC baseball rankings
1. South Carolina (28-5, 10-2)
2. Florida (29-5, 8-4)
3. Vanderbilt (25-7, 7-5)
4. Texas A&M (24-7, 7-5)
5. Ole Miss (25-7, 6-6)
6. Mississippi State (23-9, 8-4)
7. LSU (21-10, 6-6)
8. Kentucky (22-9, 8-4)
. Alabama (19-13, 6-6)
10. Arkansas (20-12, 4-8)
11. Georgia (17-16, 4-8)
12. Missouri (19-14, 4-8)
13. Tennessee (18-14, 3-9)
14. Auburn (15-17, 3-9)
Week 5 Previews and Predictions
Tennessee at Auburn. Considering the Volunteers and the Tigers are tied for last in the SEC, this is a series both teams desperately need to win. As of today, neither team would make the SEC Tournament. Auburn has struggled mightily in league play, but a series win against Tennessee could provide a spark for the team entering the second half of the conference schedule. Series Prediction: Auburn 2, Tennessee 1.
LSU at Missouri. LSU won a weekend series over Vanderbilt, including a 13-4 rout over the Commodores in the opener. The Tigers currently are two games behind Mississippi State in the West Division and in the NCAA Tournament field. They should be able to handle this road series. Series Prediction: LSU 3, Missouri 0.
Kentucky at Vanderbilt. The Wildcats probably have been the most underrated team in the SEC this season. They have a chance to make a major statement this weekend in Nashville. The Commodores are regarded as one of the best teams in the country and probably can’t afford another series loss if they want to host a Super Regional tournament next month. Series Prediction: Vanderbilt 2, Kentucky 1.
Texas A&M at Mississippi State. Texas A&M might be ranked higher than Mississippi State, but the Aggies trail the Bulldogs in the SEC West Division standings. The West race is heating up, and these two teams have LSU and Ole Miss quickly closing in on them. Series Prediction: Mississippi State 2, Texas A&M 1.
Florida at Arkansas. The Gators currently are ranked No. 1 in the college baseball RPI, although they trail South Carolina in the SEC East by two games. Arkansas is trying to avoid being swept for the second consecutive weekend. Series Prediction: Florida 2, Arkansas 1.
Ole Miss at Alabama. With four consecutive conference wins under their belt, the Rebels might be the hottest team in the SEC. Ole Miss resided towards the bottom of the SEC West standings two weeks ago but the Rebels rallied nicely recently. Alabama is looking for a bounce back series after losing twice to Kentucky. Series Prediction: Ole Miss 2, Alabama 1.
South Carolina at Georgia. This baseball season already feels reminiscent of 2011, which culminated with South Carolina defeating Florida in the finals of the College World Series for the Gamecocks’ second straight national title. It appears South Carolina and Florida might be the best two teams in the country again, and it would not be surprising if both made the College World Series. Series Prediction: South Carolina 3, Georgia 0.
