By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent
Auburn Week 6 Review
The friendly confines of Plainsman Park helped guide Auburn to a series win over Ole Miss last weekend. The Tigers won the series finale at 6-5 in 10 innings after a walk-off single from Conor Davis. Davis was also the hero in Friday’s 7-4 victory over the Rebels as he hit two home runs. The wins improved Auburn to 27-14 overall and 10-8 in conference play. The Tigers travel to Nashville this weekend to take on Vanderbilt.
Alabama Week 6 Review
The Crimson Tide dropped all three games at home last weekend against Vanderbilt, including a tough 2-0 loss in the series finale. Alabama only had three hits in that loss and could not figure out Vanderbilt pitcher Patrick Raby. Brad Bohannon’s team rebounded with a 6-3 win at Jacksonville State to improve to 25-17 overall but UA is just 4-14 in the SEC. Alabama hosts LSU this weekend as the Tide look to earn a spot in the SEC Tournament down the stretch.
SEC baseball rankings
1. Arkansas (31-10, 12-6)
2. Mississippi State (33-9, 10-8)
3. Georgia (33-9, 13-5)
4. Vanderbilt (31-9, 12-6)
5. Texas A&M (30-12-1, 11-6-1)
6. LSU (27-15, 11-7)
7. Auburn (24-13, 8-7)
8. Ole Miss (27-15, 10-8)
9. Florida (26-17, 7-11)
10. Missouri (27-15-1, 7-10-1)
11. Tennessee (31-11, 9-9)
12. South Carolina (24-17, 5-13)
13. Kentucky (21-20, 4-14)
14. Alabama (24-17, 4-14)
Week 7 Previews and Predictions
Series of the Week: Georgia at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs went into last weekend’s series at Arkansas with the lead in the SEC West Division but relinquished that lead after being swept by the Razorbacks. Despite the losses, Mississippi State remains one of the best teams in the country. MSU has the opportunity to prove as much this weekend as the Bulldogs host a Georgia team fresh off of a sweep over Missouri. Series Prediction: Mississippi State 2, Georgia 1.
Kentucky at Florida. Despite being two of the best programs in the league over the last several years, neither the Wildcats nor the Gators appear to be conten-ders this season. Florida is likely destined for the postseason but must avoid losing the series to Kentucky. The Wildcats are tied for last place and need at least one win to have a chance to reach the SEC Tournament. Series Prediction: Florida 3, Kentucky 0.
LSU at Alabama. After being swept by Vanderbilt, the Crimson Tide baseball team is in desperate need of victories. Alabama is tied with Kentucky for last place in the SEC and one game behind South Carolina. The last two teams in the league are left out of the conference tournament, but it’s still possible for Alabama to navigate out of the bottom of the league. LSU visits Tuscaloosa this weekend, and Alabama needs at least one win. Series Prediction: LSU 2, Alabama 1.
Tennessee at Arkansas. The Razorbacks’ sweep over Mississippi State gave them a one-game lead in the SEC West, and they are starting to look like the team that finished second in the country a season ago. Arkansas’ schedule doesn’t get any easier, as a red-hot Tennessee team visits Fayetteville in what should be one of the best matchups in the country this weekend. Series Prediction: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1.
South Carolina at Missouri. With just four series remaining, neither team from Columbia feels confident about their current situation. South Carolina is only a game out of last place in the league, while Missouri is under .500 in the SEC. That makes this weekend’s series even more important, and this could be a turning point in the season for the winner. Prediction: Missouri 2, South Carolina 1.
Texas A&M at Ole Miss. Both the Rebels and Aggies are in the mix near the top of the SEC West and among the best teams in the country. Ole Miss returns home after losing a series at Auburn, while Texas A&M took two of the three games on the road at South Carolina. The Rebels have been more inconsistent in recent weeks, so this is a more important series for them as Texas A&M visits Oxford. Series Prediction: Ole Miss 2, Texas A&M 1.
Auburn at Vanderbilt. While Auburn has been one of the best teams in the SEC this season, the Tigers have struggled to win on the road. AU is only 9-7 on the road and will take on one of the best teams in college baseball this weekend in Nashville. Vanderbilt just swept Alabama in Tuscaloosa and has not lost a home series all year. Series Prediction: Vanderbilt 3, Auburn 0.