The Auburn Tigers (12-3, 0-0) will make the short trip up to Huntsville, Alabama, Tuesday night for an in-state clash with the Troy Trojans (12-5, 0-0).
The Tigers have fared well in their midweek contests thus far, winning all three. The common denominator in each has been junior starting pitcher Conner McBride. All three appearances for McBride have been starts in the midweek.
The right handed pitcher from San Diego, California, has posted a 2.63 ERA through 13.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 13 batters, while only walking two. Command is crucial in games like these, and McBride has delivered so far.
He will likely get the ball for the Tigers tomorrow to face a Troy team that can really hit. The Trojans enter the game with a .309 batting average and a top 20 national ranking in doubles, home runs, runs and on-base percentage.
The lineup is led by senior infielder Ethan Kavanagh, who carries an eye popping .444 batting average. The senior has started all 17 games for Troy and has 28 hits through his 63 at-bats. The Trojans also have four other qualified hitters with a batting average above .300.
The Trojans are no stranger to power five opposition. They have already collected a series win at Indiana, and took the Alabama Crimson Tide down to the wire, ultimately losing 8-7.
Dealing with the Auburn lineup is not an easy task, but it is one that will likely be assigned to redshirt junior Garrett Gainous. Like his counterpart McBride, Gainous has seen all three of his starts come in midweek action. He has a solid ERA of 1.69, but has not gone beyond two and two-thirds innings in any of his starts, totaling just five and a third innings pitched in his three appearances.
The Tiger bats were red hot over the weekend when they took on Austin Peay. Auburn exploded for 24 runs on 15 hits and four home runs. Head coach Butch Thompson’s team has now gone yard in their last 15 games, the team’s longest streak since 2010. They will look to stay hot and extend their streak in Huntsville.
Auburn has fared well in their two trips to Toyota Field in Huntsville, going 2-0. With large support from the Auburn fan base and the close proximity of the contest, the game should have a home field feel for the Tigers.
"Getting to play in Huntsville, I think it's just good for the state of college baseball in Alabama," Thompson said. "It's been like a home game. That's been a series where once we did it one time, we're like 'we have to go to Huntsville.' There's enough people who love Auburn that they absolutely pack that stadium and create an environment. That's what we're trying to do for our guys and continue to build baseball in the state of Alabama."
Another interesting storyline in the matchup, Trojan outfielder Mike Bello will be facing off against his former team. Bello was a crucial member of the 2022 Auburn team that made it to the College World Series. He was named to the Auburn Regional All-Tournament Team after an impressive 5-for-12 weekend from the plate.
The Tuesday tilt between the Tigers and Trojans is set for 6 p.m. CT at Toyota Field. Coverage can be found on the Auburn Sports Network and the Auburn Tigers YouTube.
