The Auburn Tigers (16-11) are gearing up for another showdown as they prepare to complete their season series against the UAB Blazers (12-15) Wednesday at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Auburn head Coach Butch Thompson emphasized the importance of resilience and unity as the Tigers aim to bounce back from challenging matchups in the SEC.
"It's time to put the head down and get better," Thompson said. "Let's redefine what we're doing, circle the wagons and do this together. Let's be ready to play in Birmingham tomorrow night. That's probably the biggest thing we can do."
On the mound, the Tigers are expected to send R-Senior right-handed pitcher Christian Herberholz (1-1, 5.12 ERA) against UAB's freshman right-handed pitcher Brooks House (1-2, 6.48 ERA).
Auburn has demonstrated dominance in midweek games, boasting a perfect 6-0 record and outscoring opponents 50-15. Their pitching staff has held strong with a 2.42 ERA in midweek matchups, consistently limiting opponents to fewer than four runs.
Offensively, the Tigers have showcased power and speed, joining an elite group of teams with over 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. Standout players Ike Irish and Cooper McMurray have been driving forces, ranking among the top RBI leaders in the SEC.
Irish and McMurray have been particularly impressive in recent games, combining for a .538 batting average with 26 RBI over the last five outings.
Looking ahead, Auburn faces a challenging stretch with 12 of their last 15 games against top-10 opponents, underscoring the importance of every matchup in their quest for success.
The Tigers hold a commanding lead in the all-time series against UAB, boasting a 55-12 record, including a 21-9 advantage in away games. Under Coach Thompson's guidance, Auburn has continued their dominance, winning 10 out of 13 matchups against the Blazers.
As they prepare to take on UAB, Auburn remains focused on maintaining their winning momentum and solidifying their identity on the field.
UAB enters the week with a 12-15 overall record and a 1-5 mark in AAC play. Despite a tough weekend against No. 14 East Carolina, the Blazers are determined to turn the tide.
Offensively, UAB is hitting .240 as a team with 39 doubles and 18 home runs in 27 games. Graduate catcher Jake Smallwood leads the everyday players with a .282 batting average.
On the mound, the Blazers have posted a 5.78 ERA with 207 strikeouts and 109 walks in 232.0 innings pitched. As they face off against Auburn, UAB's pitching staff will look to stifle the Tigers' potent lineup and turn the tables in their favor.
As the Tigers and Blazers clash in Birmingham, both teams will be vying for victory, making it a must-watch matchup for baseball fans everywhere.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and the Auburn Sports Network.
