Baseball reset: Where Auburn stands after disappointing weekend

AUBURN | Fortunes changed quickly for No. 13 Auburn after being swept by Alabama at home last weekend. The Tigers tumbled down the polls including a nearly 20-place drop in the RPI.

Auburn went into the weekend tied for first in the SEC and on track to host an NCAA Regional with a top eight national seed a possibility. Three losses later, AU is down to No. 37 in the NCAA RPI and tied with Texas A&M for fourth in the SEC West and sixth overall in the conference.

Now, the Tigers will need to finish the regular season strong — a road game at UAB, road series at LSU and home series against Ole Miss remain — in order to have an opportunity to host a Regional.

“This is our circling the wagons,” Auburn coach Butch Thompson said. “I take full responsibility and two, we have to see this as a positive opportunity and no, ‘Woe is me.’ That’s why I want to get back on the field (Monday) to be a good leader, good energy, do this the right way and not let something like this dwell on a ball club.

“I think we’re right back out to where we’re one good win away, one good ballgame away from knowing what we’ve done the majority of the season. As soon as that can transpire, the better for us.”

Auburn hasn’t been a dominating team this season but it has been one that found different ways to win, especially in close games, overcame some key injuries and generally played above their talent and experience level.

A number of elements contributed to the three losses last weekend. Defensively, Auburn committed eight errors in the series after committing just 17 in the 21 previous conference games. AU left a total of 41 runners on base, struggling to come up with the key two-out hits that have been a big part of their success.

Injuries also played a part with shortstop Luke Jarvis, who was fourth on the team with 25 RBI, missing most of the series. His replacement, Will Holland, was 2-of-9 with two runs scored and two errors. Daniel Robert, who came into the series as Auburn’s RBI leader, was only able to pinch-hit in the 10th inning of game three, driving in a run.

Ace pitchers Keegan Thompson and Casey Mize have also seen their production dip over the last several weeks. Thompson was 4-0 with a 0.70 ERA before missing a start with shoulder soreness. In his five starts since returning, he’s 1-3 with a 3.82 ERA.

Mize missed his last two starts with tightness in his forearm before returning against the Tide. He was 6-1 with a 1.23 ERA before the injury. He allowed two runs in 6.0 innings Saturday, which corresponds to a 3.00 ERA.

“I think they can both be a little bit sharper,” Butch Thompson said. “I thought they were sharper four or five weeks ago than they are right now. For us to do what we need to do these last two weeks of conference play, our best players need to be playing at their best.

“Casey will be back to a full start coming this weekend at LSU. Keegan is throwing a little bit harder but is the quality of pitches the same?”

TEAM NOTES

** Jarvis will have his back further examined this week but is expected to travel with the team to UAB and be on the 27-man roster for the LSU series if there’s no further setback.

** Robert, who has an irritated nerve in his right elbow, is expected to be back starting in right field at some point this week, but he won’t be pitching anymore this season.

** Jeremy Johnson is hitting .391 (9-of-23) with five runs scored and eight RBI in the last six SEC games, all starts. Thompson said he’ll remain in Auburn’s starting lineup this week regardless of whether or not Robert returns to right field.

** Auburn will leave town Tuesday and not return until after the LSU series. The Tigers play at UAB 6:30 p.m. CT Tuesday night in Regions Park. Fr. There is no T.V. or video streaming available for the final non-conference game of the regular season. RHP Christian Camacho (2-2, 5.46 ERA) will start for AU. The bullpen will be limited coming off a 15-inning game against Alabama Sunday and an early start to the LSU series.

** The LSU series is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 on ESPNU, Friday at 7 p.m. on SECN+ and WatchESPN and Saturday at noon on the SEC Network. Auburn will finish the regular season with a three-game series against Ole Miss at Plainsman Park.

** Auburn rankings update: No. 13 in Baseball America, No. 14 in D1 Baseball, No. 16 in Collegiate Baseball, No. 14 in USA Today Coaches and No. 37 in NCAA RPI.