1/13/2017 other sports Edit

Good competition in Auburn’s infield

Bryan Matthews • AuburnSports

Senior Editor

AUBURN | The competition in Auburn’s infield is heating up with four weeks until the opener against defending national champion Oklahoma.

The Tigers have to replace second-team All-American Emily Carosone at second base and third-team All-American Jade Rhodes at first.

Kasey Cooper returns at third but the SEC Player of the Year and Team USA member has been getting some work at second because of the strong play of Washington transfer Tannon Snow and sophomore Kendall Veach.

“(Veach) has had a really good spring so far,” Auburn coach Clint Myers said.

Veach played in 23 games including one start as a freshman last season. (Dakota Sumpter/Auburn athletics)

Auburn has good depth at first base with freshman Justus Perry, a finalist for Gatorade Player of the Year, also working at the position.

At second base. Myers was pleased with the play of sophomore Casey McCrackin during Thursday’s practice.

“Second base is going to be an interesting spot,” Myers said. “Today, Casey McCrackin had a great day. It was her first one but she had a great day. She drove in a couple of runs, made some nice plays, played a little shortstop. These are the kind of days we expect out of Casey. The competition is good. (Freshman) KK (Crocker) is still learning. (Junior Emily) Spain’s been very consistent over there.

“We’re even moving Coop over there. Coop is taking some reps over at second base. If Veach and Snow are both swinging the bats like they can, and they can handle the play at third base, then that’s a possibility that could happen too.”

The Tigers return Haley Fagan at shortstop, and Carlee Wallace and Courtney Shea at catcher.

Auburn opens the season Feb. 9 at the Triple Crown Tournament in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Tigers play Oklahoma and Washington Feb. 9, Nebraska Feb. 10 and BYU Feb. 11.

“Right now we’re in the learning stage of game management. Not so much learning how to play the game but what happens during the course of a game and how do I react,” Myers said. “We’re excited about what lies ahead of us. Do we have to get better? Most certainly, but we’re moving in the direction of getting better.”