AUBURN | It’s not everyday you face the nation’s No. 1 hitter, but that’ll be the case for Auburn Friday when it takes on Central Connecticut.
The Blue Devils are led by senior Aidan Redaham, who is batting .458 with 17 doubles, nine home runs and 69 RBI. The second baseman has struck out just 11 times in 192 at-bats this season and has 27 multi-hit games.
“That is to be respected and that jumps off the page for sure,” said AU coach Butch Thompson. “We know who he is and we are aware. And when you are getting on base half the time, you have to account for that.
“We are not going to let him beat us in certain situations and try to think of every contingency. We want to execute all ballgame.”
Tasked to slow down Redaham will be sophomore right-hander Cam Tilly, who is starting for the sixth consecutive weekend.
He’s 1-2 with a 5.95 ERA in those starts but it’s usually one tough inning in each appearance that he gives up multiple runs. He’s walked 13 batters and hit seven more, which has contributed to his inconsistency.
“We believe in Cam to be able to go out and handle anybody,” said Thompson. “The feedback I get from other coaches that we’re playing against … just talking about his stuff, it’s undeniable. I think he’s growing every week and I think he gives us an amazing chance to jump out here and get us started good on the mound.”
CCSU’s aggressive offensive approach could be a good matchup for Tilly, and shift a little more responsibility to an AU defense that has performed well this season.
“I think the biggest thing that jumped off to me is I think they’re going to put the ball in play and end at-bats pretty quick,” said Thompson. “I think it was 3.1 pitches per at-bat, which is interested in getting up there and swinging the bat and putting the ball in play.”
The double-elimination Auburn Regional gets underway at 1 p.m. CT Friday with No. 2 seed N.C. State playing No. 3 seed Stetson. No. 1 seed Auburn plays No. 4 seed Central Connecticut at 6 p.m. Both games will be on ESPN+.
AUBURN REGIONAL COVERAGE
PLAINSMAN PARK PROVIDING AN EDGE
