Tigers Tabbed by NFL

Rudi Johnson

AUBURN -- The dream of playing in the National Football League is still alive for five former Auburn players as the free agent hunt is on and one of the stops for NFL teams was Auburn, Ala.

Quarterback Ben Leard, wide receiver Ronney Daniels, cornerbacks Rodney Crayton and Larry Casher along with offensive lineman Colin Sears all are expected to sign free agent deals, giving Auburn eight former players in pro mini-camps that begin next week.

For Leard and Daniels it will be like old times as the two will make the same trip to Foxboro, Mass., to join the New England Patriots for camp next week. Daniels steps into a good situation with the Pats as they don't have a lot of proven talent at the receiver spots other than Troy Brown, Terry Glenn and Tony Simmons. With his tendency for big plays and a big, strong frame, it wouldn't be surprising to see Daniels earn some playing time soon in the tough AFC East.

Daniels was one of the hottest players in the country after a freshman season that saw him catch 56 passes for 1,058 yards and nine touchdowns. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't match those numbers as a sophomore as the Tigers found a running game and didn't have to depend on him to make the big plays. He finished the year with respectable numbers (34 catches for 378 yards and three TDs) but didn't show the flashes of brilliance there as a freshman. If he can recapture the magic, the Patriots will have gotten a steal.

Leard, on the other hand, has his work cut out for him. Not only does he have perennial Pro Bowler Drew Bledsoe to contend with, the Patriots also have former Kansas State signal caller Michael Bishop on board as well as NFL veteran John Friesz and former Michigan signal-caller Tom Brady. This will be a good learning experience for Leard and, if he can make the top three on this list, it will go a long way towards him making a living playing the sport he loves.

The Hartwell, Ga., native came into his own as a junior when he threw for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns in a surprising showing from a player that just seemed to have found the secret to success as a quarterback. Although his numbers were bigger in his senior season because of playing in more games, he didn't have the efficiency he had shown the year before when his touchdown to interception ratio was a mind-boggling 12-1. He threw for 2,158 yards and 12 touchdowns, but also tossed 10 inteceptions. With the mind and poise to handle himself in any situation, Leard could challenge for the third spot if he can keep the mistakes to a minimum in the chances he'll get before next year.

The other player besides Daniels in a good situation is Casher. Picked up by the San Francisco 49ers, a team in desperate need of defensive help, Casher will have only four other corners currently on the roster to contend with. Starters Jason Webster and Ahmed Plummer return, but the two only combined for two interceptions all of last season. Their back-ups return as well, but didn't see much playing time. If Casher can recapture that confidence he showed until late in his senior season, he could surprise the coaching staff with his cover ability.

The two players in tough spots to make teams are Crayton and Sears. Going to the defending NFC champion New York Giants, Crayton will not only have starters Dave Thomas and Jason Sehorn to contend with, he'll also have Will Allen and William Peterson in camp as well. The first two draft choices by the Giants on Saturday, Allen and Peterson, will have the leg up on Crayton because of their draft position. However, don't count out Crayton just yet. Anyone that has come back from major injuries and persevered like he did will always have a chance because of desire and no one has more than the little corner from Dadeville.

Sears heads to the "Big D" to join perhaps the best offensive line in football. With Pro Bowl regular Larry Allen anchoring the guard position along with Flozell "The Hotel" Adams, Sears will be hard pressed to break into the starting lineup with those two in front. However, he doesn't have as much competition for one of the backup spots as former LSU lineman Al Jackson and Kelvin Garmon are the only two holdovers from last year's squad. The Cowboys did draft Virginia Tech lineman Matt Lehr to join the ranks, making quite a battle for the final offensive line roster spots.

At this time no other former players have received invitations to NFL Training Camps.

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The preseason football guide, which comes out once a year each summer, is the most in-depth look at the Auburn football team. It includes profiles on all key players, features on players and coaches and loads of recruiting information.

April 25, 2001

Auburn Crunches UAB

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- The 30-12 Auburn baseball Tigers used an eight-run bottom half of the seventh inning to club the UAB Blazers (22-20) 15-3 on a cool spring Wednesday night at Plainsman Park.

Brent Speigner picked up his first win of the season by pitching three innings and allowing just four hits and one run while striking out one. Trent Pratt was the hitting star of the night for Auburn with a 3-3 night, including two singles in the seventh, as the Tigers took care of business in their last non-conference home game of the season.

The Tigers now turn their attention to the South Carolina Gamecocks this weekend in a big three-game series in Columbia.

³We started the game just trying to piece it together,² Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe said about his pitching rotation during Wednesday¹s game. ³Brent Speigner did a good job, (Blake) Gordon did a good job, (Andrew) Skinner did okay and that was kind of the game.

³We didn¹t really give them anything except for one inning and then we had good at-batsŠI didn¹t know if we would score tonight, that was really what I was questioning. But, we had good, mature at-bats and their attitude was great. They were loose and yet respectful. They knew the position we are in and they are excited about going to South Carolina.²

Coming into the game not really knowing the status of pitcher Hayden Gliemmo for the remainder of the season because of a sore left elbow, the Auburn coaching staff needed some innings out of a few pitchers who hadn¹t been able to carry the load to this point. Combining to allow just nine hits while striking out six, the threesome of Speigner, Gordon and Skinner did exactly what was needed of them.

Speigner said he was just glad to get some work in following a quiet season to this point. ³I felt pretty good,² he said. ³I was working on something. Coach Renfroe and Coach (Mark) Fuller worked with me trying to get my arm down lower and I was mainly trying to concentrate on that and throw strikes and get everything worked out. I felt pretty good, I got a little erratic a few times but overall I felt pretty good.²

Looking to get some work in for some guys and rest a few others, the Tigers could have taken this game lightly and had some good excuses do so, but they didn¹t. Striking early and often with precision, Auburn jumped on the visiting Blazers and never really let up on a team that entered the contest with a 4-1 record against SEC opponents, including two wins over in-state rival Alabama. However, this game was put out of reach with a big rally in the seventh.

Leading 7-3 going to the bottom half of the inning, the Tigers were looking to end this game early with a mercy rule decision. Pratt, who was the designated hitter on Wednesday, got things started with a single to right field and catcher Adam Faust, taking over for Bobby Huddleston, followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and second.

Shortstop Jonathan Schuerholz was next to follow suit with a single of his own that scored Pratt from second and moved Faust all the way to third. After a Schuerholz steal of second base, second baseman Jon Tyler walked to load the bases.

Javon Moran was due up next and the freshman drew a walk to force in the second run of the inning. Reserve outfielder Lynn Shoop was hit by a pitch next, forcing home yet another run. Left fielder Gabe Gross continued the trend by walking home Tyler from third. Todd Faulkner then bounced to the third baseman, who threw wildly to home and Moran scored to give the Tigers a nine-run lead.

After the Blazers finally got the first out of the inning, Pratt singled yet again to score Shoop giving the Tigers a 10-run lead. Faust mercifully ended the game with his second single of the inning to Gross and Faulkner to make the final 15-3.

The Tigers got ahead early with a Scott Schade RBI double in the first and after UAB tied the game in the top of the second, they jumped out even further by scoring four runs in the next two innings thanks to some clutch hits.

In the second a Pratt single again jump started the offense. Following a Huddleston walk and Schuerholz reaching on a fielder¹s choice, Tyler walked to load the bases. Moran then singled to short to score a run and the bases were still loaded. The final run of the inning would score on a failed pick-off attempt and the Tigers led 3-1.

Auburn added two more in the third on singles by Huddleston and Schuerholz and one each in the fifth and sixth as they dominated the Blazers in every phase of the game to defeat them for the 23rd time in 25 tries in Auburn.

The Tigers return to action Friday at 6 p.m. CDT when they play the first of three games against South Carolina in Columbia. Saturday the teams play at 3 p.m and Sunday afternoon¹s first pitch is set for 12:30. There is no television coverage for the weekend.

April 26, 2001

Road Trip For Baseball Tigers

Steve Renfroe

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Tigers are back in the Top 25 as they face another nationally ranked team, the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Riding a streak of 11 wins in their last 12 SEC baseball games, the 24th-ranked Auburn Tigers (30-12, 11-10) travel to Sarge Frye Field in Columbia, S.C., to take on the 17th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (32-13, 10-11) in a key three-game series with serious post-season implications on the line.

Entering the weekend the Tigers have lost 10 straight games at the hands of the Gamecocks.

“We’re excited about having a chance to get back in this thing,” says Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe. “We played very well this weekend and I thought the pitching this weekend is what really set the tone for us and got our guys excited. They got out of jams and I think that’s what turned the corner for us this weekend.

“We’ll go to, I think, one of the toughest places in the country to play,” Renfroe adds. “South Carolina has created an atmosphere like LSU and Florida State. I look at their starting pitchers and their closer and it’s as good as anybody in the league. Teams are hitting .237 against South Carolina and that’s pretty significant.”

People sometimes say stats don’t lie, but in this case they are misleading. South Carolina has the numbers of a first-place team, but the Gamecocks are actually one game under .500 in league play. Leading the league in home runs with 71, fielding percentage at .973 and second in team ERA at 3.39, the Gamecocks would appear to be the perfect college baseball team because power and pitching will win you games. This could be, perhaps, the first sign that things are changing slightly in college baseball as those qualities haven’t equaled success for the Gamecocks this season like in the years past.

Although their record isn’t stellar it doesn’t mean this team isn’t very dangerous. With probably the best starting rotation in the league with All-American Kip Bouknight, Gary Bell and Chris Spigner to go along possibly the league’s and nation’s best closer in Lee Gronkiewicz (11 saves), South Carolina can dominate on the mound at any time. That makes the Gamecocks extremely dangerous.

At the plate the name of the game is power for the Gamecocks. Tim Whittaker, Marcus McBeth and Bryon Jeffcoat all have more than 11 home runs on the year for a team that relies heavily on the long ball. Leadoff man McBeth is one of the most dangerous players in the entire league. In addition to his 11 home runs, the speedy center fielder also has 105 total bases, 17 doubles and possesses what SEC coaches voted the best arm in the league that helps keep runners in check while he’s on defense.

There is no question who have been the offensive catalysts for Auburn during its current 11-1 stretch in SEC play. Senior center fielder Mailon Kent is hitting .434 in that span, including a 10-14 weekend against Alabama that earned him the SEC Player of the Week. Despite a weekend that saw him go hitless against Alabama, left fielder Gabe Gross is batting .425 over the last 12 SEC games. Gross and Kent have helped lead a resurrected offense to new heights this season. Against Alabama the team scored 22 runs in three games with 15 of those coming with two outs in an inning.

On the mound the Tigers will be without the services of senior left-hander Hayden Gliemmo. Suffering with the same ulner collateral ligament sprain that he went through last season, Gliemmo will likely rest the elbow a couple of weeks before trying to give it another go late in the year. If he’s able to handle the pain, he could be an important piece of the pitching rotation as the Tigers continue their push for post-season play.

Without Gliemmo to depend on, the Tiger pitching staff is going to be made up of almost entirely underclassmen. In game one Friday at 6 p.m. CDT the Tigers will send sophomore Levale Speigner (7-1, 2.51 ERA) to the mound against Bouknight (7-2, 4.24 ERA) as the Tigers try to win the momentum-building Friday night game.

On Saturday at 3 p.m. Auburn freshman Cory Dueitt (3-1, 3.20 ERA) will get his first start in SEC play and will face Bell, who’s 8-4 on the year with a 3.09 ERA.

Sunday at 12:30 p.m. AU freshman Colby Paxton (3-2, 2.54 ERA) will make his second SEC start against the junior right-hander Spigner, who’s 6-3 on the year with a 3.50 ERA.

Something to look for this weekend will be low scoring games. With both pitching staffs good at keeping the opponents in check, these games could come down to a single play here or there. If that’s the case the Tigers could be in good shape because they have been delivering in the clutch during their current hot streak. There is no television coverage of the series.

May 1, 2001

SEC Does Well In NFL Draft

Rudi Johnson

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The National Football League talent scouts are harvesting a bumper crop of players from the Southeastern Conference.

The Southeastern Conference and Big 10 led all conferences with 40 players selected in the seven rounds of the 2001 National Football League draft.
The Big 12 was third with 30 players drafted and was followed by the Pac-10 with 24, the Atlantic Coast Conference with 21 and the Big East with 18.
The underachieving Georgia Bulldogs led the SEC with six players drafted. UGA was followed by Tennessee with five. Florida, Missississippi State and Vanderbilt had four players selected. Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, LSU and Ole Miss each had three players taken. There were two Arkansas Razorbacks drafted and nobody from South Carolina was chosen.
Five SEC players were taken in round one, eight in the second, seven in the third, five in the fourth, three in the fifth, seven in the
sixth and five in the seventh.
Auburn fullback Heath Evans was taken in the third round by the Seahawks, tailback Rudi Johnson was a fourth round pick by the Bengals and linebacker Alex Lincoln was chosen by the 49ers in round seven. The following is a list of SEC players chosen by
round:
FIRST ROUND
(Selection in Round/Overall Selection)
3/3 - Browns - Gerard Warren, DT, Florida
6/6 - Patriots - Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia
13/13 - Jaguars - Marcus Stroud, DT, Georgia
14/14 - Buccaneers - Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida
23/23 - Saints - Deuce McAllister, RB, Ole Miss
SECOND ROUND
8/39 - Steelers - Kendrell Bell, LB, Georgia
9/40 - Seahawks - Ken Lucas, CB, Ole Miss
14/45 - Redskins - Fred Smoot, CB, Miss. State
16/47 - 49ers - Jamie Winborn, LB, Vanderbilt
22/53 - Cowboys - Quincy Carter, QB, Georgia
24/55 - Eagles - Quinton Caver, LB, Arkansas
25/56 - Cowboys - Tony Dixon, S, Alabama
27/58 - Bills - Travis Henry, RB, Tennessee
THIRD ROUND
1/63 - Eagles - Derrick Burgess, DE, Ole Miss
7/69 - Vikings - Eric Kelly, CB, Kentucky
11/73 - Jaguars - Eric Westmoreland, OLB, Tennessee
19/81 - Saints - Kenny Smith, DT, Alabama
20/82 - Seahawks - Heath Evans, FB, Auburn
31/93 - Cowboys - Willie Blade, DT, Miss. State
33/95 - Bills - Jonas Jennings, OT, Georgia
FOURTH ROUND
5/100 - Bengals - Rudi Johnson, RB, Auburn
6/101 - Jets - Jamie Henderson, CB, Georgia
7/102 - Falcons - Matt Stewart, OLB, Vanderbilt
30/125 - Giants - Jesse Palmer, QB, Florida
33/128 - Seahawks - Pork Chop Womack, OG, Miss. State
FIFTH ROUND
11/142 - Jaguars - David Leaverton, P, Tennessee
25/156 - Dolphins - Shawn Draper, OT, Alabama
29/160 - Giants - John Markham, PK, Vanderbilt
SIXTH ROUND
1/164 - Dolphins - Brandon Winey, OT, LSU
4/167 - Falcons - Randy Garner, DE, Arkansas
6/169 - 49ers - Cedrick Wilson, WR, Tennessee
9/172 - Seahawks - Josh Booty, QB, LSU
20/183 - Buccaneers - Ellis Wyms, DE, Miss. State
33/196 - Bills - Jimmy Williams, CB, Vanderbilt
35/198 - Packers - David Martin, WR, Tennessee
SEVENTH ROUND
8/208 - Bears - John Capel, WR, Florida
9/209 - 49ers - Alex Lincoln, LB, Auburn
11/211 - Panthers - Louis Williams, OG, LSU
33/233 - Jaguars - Marlon McCree, LB, Kentucky
36/236 - Falcons - Quentin McCord, WR, Kentucky

May 02, 2001

Baseball Tigers Bomb Blazers

Steve Renfroe

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Auburn tuned up for the weekend SEC series vs. Florida with a victory over the UAB Blazers.

Birmingham, Ala.--The Tigers won their second consecutive baseball game to improve to 32-14 with a 12-2 victory mercy rule victory at UAB on Tuesday night in the last regularly scheduled non-conference game of the season.

Auburn also outscored the Blazers last Wednesday at Plainsman Park, taking a 15-3 mercy rule victory that night. UAB's record drops to 22-24 as the Tigers improved their mark to 37-9 in the all-time series. Auburn has won 21 of its last 23 baseball games against UAB.

Auburn jumped on the home team early with four runs in the top of the fourth and four more in the third and was never seriously challenged. Brent Speigner, the starter, and four other Tigers combined to allow the Blazers just four hits.

"I thought Brent Speigner was really good tonight," Coach Steve Renfroe said. "He's gotten better each outing and we were able to get some other guys work on the mound."

Freshman Javon Moran started the first inning rally with a leadoff single and then stole second and third base before scoring on a failed pick-off attempt by UAB pitcher Rob Caputo.

Junior Gabe Gross then reached base on an error and senior first baseman Todd Faulkner singled before Scott Schade doubled to left to score Gross from second. Faulkner scored on Justin Christian's grounder and Schade scored on Bobby Huddleston's single to center.

The Tigers' four-run third inning came on two just hits with the aid of two Blazer errors. Mailon Kent had the only RBI of the inning.

Auburn stretched the margin to 9-0 in the fourth inning on doubles by Scott Schade and Trent Pratt.

UAB scored an unearned run in the fifth off of relief pitcher Marshall Watts. Huddleston's RBI single to score Pratt from second base gave the Tigers a 10-1 lead in the top of the sixth.

UAB scored its other run in the sixth inning on Mark Garner's RBI single scoring Brandon Isbell off of AU pitcher Andrew Skinner.

Pratt gave Auburn a 10-run lead in the eighth with a two-run, homer to right-center field, his sixth of the season. It was his third hit of the night. Schade also had three hits for the Tigers, who totaled 13 hits. The 10-run mercy rule was invoked after the Blazers couldn't score in their half of the eighth.

Auburn starter Brent Speigner went three innings allowing no runs on two hits with three strikeouts. Reliever Brandon Luna (3-3) was credited with the win, allowing a walk in one inning of scoreless ball in the fourth. Watts, Skinner and relief ace Eric Brandon also pitched. Brandon, who has struggled in recent games, allowed no runs or hits in one inning.

Caputo (2-5) picked up the loss in 2 2/3 innings as he gave up eight runs on six hits and five walks. Adam Woods pitched 5 1/3 innings in relief and gave up four runs and seven hits.

Auburn has a 9-1 record this season against in-state opposition-3-0 vs. Alabama, 2-0 vs. UAB and Troy State, 1-0 vs. Samford and 1-1 vs. South Alabama.

Auburn returns to action on Friday with a 6:30 p.m. start to begin a three-game SEC series vs. the Florida Gators. There will be a fireworks show following the game. The Tigers and Gators will play again on Saturday at 3 p.m. and the 1:30 p.m. Sunday contest is the last game scheduled at Plainsman Park this season.

Box Score May 02, 2001

Tuberville Challenges Tigers

Statistics

There will be television coverage this weekend as both the Friday and Sunday games will be shown live on the Sunshine Network. Sunday's game will also be shown live by College Sports Southeast. CSSE will also replay Friday night's game at both 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday. Friday night's game will be followed by a fireworks show that will originate from just behind the right field wall approximately 10 minutes after the end of the game.

May 4, 2001

Speigner Leads AU Past Gators

Levale Speigner

AUBURN, Ala. -- Sophomore Levale Speigner led the Tigers to a victory over the Florida Gators with 8 1/3 strong innings on the mound.

Sophomore Levale Speigner came up two outs shy of picking up his first collegiate shutout, but that was about the only thing lacking in his Friday night performance.

With the right-hander keeping the hot-hitting Florida Gators off the scoreboard for eight innings, he improved his record to 8-1 as the Tigers took a 5-2 SEC baseball victory. The win moved AU into a tie with the Gators in league play at 13-12. Auburn is now 32-14 while Florida fell to 29-21.

Auburn coach Steve Renfroe says he probably allowed his No. 1 starter to stay in the game one batter too many as the Gators scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning before freshman Eric Brandon got the call from the bullpen and set down two batters to end the threat and the game.

"I guess I ran out of gas at the end and couldn't finish it off," says Speigner, who admits he talked Renfroe into leaving him in the game after the coach went to the mound for the first time in the ninth inning with two runners on base and the score 5-1. "I told him I could get two more guys and I thought I could. I think they knew I really wanted the game and let me stay in as long as I could."

Renfroe says he was impressed with what he saw from Speigner. "I really went out to get him the first time and he talked me out of it. That is how smart I am. He said, 'Coach, I am not coming out.' He had good stuff. It was not like he was laboring and they were just drilling him. He made one bad pitch and the kid hit it in the corner (for a double), but the other balls were kind of jam shots."

With the importance of the game as Auburn battles to become one of the top eight teams for the SEC Tournament and the fact that Florida is such a tough hitting team, Renfroe says that Friday night's effort was the best to date from Speigner. "They can really swing it," Renfroe says of the Gators. "They are dangerous."

Speigner agrees that it was his best collegiate performance, especially considering it was the Gators, who featured eight .300-plus hitters in the starting lineup. (One slacker was hitting .297.)

The game began as a pitcher's duel between Speigner and Gator right-hander Keith Brice, who lasted until two outs remained in the bottom of the sixth inning with the bases loaded. He gave up seven hits and two earned runs.

Auburn struck first with a single run in the third inning. Number eight hitter Brett Burnham smacked a leadoff single. With one out, Jovan Moran followed with a line drive to left field putting runners on first and second.

That set the table for Auburn's hottest hitter, Mailon Kent, to drive home Burnham with a liner past the pitcher's mound into center. In pre-game ceremonies honoring the seniors, Kent and Hayden Gliemmo received awards from the Auburn Baseball Letterman's Club as the top seniors on the 2001 team.

The Gators got out of the third inning without any more damage as Gabe Gross hit a fly ball to left field, Todd Faulkner reached base on an infield single on a nice play by shortstop Kevin Estrada to prevent another run from scoring. Scott Schade was thrown out at first on a ground ball to second base to end the inning.

Florida's Brice pitched out of a jam in the fifth inning after giving up a leadoff single to Jonathan Schuerholz and then walking Moran. However, the sixth inning was the end of the line as Schade started the rally with a leadoff single to left that was misplayed into two bases by left fielder Aaron Davidson.

Justin Christian added to the rally by putting a bunt down the third base line. UF third baseman Pat Osborn was so intent on holding the Schade at second base that he didn't make the play at first on Christian and Auburn had two men aboard with no outs.

Catcher Trent Pratt then smashed a sharp single to left. The crowd groaned when third base coach Renfroe held Schade at third because Davidson muffed the ball as he raced in to make a play at the plate. However, the ball didn't get far enough away from the left fielder for Schade to restart and make a move to the plate.

Burnham then hit a weak popup to first base for the first out, but then things got really interesting after that. Schuerholz brought the 3,192 fans to their feet by hitting a towering fly ball to the base of the Green Monster in left. The ball looked like it might leave the park for a grand slam, however, it dropped into the glove of Davidson. who looked like a Little Leaguer again as he dropped the ball allowing Schade and Christian to score.

Up 3-0, the Tigers weren't done yet. After Moran hit a bouncer to the pitcher, who cut down Pratt at the plate on a close call, Brice compounded his problems by walking Kent to load the bases. That was the end of his night as Jay Bellflower got the call to face power hitter Gabe Gross. However, the Auburn slugger got an RBI the easy way on four straight balls to make the score 4-0 as Schuerholz scored. Another walk to Faulkner scored Moran to make the score 5-0.

The Gators finally got to Speigner in the ninth inning after one out. He gave up a single, double and another single before Renfroe came out for the first time. Another single, a seeing-eye ground ball up the middle, ended the starter's night even though none of the balls was hit hard except the double. Brandon closed the game by getting two straight popup outs.

Kent says he was impressed with the job Speigner did vs. the Gators. "Pitching eight innings of scoreless ball against Florida is unbelievable the way they hit the ball," Kent says. "They came in to the weekend at the top of the league in hitting and had been really killing the ball the last couple of weekends."

Kent says the win was a big one for his team. "The trend has been whoever wins the Friday night game wins the series. This should help us come out relaxed and ready to play on Saturday."

Mailon Kent bats vs.the Gators.

The Tigers and Gators resume the series on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. The teams will also play Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

In other Friday SEC action, South Carolina dumped Kentucky 11-0, Alabama stayed two games behind Auburn by upsetting Mississippi State 8-1, Arkansas stunned LSU 8-1, Georgia edged Vandy 5-4 and Tennessee nipped Ole Miss 5-4.

Auburn, Florida and South Carolina are all 13-12 in the league and trail LSU (17-8), Ole Miss (16-9) and Georgia (16-9) plus Tennessee (14-11) and Mississippi State (14-11). The top eight teams go to the SEC Tournament. Alabama is ninth at 11-14.

Levale Speigner pitches Friday night vs. the Gators.

Box Score

May 5, 2001

Gators Win Baseball Series

Auburn third baseman Shane Burnham.

AUBURN, Ala. -- Florida took the series finale to win the series at Plainsman Park, two games to one.

Florida pitchers Alex Hart and Jay Belflower combined to allow the Auburn Tigers just four hits as the Gators won 5-2 Sunday to take the final two games of a three-game SEC baseball series.

Auburn dropped the game despite a solid performance from freshman pitcher Cory Dueitt. The Hoover native threw seven and one/third innings and gave up just seven hits and four runs as Auburn failed in its attempt to get a game closer to wrapping up an SEC Tournament berth.

"It was just a battle," said Dueitt. "Their pitcher was on, he was pitching well. You could tell early in the game that it was going to be a close, low scoring game. I just tried to go out there and keep it close and give us a chance to come back late in the game, but it didn't work out for us. We got up to the plate and battled but nothing really went our way."

Never was that more evident than in the first inning, an inning that set the tone for the entire game. After the Gators had taken an early 1-0 lead on a Mark Kiger single, the Tigers looked like they were going to blow the game open themselves when Javon Moran reached on an error and promptly stole second base to put the pressure on Florida with the league's hottest hitter coming to bat.

With 16 hits in his last 22 at-bats in home SEC games, senior Mailon Kent has been the player that has carried this Auburn team in its time of need. This wasn't to be his day, however, as Hart came too far inside on a 2-2 pitch and it hit him on the helmet just behind his left ear. Dazed and suffering a slight concussion, Kent was forced to leave the game and was replaced by senior Hayden Gliemmo.

Auburn would go on to score a run on a fielder's choice by Trent Pratt, but left the bases loaded when Justin Christian popped out to second base to end the inning. It would be the last time the Tigers really threatened until the eighth inning as losing Kent seemed to take the steam out of an already struggling Auburn lineup.

"You can't replace Mailon," said Auburn first baseman Todd Faulkner. "He catches everything in the outfield and he's on fire hitting, so who knows how it might have turned out if he was there but he wasn't and that's how things are."

With the game tied at one, this one turned into a pitching duel. Both Dueitt and Hart controlled things during the middle innings and heading to the sixth inning, it was still a 1-1 game. That's when things began to unravel a little for Auburn.

A lead-off bunt single by Gator shortstop Kevin Estrada got a rally started. After moving to second on a passed ball and watching Aaron Davidson get hit by a pitch, both runners moved up a base on a Kiger groundout to Faulkner at first bringing the powerful Jason Dill to the plate. Playing the percentages, Auburn put Dill on intentionally to load the bases for right fielder Peter Nystrom. The former Clemson Tiger grounded into a 3-2 fielder's choice for the second out and things looked a little brighter for Dueitt, but it wouldn't last long as Matt Goss singled to right to score two runs and Florida had a 3-1 lead.

With Hart tiring a little on the hill, Florida went to Belflower in the sixth to try to keep the Tigers at bay. He did that and more as he brought his 90-plus miles per hour fastball to the mound and continuously used it to keep the Auburn hitters from getting a good swing on the pitch. With their go-to guy on the mound in control of the situation, the Gators added an insurance run in both the eight and ninth innings off Auburn reliever Eric Brandon to close the door on this one.

The Tigers did manage a single run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Scott Schade, but that was as close as they would get as a 5-4-3 Moran double play in the ninth killed the Auburn rally as the Tigers lost a series after winning the Friday night game for the first time since doing the same against Alabama in 1997.

Now Auburn must travel to Baton Rouge to take on a angry group of LSU Tigers, fresh off a series sweep at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks. With postseason aspirations on the line in just about every SEC stadium next weekend, the Tigers need two wins in Red Stick to secure a berth at the Hoover Met. Otherwise they will need some help to guarantee a spot in the eight-team field. Junior left fielder Gabe Gross said the Tigers know exactly what is facing them and they're ready for the challenge.

"It's going to be his last home stand," Gross said of LSU head coach Skip Bertman. "The last weekend is usually big, whether you're trying to win the SEC Championship or make the tournament or whatever it is, it's going to come down to the last series. That's something we've known all year. We've kind of put our backs against the wall and we've got to come out fighting."

Box Score

Heading into the final weekend of play Auburn leads Alabama by just one game and Arkansas by two games. With those two playing in Tuscaloosa next weekend, Auburn is in the tournament with a combined two Tiger wins or Alabama losses. If Auburn doesn't get a victory in Baton Rouge, Alabama must still win two games to earn the final spot. Needless to say, the final weekend in SEC baseball is anything but boring.

May 5, 2001

Magic Number At Two For Tigers

Outfielder Jovan Moran

AUBURN, Ala. -- Despite losing game two of the series to the Gators, Auburn is just two wins away from clinching a berth in the SEC Baseball Tournament.

Auburn had won a dozen consecutive home baseball games before seeing that streak bite the dust on Saturday at Plainsman Park as the Florida Gators used a dozen hits against five Auburn pitchers to take a 10-6 victory.

That evens the series at 1-1 and leaves the Tigers even in the SEC with a Baker's Dozen wins and the same number of losses at 13-13. The Gators improved their record to 14-12 in the conference on a beautiful spring afternoon on the AU campus.

Trent Pratt bats for the Tigers in Saturday's game.

Not all of the news was bad for the Tigers. Despite the loss, Auburn's magic number dropped to two to reach the 2001 SEC Tournament in Hoover with Alabama losing at Mississippi State on Saturday. (Any combination of Auburn victories and Bama losses that total two and AU has qualified for postseason play.)

Auburn has four games remaining on the schedule. On Sunday the Tigers end their home season vs. the Gators and then travel to LSU next weekend. Bama closes its season next weekend at home vs. Arkansas after playing at Mississippi State on Sunday.

Although Auburn had just a half dozen hits off a pair of control-challenged Gator left-handers, the Tigers had plenty of opportunities to get more than the half dozen runs they put on the scoreboard at Hitchcock Field. The Gators walked eight Tigers, but the key statistic was a dozen Auburn runners left on base.

"We didn't play very well," said Auburn coach Steve Renfroe. "That is basically the bottom line. We weren't real sharp and they were...They outpitched us, they outhit us, they outran us and they outcoached us."

Renfroe plans to send freshman Corey Dueitt to the mound on Sunday. He is 3-2 with a 4.08 earned run average. The Gators will counter with Alex Hart, a sophomore right-hander who is 2-2 with a 7.18 earned run average.

Senior first baseman Todd Faulkner, who will likely be playing his final game at Plainsman Park on Sunday, said that he hopes the AU hitters show up early and often. "They are great team and it is important to get off to a good start."

Faulkner says he wishes his team had some cushion going into the final four games in its quest to qualify for postseason play, but admits the competition is exciting. "It definitely makes it fun," he says. "I would rather be in a position where we didn't have to worry about it, but we have battled hard from where we came at the first of the season. We are starting to get used to it. Everyday you are fighting for your life."

The Gators never led on Friday, but didn't take long to move in front on Saturday with three runs in the top of the first inning off of Colby Paxton. Aaron Davidson got the rally started with a one-out single, one of three in the inning to go with a walk.

Auburn responded in the bottom half of the inning with a two-out RBI double by Faulkner, scoring Mailon Kent who had reached on a walk and advanced to second when Gabe Gross was thrown out on a ground ball. Faulkner drilled a line drive into the left center field gap, but that is all of the damage Auburn could do. Gator pitcher Jimmy Ramshaw could have been in bigger trouble had he not picked off Javon Moran, the leadoff hitter, who opened with an infield hit.

Paxton shut down the Gators one, two, three in the second inning but ran into more trouble in the top of the third inning. A throwing error by Scott Schade at third base put Mark Kiger on board. He scored with one out on a ground ball single by Matt Goss, however, despite an ever-moving strike zone by umpire Gary Short, the Auburn freshman got out of further trouble with a strikeout and ground out.

Auburn had a chance to get that run back or more in the bottom of the third when Gross doubled into the K-Korner with one out and Faulkner followed with a walk. However, Ramshaw got out of the trouble by striking out Schade and forcing Christian into a groundout to Pat Osborn at third.

Ramshaw walked Trent Pratt to start the bottom of the fourth and after getting Burnham to fly to right, he walked Jonathan Schuerholz for his sixth base on balls of the game. He paid for his lack of control when Kent drilled a two-out line drive single to left field to score the runners, who had advanced a base after Moran grounded out to the first baseman Aaron Sobieraj. Gross kept the rally alive and moved Kent to second base with a line drive single into right field.

Faulkner brought the crowd of 3,174 to its feet and gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead with a line drive that hit the K-Korner wall in right on the hop. A sliding Gross beat the throw to the plate to give the Tigers their first lead of the afternoon. Ramshaw survived the inning by getting Schade to fly out to shallow right field.

The Gators wasted no time in regaining the lead by chasing Paxton in the top of the fifth inning on a two-run homer center fielder Matt Goss. Brent Speigner finished the inning before giving way to Andrew Skinner, who started the sixth inning.

After a scoreless sixth inning, the Gators stretched the lead to 8-5 with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. Skinner started the inning on the mound and was pulled in favor of Brandon Luna, who entered the game with one and runners on first and second. After a balk put both runners in scoring position, Sobieraj singled home both runners. Luna then hit Brian Rose and was pulled by Renfroe, who called on Marshall Watts. He got the Tigers out of a jam despite an error on a slow roller to Faulkner at first.

In the bottom of the seventh, releiver Kevin Ramsey got out of possible major trouble without allowing a run. Schade was hit by a pitch on an 0-2 count and Christian struck out. Pratt then hit a fly to right field for out two, but the Tigers loaded the bases with a walk to Burnham and an error on third baseman Pat Osborn. That brought up the top of the order and Moran hit the ball hard, but shortstop Estrada did not have to move for the line drive to end the end with the tying run on base.

Renfroe said that if Moran's line drive hadn't gone straight at the shortstop, he would have liked his team's chances of catching the Gators with the hot-hitting Kent on deck.

The Gators added a pair of insurance run off Watts in the top of the ninth to make the score 10-5. Auburn narrowed the final margin to 10-6 with a homer to left center by Pratt. That ended a streak of 0-15 at the plate for the game by the number five through nine hitters.

Auburn, 33-15, won the opener Friday night 5-2 with a strong pitching performance by Levale Speigner leading the way. The series finale is Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Florida is 30-21 overall after getting a strong hitting performance by Goss, who was three for three with the game-winning homer. He scored three times and had three RBI.

Box Score

May 6, 2001

Gators Win Baseball Series

Senior Hayden Gliemmo

AUBURN, Ala. -- Florida took the series finale at Plainsman Park to increase the pressure on the Tigers for the final weekend of the regular season.

Florida pitchers Alex Hart and Jay Belflower combined to allow the Auburn Tigers just four hits as the Gators won 5-2 Sunday to take the final two games of a three-game SEC baseball series.

Auburn dropped the game despite a solid performance from freshman pitcher Cory Dueitt. The Hoover native threw seven and one/third innings and gave up just seven hits and four runs as Auburn failed in its attempt to get a game closer to wrapping up an SEC Tournament berth.

"It was just a battle," said Dueitt. "Their pitcher was on, he was pitching well. You could tell early in the game that it was going to be a close, low scoring game. I just tried to go out there and keep it close and give us a chance to come back late in the game, but it didn't work out for us. We got up to the plate and battled but nothing really went our way."

Never was that more evident than in the first inning, an inning that set the tone for the entire game. After the Gators had taken an early 1-0 lead on a Mark Kiger single, the Tigers looked like they were going to blow the game open themselves when Javon Moran reached on an error and promptly stole second base to put the pressure on Florida with the league's hottest hitter coming to bat.

With 16 hits in his last 22 at-bats in home SEC games, senior Mailon Kent has been the player that has carried this Auburn team in its time of need. This wasn't to be his day, however, as Hart came too far inside on a 2-2 pitch and it hit him on the helmet just behind his left ear. Dazed and suffering a slight concussion, Kent was forced to leave the game and was replaced by senior Hayden Gliemmo.

Auburn would go on to score a run on a fielder's choice by Trent Pratt, but left the bases loaded when Justin Christian popped out to second base to end the inning. It would be the last time the Tigers really threatened until the eighth inning as losing Kent seemed to take the steam out of an already struggling Auburn lineup.

"You can't replace Mailon," said Auburn first baseman Todd Faulkner. "He catches everything in the outfield and he's on fire hitting, so who knows how it might have turned out if he was there but he wasn't and that's how things are."

With the game tied at one, this one turned into a pitching duel. Both Dueitt and Hart controlled things during the middle innings and heading to the sixth inning, it was still a 1-1 game. That's when things began to unravel a little for Auburn.

A lead-off bunt single by Gator shortstop Kevin Estrada got a rally started. After moving to second on a passed ball and watching Aaron Davidson get hit by a pitch, both runners moved up a base on a Kiger groundout to Faulkner at first bringing the powerful Jason Dill to the plate. Playing the percentages, Auburn put Dill on intentionally to load the bases for right fielder Peter Nystrom. The former Clemson Tiger grounded into a 3-2 fielder's choice for the second out and things looked a little brighter for Dueitt, but it wouldn't last long as Matt Goss singled to right to score two runs and Florida had a 3-1 lead.

With Hart tiring a little on the hill, Florida went to Belflower in the sixth to try to keep the Tigers at bay. He did that and more as he brought his 90-plus miles per hour fastball to the mound and continuously used it to keep the Auburn hitters from getting a good swing on the pitch. With their go-to guy on the mound in control of the situation, the Gators added an insurance run in both the eight and ninth innings off Auburn reliever Eric Brandon to close the door on this one.

The Tigers did manage a single run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Scott Schade, but that was as close as they would get as a 5-4-3 Moran double play in the ninth killed the Auburn rally as the Tigers lost a series after winning the Friday night game for the first time since doing the same against Alabama in 1997.

Now Auburn must travel to Baton Rouge to take on a angry group of LSU Tigers, fresh off a series sweep at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks. With postseason aspirations on the line in just about every SEC stadium next weekend, the Tigers need two wins in Red Stick to secure a berth at the Hoover Met. Otherwise they will need some help to guarantee a spot in the eight-team field. Junior left fielder Gabe Gross said the Tigers know exactly what is facing them and they're ready for the challenge.

"It's going to be his last home stand," Gross said of LSU head coach Skip Bertman. "The last weekend is usually big, whether you're trying to win the SEC Championship or make the tournament or whatever it is, it's going to come down to the last series. That's something we've known all year. We've kind of put our backs against the wall and we've got to come out fighting."

Box Score

Heading into the final weekend of play Auburn leads Alabama by just one game and Arkansas by two games. With those two playing in Tuscaloosa next weekend, Auburn is in the tournament with a combined two Tiger wins or Alabama losses. If Auburn doesn't get a victory in Baton Rouge, Alabama must still win two games to earn the final spot. Needless to say, the final weekend in SEC baseball is anything but boring.

May 7, 2001

Barker Signs With Bearcats

Taron Barker

ODESSA, Tex. -- Auburn appears to be finished with its spring basketball recruiting after a juco point guard picked another college. The Tigers have picked up four players in what looks to be one of the nation's better signee classes.

Odessa, Tex.--A basketball prospect who took an official visit to Auburn has signed with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.

Taron Barker, who is listed at 6-0, 190-pounds but appears shorter in person, played point guard for Odessa College. He chose the Bearcats over UConn, Texas A&M, TCU, Illinois and others.

If Barker would have signed with Auburn, where he visited last month, that would have put the Tigers at the limit of 13 scholarship players for the 2001-2002 season.

A native of Racine, Wisc., Barker’s stock rose with a strong performance in the national junior college tournament in March. With Cincinnati losing star point guard Kenny Satterfield to the NBA draft, Coach Bob Huggins of the Bearcats made a strong run at the juco guard. Coaches at Odessa said that Barker picked Cincinnati because he determined there was a chance for immediate playing time at the Conference USA college.

Even without signing Barker, Auburn returns two point guards–starter Jamison Brewer, who will be a junior, and his top backup last season, Lincoln Glass, who will be a senior. Auburn coaches are expected to save their one remaining scholarship for the early signing period in November. Without attrition, AU can add just three players for next year’s signee class.

Auburn has signed two players this spring–6-4 1/2 guard Derrick Bird and 6-8 guard/forward Brandon Robinson.

Bird should help immediately after leading Schoolcraft Junior College in Michigan to a 32-4 record. He averaged 20.3 points and five rebounds per game as a sophomore and hit 45 percent of his three-pointers.

Playing at Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts, Robinson averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He is originally from Buckhorn High in Alabama and is a re-signee for the Tigers.

Last November, Auburn signed Central Park Christian standout Marco Killingsworth, a 6-8 forward who averaged 25.5 points per game for the Birmingham school. Killingsworth played at Sidney Lanier in Montgomery as a sophomore and junior. He is a classic power forward with a solid 15-foot jump shot.

November signee Dwayne Mitchell, a 6-4 guard from Kennedy High in New Orleans, La., averaged 26 points per game. He is a high-leaping shooting guard, who has a flair for the spectacular.

May 7, 2001

Auburn Adds New Assistant AD

Auburn has hired Marvin Julich as Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing to replace Alan Thomas, who left AU earlier this year to take a similar position at the University of Georgia.

Julich comes to AU from Host Communications, a Lexington, Ky., sports marketing firm where he was executive director. In his job at Auburn, he is responsible for marketing all intercollegiate sports teams.

"Marvin has an excellent background in marketing and promotions," said Athletic Director David Housel, who announced the hiring on Monday.

His academic background includes a bachelor's degree in business administration from Samford University, where he lettered in baseball from 1988-91. A native of Decatur, Ala., Julich eared a Master's in sports administration from St. Thomas University in 1994.

Julich's work background includes pro baseball marketing jobs with the Florida Marlins, the Huntsville Stars and the Winston-Salem Warthogs.

May 8, 2001

SEC Honors Auburn Coach

Coach Mike Griffin.

AUBURN, Ala. -- Mike Griffin has been honored by the Southeastern Conference as the league's men's golf coach of the year.

For the third time in his career Auburn head coach Mike Griffin has been named the SEC Men's Golf Coach of the Year as voted on by the league coaches.

Guiding the Tigers to a number 22 ranking in the latest MasterCard Collegiate Golf Rankings and a third-place finish in the SEC Championship last month at Sea Island, Ga., Griffin is almost a shoo-in to guide his Auburn squad to its 14th NCAA Regional appearance in 17 years. The selections will be announced on Tuesday.

Inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of American Hall of Fame in 2000 for his contributions in the field of college coaching, Griffin has led Auburn to seven trips to the NCAA Championships and his leadership enabled the Tigers to play host to the 2000 NCAA Men's Golf Championship last spring at one of Auburn's home courses, Grand National (part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail).

Also honored by the SEC was Kevin Haefner. A second team All-SEC selection this season, the junior from Pittsford, N.Y., followed up a very successful sophomore campaign in which he earned Honorable Mention All-American honors with a 15th place finish in last year's NCAA Championship. His best finish this season was second place at the NCAA Fall Preview where he shot the low round of the season for the Tigers, a 67.

Earning the SEC Player of the Year was Georgia's Nick Cassini. The third-ranked collegiate golfer in the nation according to the Mastercard rankings, Cassini has five Top 10 finishes this year and one tournament victory. Named the SEC Golfer of the Week twice this season, Cassini has a stroke average of 71.21 and has finished in the top five in his last three tournaments. Florida's Camillo Vilegas was voted as the SEC Freshman of the Year by the league's coaches. Averaging 71.43 strokes per round this year, Vilegas is sixth in the SEC in scoring average.

Also honored by the conference on Monday was Auburn softball first baseman/pitcher Mary Petrie. The senior was named the SEC Player of the Week for her performance against the fourth-ranked LSU Tigers. In the series Petrie pitched 12 2/3 innings and also had a three-RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning in Auburn's 7-3 Sunday victory than wrapped up an SEC Tournament berth for Coach Tina Deese's squad. Petrie, a Garden Grove, Calif., native, currently holds 10 career school records, including 42 home runs and 152 RBI for her career. The Tigers head into the SEC Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn., as the eighth seed and will play the top-seeded LSU Tigers on Thursday night.

May 9, 2001

Looking For The Man in The Middle

Center Danny Lindsey

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cole Cubelic finished the 2000 season as the starting center, but he must be replaced this fall.

Tommy Tuberville says it is imperative that an experienced offensive front become a strength of the 2001 Auburn football team. He notes that the man in the middle, whoever that will be, should set the tone for that group this fall.

The head coach says he is generally pleased with what he has seen from the entire offensive front, particularly the veterans, during winter workouts and spring training. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says the Tigers are a work in progress up front, especially on the second team, but notes that he sees some signs of progress.

Nall and Tuberville both say the best surprise of the spring was the play of true freshman center Danny Lindsey, who spent much of his time working with the first unit. “We really hope to redshirt him this fall,” says Tuberville. “He did play well though and got better throughout the spring although his head was spinning at times, which is not surprising for someone who should still be in high school.”

Tuberville says that the key to success of the whole offensive line could be the center position, especially with a new quarterback taking over for two-year starter Ben Leard. Tuberville adds that he hopes that 6-2, 290 junior Ben Nowland is ready to return to his early season form from 2000 when he gets the green light to go full speed in preseason drills in August. Nowland missed all of the contact work in spring workouts, under doctor’s orders, as he recovered from offseason hand surgery. “We need Ben to step up and take charge at the position,” Tuberville says. “He has shown he can do it.”

If something happened to Nowland, Mike Pucillo would likely move over from right guard and take over the starting duties at center, Tuberville told Inside the Auburn Tigers.

Nall says that he plans to get Lindsey ready to play if needed this fall. The 6-3, 290-pound true freshman enrolled at AU in January. “Coming in, we didn’t know how he would do in picking up a new system and how he would be strength-wise and physically stand up to the other kids, but everything was a pleasant surprise,” Nall says. “He’s got great body strength and is really strong in his legs.

“He’s got a good leg drive and he’s got a good concept of the game of football,” Nall adds. “He’s a smart football player. He’s still got a ways to go on learning the terminology and executing it the way we want it done completely, but he really had a great spring. He’s done some great things that we can build on and he can come in and learn this summer and all that type stuff. So that was a sight to see and I think he’s got a bright future.”

Nall says several other Tigers had good springs on the offensive front, including redshirt sophomore Mark Pera, who also learned how to play center if needed there. However, the 6-6, 295-pounder will begin two-a-days in August as the first team right tackle. “I thought Mark Pera did a good job after moving from center to tackle and from right tackle to left tackle then back to center at times,” Nall says. “I think he’s got a bright future. I see a lot of playing time for Mark. He should be competing hard for a starting job.”

The Tigers open their 2001 season as the defending SEC West champions when they take on visiting Ball State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1st.

May 9, 2001

Men's Golf Team Gets NCAA Bid

Kevin Haefner

AUBURN, Ala. -- After a slow start, the men's golf team has played its best down the stretch and has earned a bid to the NCAA East Regional in Virginia.

For the 14th time in the last 16 years, Mike Griffin has led his Auburn men’s golf squad to an NCAA Regional Tournament berth.

With a strong finish that includes a third place at last month’s SEC Championship, the 18th-ranked Tigers have earned a spot in the tough East Regional at the par-72, 7,120-yard Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va., on May 17-19.

Nine of the Top 25 teams in the country will be in attendance, including the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, No. 2 Georgia Tech, No. 3 Clemson, No. 5 Florida, No. 12 North Carolina State, No. 15 East Tennessee State, No. 21 Virginia Tech and the 22nd ranked Duke Blue Devils.

Also in the field is Rhode Island, Hartford, Yale, Penn State, Richmond, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Ole Miss, LSU, UAB, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Virginia Commonwealth, Charleston Southern, Xavier, Princeton, Iona and University of Maryland at Baltimore County.

“I am very happy to get in the NCAA regional,” says Griffin, who was named SEC Men’s Golf Coach of the Year earlier this week. “We always do well in this tournament and I look forward to us making the NCAA Championship.”

The Tigers are led by All-SEC second team selection Kevin Haefner. The junior has a team best stroke average of 72.80 and has three Top 10 finishes this season. A Top 15 finisher in last year’s NCAA Championship held at Grand National in Opelika, Haefner is tournament tough and should be a good leader for the young Auburn team as it tries to earn its eighth trip to the NCAA Championship in school history. This year’s nationals will be played at the Duke University Golf Club in Durham, N.C., May 30th to June 2nd.

May 10, 2001

It's Now Or Never For Baseball Tigers

Mailon Kent

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Auburn hopes to crash Skip Bertman's retirement party while the hometown Tigers look to dash AU's hopes of winning an SEC Tournament berth.

In a season full of more ups and downs than a roller coaster ride, the Auburn baseball team is trying to hang on just a little bit longer to reach its goal of qualifying for the SEC Tournament in Birmingham.

The big problem for Auburn is that the Tigers will be trying to hold on to eighth place in the SEC (the final tournament qualifying spot) at the conference’s toughest field for visiting teams to succeed.

Waiting at Alex Box Stadium will be the seventh-ranked LSU Tigers, huge raucous crowds and plenty of motivation for the home team. Factor in that LSU is fighting to win the regular season league title and that this is the final home weekend for legendary head coach Skip Bertman and you have a recipe for disaster for this AU team if the Tigers are not at the top of their game.

“It’s what many people think is the toughest place to play in the country to win a baseball game or a series,” Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe says of Alex Box Stadium. “Just multiply that 10 or 12 times for this weekend and that’s probably what kind of atmosphere it will be. You’ve just got to go down and challenge your players that they will do the best they can to focus on the baseball and what their roles are.”

If Auburn wins two games in Baton Rouge, the Tigers are in the tournament no matter what ninth place Alabama or 10th place Arkansas do in their three-game series in Tuscaloosa. Any combination of two AU victories or two Bama losses will send the Tigers to the tournament. Arkansas would have to sweep Bama and Auburn would have to lose all three for the Razorbacks to qualify for the SEC tournament.

With 862 wins in his 18-year career at LSU, Bertman has changed the face of baseball in the league for the better. Bringing fans more into the game and making SEC baseball an experience, his success at LSU has sparked a growing interest in teams around the league, as evidenced by new stadiums or upgrades at all 12 schools. Even though Bertman’s impact has been felt far and wide, Renfroe says he learned from an equally good baseball mind.

“I’ve known Skip ever since he’s been in the league,” Renfroe says of the retiring coach. “As far as my career, I’ve never worked for Skip. I feel like the guy I worked for...there’s not a better baseball guy in the world than who I worked for. The impact (Bertman’s) is what he did for the league. As far as me personally, that’s all Hal Baird. That’s where I learned my game.”

LSU (36-16-1 overall, 17-10 SEC) comes into this weekend looking to seal its position as the top team in the Western Division. Coming off being swept in three games at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks last weekend in Fayetteville, Ark., the Tigers should certainly be in a foul mood when Auburn rolls into town. The top hitting team in the league with a batting average of .321, LSU will present the young Auburn pitching staff with possibly its biggest challenge of the year.

Led by powerful hitters Bryan Moore, Todd Linden, and Ryan Theriot, the Tigers have hit 76 home runs this season with Linden’s 16 leading the way. He also leads the team in RBI with 59. Moore is second in the league with a .378 batting average and leads the league in doubles with 21. Theriot is the steady guy for LSU, hitting .364 with 76 hits on the year. He has also drawn 39 walks to set up the power guys behind him time and time again. If Auburn can keep him off the base paths, it will go a long way towards holding the Fighting Tigers under their usual high-scoring ways.

Auburn (33-16, 13-14) is led at the plate by junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Second on the team with a .328 batting average, Gross leads his Tigers in home runs with 12, RBI with 58, doubles with 16, walks with 47 and total bases with 111. Right behind him is senior center fielder Mailon Kent. Leading the team with a .347 batting average, the Birmingham native has come on strong lately as evidenced by his .545 batting average last week. Kent hit .727 in his last four SEC games and is just six hits shy of 300 for his career. After being beaned on Sunday vs. Florida and suffering a mild concussion, Kent is expected back in the starting lineup on Friday night.

While the match-ups are set at the plate, it’s not that simple on the mound. LSU has two starters set in freshman left-hander Lane Mestepey (8-2, 3.39 ERA) on Friday night and senior right-hander Jason Scobie (3-1, 5.12 ERA) on Saturday. Renfroe says that Mestepey has “great stuff” and has been very impressive throughout the year. On Sunday the Fighting Tigers will throw either senior left-hander Tim Nugent (6-2, 3.36 ERA) or sophomore right-hander Bo Petit (4-0, 2.42 ERA).

Sophomore Levale Speigner is the unquestioned leader for the Tigers on the hill right now with senior Hayden Gliemmo out with an injury. At 8-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 94 innings this year, you can expect to see Speigner give the Tigers a good performance on Saturday as Renfroe plans to shake up the starting rotation after winning just one of three games last weekend. Speigner has opened on Friday night since the Tennessee series a month and a half ago.

Freshman Colby Paxton (4-3, 3.22 ERA in 50 innings) earns the Friday night start and another freshman, Cory Dueitt (3-3, 4.02 ERA in 53 innings), will handle the duties on Sunday as the two get the chance to get the weekend off to a good start and big finish.

With the season and post-season aspirations on the line this weekend, Renfroe says that he knows there is talk that this Auburn team will just quietly slip into oblivion. However, the coach predicts his team will rise to the challenge this weekend. “They’ve battled through a lot,” Renfroe says. “Everybody has their battles, but people don’t know what this team has been through. Not only on the field, but off the field, and they have responded like champions and with great character. I trust them. I’m not worried about them.

“They will go down there and I really believe will go down there to play as hard as they can play. They’re up against tremendous odds. We’ve been told numerous times that we might as well forget it, there’s no way to do it…Once again, we were told that when we were 0-9 and I believe in these kids and I believe in how they go about their business. We’re just going to play and we’ll watch the scores.”

Game times for the weekend are 7 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. for the get-away game on Sunday. The Friday night opener can be seen live on television on College Sports Southeast. Saturday’s game can be seen on a tape-delay basis only on Monday at 7 p.m. Sunday’s game can be seen live on Guaranty and it will be replayed on CSSE Sunday at 6 p.m.

LSU leads the series 64-52 vs. Auburn and holds a 33-16 edge in games played in Baton Rouge.

May 10, 2001

Looking For The Man in The Middle

Center Danny Lindsey

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cole Cubelic finished the 2000 season as the starting center, but he must be replaced this fall.

Tommy Tuberville says it is imperative that an experienced offensive front become a strength of the 2001 Auburn football team. He notes that the man in the middle, whoever that will be, should set the tone for that group this fall.

The head coach says he is generally pleased with what he has seen from the entire offensive front, particularly the veterans, during winter workouts and spring training. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says the Tigers are a work in progress up front, especially on the second team, but notes that he sees some signs of progress.

Nall and Tuberville both say the best surprise of the spring was the play of true freshman center Danny Lindsey, who spent much of his time working with the first unit. “We really hope to redshirt him this fall,” says Tuberville. “He did play well though and got better throughout the spring although his head was spinning at times, which is not surprising for someone who should still be in high school.”

Tuberville says that the key to success of the whole offensive line could be the center position, especially with a new quarterback taking over for two-year starter Ben Leard. Tuberville adds that he hopes that 6-2, 290 junior Ben Nowland is ready to return to his early season form from 2000 when he gets the green light to go full speed in preseason drills in August. Nowland missed all of the contact work in spring workouts, under doctor’s orders, as he recovered from offseason hand surgery. “We need Ben to step up and take charge at the position,” Tuberville says. “He has shown he can do it.”

If something happened to Nowland, Mike Pucillo would likely move over from right guard and take over the starting duties at center, Tuberville told Inside the Auburn Tigers.

Nall says that he plans to get Lindsey ready to play if needed this fall. The 6-3, 290-pound true freshman enrolled at AU in January. “Coming in, we didn’t know how he would do in picking up a new system and how he would be strength-wise and physically stand up to the other kids, but everything was a pleasant surprise,” Nall says. “He’s got great body strength and is really strong in his legs.

“He’s got a good leg drive and he’s got a good concept of the game of football,” Nall adds. “He’s a smart football player. He’s still got a ways to go on learning the terminology and executing it the way we want it done completely, but he really had a great spring. He’s done some great things that we can build on and he can come in and learn this summer and all that type stuff. So that was a sight to see and I think he’s got a bright future.”

Nall says several other Tigers had good springs on the offensive front, including redshirt sophomore Mark Pera, who also learned how to play center if needed there. However, the 6-6, 295-pounder will begin two-a-days in August as the first team right tackle. “I thought Mark Pera did a good job after moving from center to tackle and from right tackle to left tackle then back to center at times,” Nall says. “I think he’s got a bright future. I see a lot of playing time for Mark. He should be competing hard for a starting job.”

The Tigers open their 2001 season as the defending SEC West champions when they take on visiting Ball State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1st.

May 10, 2001

Strong Start At NCAA East Regionals

Danielle Downey

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Kimberly Strong and Danielle Downey shot even par on Thursday to help Auburn make a strong start at the NCAA East Regional.

The Auburn women’s golf team showed signs of snapping out of its late season slump by finishing second on the opening day at the NCAA East Regional.

Auburn, which is ranked third nationally, shot a 294 total on Thursday in the first of three rounds at the par 72, 6,181-yard Finley Golf Course. Duke, which is ranked No. 1 nationally, has an eight-stroke lead on the Tigers. Sixth-ranked Georgia, the SEC champion, is in third at 297.

Individually, Kimberly Strong and Danielle Downey are leading the way for Auburn at even par 72 and are tied for fourth place. The news is especially encouraging for Auburn because Downey is making a comeback from a wrist injury that kept her sidelined for parts of the spring season.

Celeste Troche and Courtney Swaim are tied for 19th at 75. Diana Ramage is tied for 30th with a 76.

Duke’s Varada Nirapathpongporn set a course record at 65 to take a five-shot lead over Georgia’s Laura Henderson. San Jose State’s Rebecka Heinmert is third at 71, one shot ahead of Downey and Strong.

“I told the team to take it one day at a time,” Coach Kim Evans said. “The first day is over with, and it is time to go on to the next day. I am extremely happy with the way Kim and Danielle played. I have seen this coming in Kim and Danielle is getting her strength back following her wrist injury.”

New Mexico and San Jose State are fourth at 299 and are followed by 18th-ranked TCU at 302, 24th-ranked South Florida at 303 and eighth-ranked Louisville at 304. South Carolina is in ninth place at 305 followed by 14th-ranked Wake Forest (306), 10th-ranked Pepperdine (307), Michigan (308), Florida State (308), Campbell (308), North Carolina (310), San Diego State (310) and Northwestern (314) to round out the top 17.

The top eight teams will advance to the NCAA Championship May 22-25 at Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

May 10, 2001

Strong Start For AU Golfers In NCAA Play

Danielle Downey

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Kimberly Strong and Danielle Downey shot even par on Thursday to help Auburn make a good start at the NCAA East Regional.

The Auburn women’s golf team showed signs of snapping out of its late season slump by finishing second on the opening day at the NCAA East Regional.

Auburn, which is ranked third nationally, shot a 294 total on Thursday in the first of three rounds at the par 72, 6,181-yard Finley Golf Course. Duke, which is ranked No. 1 nationally, has an eight-stroke lead on the Tigers. Sixth-ranked Georgia, the SEC champion, is in third at 297.

Individually, Kimberly Strong and Danielle Downey are leading the way for Auburn at even par 72 and are tied for fourth place. The news is especially encouraging for Auburn because Downey is making a comeback from a wrist injury that kept her sidelined for parts of the spring season.

Celeste Troche and Courtney Swaim are tied for 19th at 75. Diana Ramage is tied for 30th with a 76.

Duke’s Varada Nirapathpongporn set a course record at 65 to take a five-shot lead over Georgia’s Laura Henderson. San Jose State’s Rebecka Heinmert is third at 71, one shot ahead of Downey and Strong.

“I told the team to take it one day at a time,” Coach Kim Evans said. “The first day is over with, and it is time to go on to the next day. I am extremely happy with the way Kim and Danielle played. I have seen this coming in Kim and Danielle is getting her strength back following her wrist injury.”

New Mexico and San Jose State are fourth at 299 and are followed by 18th-ranked TCU at 302, 24th-ranked South Florida at 303 and eighth-ranked Louisville at 304. South Carolina is in ninth place at 305 followed by 14th-ranked Wake Forest (306), 10th-ranked Pepperdine (307), Michigan (308), Florida State (308), Campbell (308), North Carolina (310), San Diego State (310) and Northwestern (314) to round out the top 17.

The top eight teams will advance to the NCAA Championship May 22-25 at Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

May 10, 2001

Olympians Lead AU Track Team Into SEC Meet

Reedus Thurmond

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The seventh-ranked Auburn men's track team faces an exceptionally strong field at this year's SEC Track and Field Championships on the campus of the University of South Carolina.

Although Auburn is ranked seventh nationally, the Tigers are not the favorite to win the men’s competition at the SEC Track and Field Championships that run Thursday through Sunday at the University of South Carolina.

Perennial power Arkansas is ranked second nationally and is expected to battle third-ranked LSU for the men’s title. Eight SEC teams are in the Top 15 nationally. In the women’s competition, Auburn is unranked. The favorites are LSU, which is ranked third, and South Carolina at fourth nationally. Six SEC women’s teams are in the Top 20 nationally.

“The SEC Championships are among the best competition in the nation,” says Auburn head coach Ralph Spry. “If you do well here, you gain a lot of confidence to take with you to the NCAA Championships. We have a lot of solid competitors that are ready to have a good showing for Auburn.”

The AU men were fourth in this meet last year, but finished third at the national championship. The Auburn women will try to improve on a seventh place finish.

Avard Moncur, Gabor Mate and Reedus Thurmond led the men’s team while Shelly-Ann Gallimore is expected to be the top performer for the AU women.

Moncur, a senior Olympian, is the defending NCAA champion in the 400 meters and has the fastest time in the league this year. He is also the anchor for the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

Mate, a junior, is a two-time NCAA champ in the discus and is the heavy favorite to win a third straight SEC title in the event. His chief competitor is teammate Thurmond, a junior All-American who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000. Mate, a 6-7, 320-pound Olympian from Hungary, is also expected to score in the hammer and shot put.

Gallimore leads the women's team. The sophomore has the best triple jump in the SEC this season and is ranked sixth in the high jump.

The meet begins Thursday afternoon with the first of two days of competition in both the heptathlon (women) and decathlon (men) competitions. The running events begin on Friday and the field events start on Saturday.

May 10, 2001

Johnson, Mate Lead Track Team At SEC Meet

Gabor Mate

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Tigers opened competition on Friday at the 2001 SEC Track and Field Championships at the University of South Carolina.

Gabor Mate and Nerissa Johnson led the way for the seventh-ranked Tigers and unranked women’s team on Friday at the opening day of the SEC Track and Field Championships.

Mate, a junior, finished third in the hammer throw to score six points with the second longest toss in school history at 202 feet, nine inches. That is just eight inches short of teammate Ryan Kavanagh’s record of 203 feet, five inches. Mate’s effort provisionally qualified him for the NCAA Championships. He is the two-time NCAA champion in the discus and a 2000 Olympian.

The women’s team is in fourth-place with nine points at Weems Baskin Track and Field at the University of South Carolina. The men are in sixth place with nine points.

Georgia leads the men’s competition after the first full day with 23 points. Arkansas is second with 22, Tennessee is third with 21 points, LSU is fourth with 18 points and Alabama is fifth with 14 points. Arkansas leads the women’s competition with 47 points. Alabama is in second with 18 points, Georgia is in third with 10, and LSU is tied with the Tigers at fourth with nine points.

“It was a typical first day,” said fourth-year head coach Ralph Spry. “We had some ups and downs. We had some people do the things they needed to do and we had some that didn’t, but we need to focus and the good things and keep up that momentum for the rest of the championships.”

Kavanagh and Reedus Thurmond also picked up points for Auburn. Kavanagh, a junior, scored two points with a seventh-place finish in the hammer throw with a toss of 181-03. Thurmond, a fellow junior, added one point with an eighth-place finish in the same event with a throw of 173-03.

“The hammer was a great way to start the meet off,” said Spry. “We got nine big points from those three guys and that gave us a big boost.”

Sophomore Nerissa Johnson finished fourth in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 36:01.76. She gained five points for the Tigers and teammate Amy Odermatt finished fifth to score four points. The junior ran a time of 36:59.03.

Jared Hodge finished out of the points in the decathlon. The top eight spots score. He placed ninth with 6,420 points, 100 points away from eighth. He recorded personal-bests in four of the 10 events, including the pole vault by clearing 13-01.50. The freshman also recorded a 36 feet, 11 inches in the shot put and times of 16.27 in the 110 hurdles and 4:43.41 in the 1500m run.

Natalee Sterling led way in the 400 hurdles, winning the third heat with the fastest time of the event. The junior ran a time of 58.54.

May 11, 2001

It's Now Or Never For Baseball Tigers

Mailon Kent

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Auburn hopes to crash Skip Bertman's retirement party while the hometown Tigers look to dash AU's hopes of winning an SEC Tournament berth.

In a season full of more ups and downs than a roller coaster ride, the Auburn baseball team is trying to hang on just a little bit longer to reach its goal of qualifying for the SEC Tournament in Birmingham.

The big problem for Auburn is that the Tigers will be trying to hold on to eighth place in the SEC (the final tournament qualifying spot) at the conference’s toughest field for visiting teams to succeed.

Waiting at Alex Box Stadium will be the seventh-ranked LSU Tigers, huge raucous crowds and plenty of motivation for the home team. Factor in that LSU is fighting to win the regular season league title and that this is the final home weekend for legendary head coach Skip Bertman and you have a recipe for disaster for this AU team if the Tigers are not at the top of their game.

“It’s what many people think is the toughest place to play in the country to win a baseball game or a series,” Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe says of Alex Box Stadium. “Just multiply that 10 or 12 times for this weekend and that’s probably what kind of atmosphere it will be. You’ve just got to go down and challenge your players that they will do the best they can to focus on the baseball and what their roles are.”

If Auburn wins two games in Baton Rouge, the Tigers are in the tournament no matter what ninth place Alabama or 10th place Arkansas do in their three-game series in Tuscaloosa. Any combination of two AU victories or two Bama losses will send the Tigers to the tournament. Arkansas would have to sweep Bama and Auburn would have to lose all three for the Razorbacks to qualify for the SEC tournament.

With 862 wins in his 18-year career at LSU, Bertman has changed the face of baseball in the league for the better. Bringing fans more into the game and making SEC baseball an experience, his success at LSU has sparked a growing interest in teams around the league, as evidenced by new stadiums or upgrades at all 12 schools. Even though Bertman’s impact has been felt far and wide, Renfroe says he learned from an equally good baseball mind.

“I’ve known Skip ever since he’s been in the league,” Renfroe says of the retiring coach. “As far as my career, I’ve never worked for Skip. I feel like the guy I worked for...there’s not a better baseball guy in the world than who I worked for. The impact (Bertman’s) is what he did for the league. As far as me personally, that’s all Hal Baird. That’s where I learned my game.”

LSU (36-16-1 overall, 17-10 SEC) comes into this weekend looking to seal its position as the top team in the Western Division. Coming off being swept in three games at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks last weekend in Fayetteville, Ark., the Tigers should certainly be in a foul mood when Auburn rolls into town. The top hitting team in the league with a batting average of .321, LSU will present the young Auburn pitching staff with possibly its biggest challenge of the year.

Led by powerful hitters Bryan Moore, Todd Linden, and Ryan Theriot, the Tigers have hit 76 home runs this season with Linden’s 16 leading the way. He also leads the team in RBI with 59. Moore is second in the league with a .378 batting average and leads the league in doubles with 21. Theriot is the steady guy for LSU, hitting .364 with 76 hits on the year. He has also drawn 39 walks to set up the power guys behind him time and time again. If Auburn can keep him off the base paths, it will go a long way towards holding the Fighting Tigers under their usual high-scoring ways.

Auburn (33-16, 13-14) is led at the plate by junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Second on the team with a .328 batting average, Gross leads his Tigers in home runs with 12, RBI with 58, doubles with 16, walks with 47 and total bases with 111. Right behind him is senior center fielder Mailon Kent. Leading the team with a .347 batting average, the Birmingham native has come on strong lately as evidenced by his .545 batting average last week. Kent hit .727 in his last four SEC games and is just six hits shy of 300 for his career. After being beaned on Sunday vs. Florida and suffering a mild concussion, Kent is expected back in the starting lineup on Friday night.

While the match-ups are set at the plate, it’s not that simple on the mound. LSU has two starters set in freshman left-hander Lane Mestepey (8-2, 3.39 ERA) on Friday night and senior right-hander Jason Scobie (3-1, 5.12 ERA) on Saturday. Renfroe says that Mestepey has “great stuff” and has been very impressive throughout the year. On Sunday the Fighting Tigers will throw either senior left-hander Tim Nugent (6-2, 3.36 ERA) or sophomore right-hander Bo Petit (4-0, 2.42 ERA).

Sophomore Levale Speigner is the unquestioned leader for the Tigers on the hill right now with senior Hayden Gliemmo out with an injury. At 8-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 94 innings this year, you can expect to see Speigner give the Tigers a good performance on Saturday as Renfroe plans to shake up the starting rotation after winning just one of three games last weekend. Speigner has opened on Friday night since the Tennessee series a month and a half ago.

Freshman Colby Paxton (4-3, 3.22 ERA in 50 innings) earns the Friday night start and another freshman, Cory Dueitt (3-3, 4.02 ERA in 53 innings), will handle the duties on Sunday as the two get the chance to get the weekend off to a good start and big finish.

With the season and post-season aspirations on the line this weekend, Renfroe says that he knows there is talk that this Auburn team will just quietly slip into oblivion. However, the coach predicts his team will rise to the challenge this weekend. “They’ve battled through a lot,” Renfroe says. “Everybody has their battles, but people don’t know what this team has been through. Not only on the field, but off the field, and they have responded like champions and with great character. I trust them. I’m not worried about them.

“They will go down there and I really believe will go down there to play as hard as they can play. They’re up against tremendous odds. We’ve been told numerous times that we might as well forget it, there’s no way to do it…Once again, we were told that when we were 0-9 and I believe in these kids and I believe in how they go about their business. We’re just going to play and we’ll watch the scores.”

Game times for the weekend are 7 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. for the get-away game on Sunday. The Friday night opener can be seen live on television on College Sports Southeast. Saturday’s game can be seen on a tape-delay basis only on Monday at 7 p.m. Sunday’s game can be seen live on Guaranty and it will be replayed on CSSE Sunday at 6 p.m.

LSU leads the series 64-52 vs. Auburn and holds a 33-16 edge in games played in Baton Rouge.

May 11, 2001

Looking For The Man in The Middle

Center Danny Lindsey

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cole Cubelic finished the 2000 season as the starting center, but he must be replaced this fall.

Tommy Tuberville says it is imperative that an experienced offensive front become a strength of the 2001 Auburn football team. He notes that the man in the middle, whoever that will be, should set the tone for that group this fall.

The head coach says he is generally pleased with what he has seen from the entire offensive front, particularly the veterans, during winter workouts and spring training. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says the Tigers are a work in progress up front, especially on the second team, but notes that he sees some signs of progress.

Nall and Tuberville both say the best surprise of the spring was the play of true freshman center Danny Lindsey, who spent much of his time working with the first unit. “We really hope to redshirt him this fall,” says Tuberville. “He did play well though and got better throughout the spring although his head was spinning at times, which is not surprising for someone who should still be in high school.”

Tuberville says that the key to success of the whole offensive line could be the center position, especially with a new quarterback taking over for two-year starter Ben Leard. Tuberville adds that he hopes that 6-2, 290 junior Ben Nowland is ready to return to his early season form from 2000 when he gets the green light to go full speed in preseason drills in August. Nowland missed all of the contact work in spring workouts, under doctor’s orders, as he recovered from offseason hand surgery. “We need Ben to step up and take charge at the position,” Tuberville says. “He has shown he can do it.”

If something happened to Nowland, Mike Pucillo would likely move over from right guard and take over the starting duties at center, Tuberville told Inside the Auburn Tigers.

Nall says that he plans to get Lindsey ready to play if needed this fall. The 6-3, 290-pound true freshman enrolled at AU in January. “Coming in, we didn’t know how he would do in picking up a new system and how he would be strength-wise and physically stand up to the other kids, but everything was a pleasant surprise,” Nall says. “He’s got great body strength and is really strong in his legs.

“He’s got a good leg drive and he’s got a good concept of the game of football,” Nall adds. “He’s a smart football player. He’s still got a ways to go on learning the terminology and executing it the way we want it done completely, but he really had a great spring. He’s done some great things that we can build on and he can come in and learn this summer and all that type stuff. So that was a sight to see and I think he’s got a bright future.”

Nall says several other Tigers had good springs on the offensive front, including redshirt sophomore Mark Pera, who also learned how to play center if needed there. However, the 6-6, 295-pounder will begin two-a-days in August as the first team right tackle. “I thought Mark Pera did a good job after moving from center to tackle and from right tackle to left tackle then back to center at times,” Nall says. “I think he’s got a bright future. I see a lot of playing time for Mark. He should be competing hard for a starting job.”

The Tigers open their 2001 season as the defending SEC West champions when they take on visiting Ball State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1st.

May 11, 2001

Auburn Golfers Sitting Pretty After Two Rounds

Diane Ramage

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Tigers had the best round of day two at the NCAA East Regional women's golf tournament.

With all five team members scoring well, the Auburn women’s golf team is in great shape to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

After round two of three at the NCAA East Regional on the Finley Golf Course, Auburn is in second place behind Duke in a 21-team event.

The Tigers fired a two-over-par 290 total on Friday, the best score of the day. AU is eight over par at 584, seven shots off the pace by Duke, currently the nation’s top-ranked team. Auburn is ranked third.

Freshman Diana Ramage carded six birdies plus an eagle to led AU on day two with a 71. She is at three-over-par 147 in a tie for sixth place. She has posted 11 birdies in two days of golf. The Tigers have made a tournament-high 32 birdies.

Junior Kimberly Strong shot a second straight 72 and is in fourth place individually, six shots off the lead held by Duke’s Virada Nirapathpongporn, who has shot 65-73 for a 138 total.

Auburn has an 11-shot lead over SEC champion Georgia, which is in third with a 595 total.

The top eight teams in the three different regionals advance to the NCAA Championship May 22-25 in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. The Tigers have a 23-shot margin over three teams that are tied for eighth at 607. That group includes 21st-ranked Vanderbilt, 16th-ranked Wake Forest and San Jose State.

All five Auburn players are in the top 14 individually in a tournament that features 107 players. Sophomore Celeste Troche is tied for 12th with a 75-73-148, a shot ahead of Courtney Swaim (75-74-149) and Danielle Downey (72-77-149).

“The course played tougher today, and we played stronger,” Auburn coach Kim Evans said. “I am extremely happy with the effort. It was a total team effort. Kimberly Strong had another outstanding performance and I am very happy for her. We had scores of 71, 72, 73, 74 and 77 and that is very balanced. We have been taking it one day at a time, and we have one day left.”

Duke coach Dan Brooks said, “I think we are right about where we need to be at this stage and if we get another hot day tomorrow it will be a good sendoff toward the championship.”

South Carolina is in fourth with a 598 followed by New Mexico (602), 10th-ranked Pepperdine (604) and No. 24 South Florida (606) in seventh. No. 18 TCU is five shots behind the three teams in eighth at 612 while Michigan is in 12th at 616 followed by Northwestern (622), Louisville (622), Florida State (623), Charleston Southern (624), Campbell (625), San Diego State (626), North Carolina (628), Kansas State (638) and Jackson State (688).

Duke’s Candy Hanneman shot a 4-under 68 and is two shots off the lead at 4-under 140. Auburn’s Strong is in fourth at 144, two shots better than New Mexico's Ryley Webb, who is in fifth.

May 11, 2001

Hot LSU Bats Smoke AU In Series Opener

Steve Renfroe

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Auburn did little right as it was bombed by LSU on Friday night at Alex Box Stadium.

LSU pounded Auburn pitching for 18 hits as the Bayou Bengals took game one of a crucial three-game SEC baseball series at Alex Box Stadium by a score of 20-5 Friday night.

Auburn squandered a bases loaded situation with no outs in the first inning and from that point on it was all LSU as the home team moved its record to 37-16-1 and 18-10 in the SEC while Auburn falls to 33-17 overall and 13-15 in league play. Because of an 11-6 Alabama win over Arkansas earlier in the evening, Auburn is now tied with Alabama with just two games left in the regular season.

LSU starter Lane Mestipay escaped without damage in the first inning and that set the tone for the rest of the game. Javon Moran singled up the middle to get the opener off to a good start for the Tigers and Mailon Kent followed his path with a single of his own. Gabe Gross then reached on an error by Mestipay to load the bases for Todd Faulkner with nobody out. But, just like so many times before this season, the Tigers were unable to capitalize with the bases loaded as a Faulkner strikeout, a Trent Pratt pop fly and a Justin Christian groundout allowed Mestipay to get out of the inning without allowing a run and energize an already raucous crowd of 7,885 fans on hand to celebrate the last weekend of Skip Bertman’s long run as the head baseball coach at LSU.

It wouldn’t take LSU long to get on the board as back-to-back singles by Wally Pontiff and Mike Fontenot plus a couple of wild pitches by Auburn starter Colby Paxton led to two Bengal Tiger runs and they held the early 2-0 lead.

Auburn would get one back in the second as a Jonathan Schuerholz walk with two outs started a small rally. Moran singled again to give Auburn runners on first and second with the hot-hitting Kent coming to bat. The senior would deliver as he drilled a double into the right-center field gap that scored Schuerholz from second. LSU right fielder Sean Barker was able to cut the ball off before it got to the wall and a perfect relay throw to Fontenot at second base held Moran at third base. Gross grounded out to end the inning and Auburn was in the game, down just 2-1. However, it wouldn’t last.

The old baseball line goes, “You don’t walk the leadoff man” if you want to avoid trouble. Nothing could be more true on Friday as that came back to haunt the Tigers in the bottom of the second as walks to Matt Heath and Barker got LSU going. With two runners on and nobody out, star of the game David Raymer hit a three-run homer to left center and LSU had a 5-1 lead just like that. A couple of walks and two wild pitches later and LSU led 7-1 before a Zeph Zinsman two-run home run off the scoreboard in right field gave LSU a 9-1 lead after just two innings.

It would get much worse as LSU would add one in the third, five in the fourth, three in the sixth and two in the eighth to give the home team a grand total of 20 runs. Auburn would add four runs in the sixth inning with one swing of the bat as Gross drilled a two-out shot over the left field wall for a grand slam that cut the lead to 15-5, but it was way too little too late as Bertman’s weekend got off to a rousing start for the home-standing Tigers.

“There’s not much you can say, they just pounded us from the word go,” said Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe. “We had the bases loaded early with the middle up and, if you’re going to do something and get out of the chute you need those guys to bang one there and we didn’t. They did and that was really the story.”

Moran, Kent and Gross led the way for Auburn combining for six of Auburn’s 10 hits and all five of the RBI as LSU pitchers were able to cruise after the second inning outburst by their squad. LSU was paced by Raymer with four hits and four RBI and first baseman Bryan Moore also had four hits and one RBI. Left fielder Todd Linden chipped in with three hits and three RBI as LSU scored more runs on Friday night than it did all last weekend while being swept by the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville.

Sophomore Levale Speigner gets the nod on Saturday as Auburn looks to stay even with Alabama in the race for the last spot in the SEC Tournament to be held next week at the Hoover Met in Birmingham. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m. CDT and will be shown on a tape-delay basis only on College Sports Southeast on Monday night.

Box Score

May 11, 2001

LSU Smokes Tigers In Game One On Friday

Mailon Kent

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Auburn did little right as it was bombed by LSU on Friday night at Alex Box Stadium.

LSU pounded Auburn pitching for 18 hits as the Bayou Bengals took game one of a crucial three-game SEC baseball series at Alex Box Stadium by a score of 20-5 Friday night.

Auburn squandered a bases loaded situation with no outs in the first inning and from that point on it was all LSU as the home team moved its record to 37-16-1 and 18-10 in the SEC while Auburn falls to 33-17 overall and 13-15 in league play. Because of an 11-6 Alabama win over Arkansas earlier in the evening, Auburn is now tied with Alabama with just two games left in the regular season.

LSU starter Lane Mestipay escaped without damage in the first inning and that set the tone for the rest of the game. Javon Moran singled up the middle to get the opener off to a good start for the Tigers and Mailon Kent followed his path with a single of his own. Gabe Gross then reached on an error by Mestipay to load the bases for Todd Faulkner with nobody out. But, just like so many times before this season, the Tigers were unable to capitalize with the bases loaded as a Faulkner strikeout, a Trent Pratt pop fly and a Justin Christian groundout allowed Mestipay to get out of the inning without allowing a run and energize an already raucous crowd of 7,885 fans on hand to celebrate the last weekend of Skip Bertman’s long run as the head baseball coach at LSU.

It wouldn’t take LSU long to get on the board as back-to-back singles by Wally Pontiff and Mike Fontenot plus a couple of wild pitches by Auburn starter Colby Paxton led to two Bengal Tiger runs and they held the early 2-0 lead.

Auburn would get one back in the second as a Jonathan Schuerholz walk with two outs started a small rally. Moran singled again to give Auburn runners on first and second with the hot-hitting Kent coming to bat. The senior would deliver as he drilled a double into the right-center field gap that scored Schuerholz from second. LSU right fielder Sean Barker was able to cut the ball off before it got to the wall and a perfect relay throw to Fontenot at second base held Moran at third base. Gross grounded out to end the inning and Auburn was in the game, down just 2-1. However, it wouldn’t last.

The old baseball line goes, “You don’t walk the leadoff man” if you want to avoid trouble. Nothing could be more true on Friday as that came back to haunt the Tigers in the bottom of the second as walks to Matt Heath and Barker got LSU going. With two runners on and nobody out, star of the game David Raymer hit a three-run homer to left center and LSU had a 5-1 lead just like that. A couple of walks and two wild pitches later and LSU led 7-1 before a Zeph Zinsman two-run home run off the scoreboard in right field gave LSU a 9-1 lead after just two innings.

It would get much worse as LSU would add one in the third, five in the fourth, three in the sixth and two in the eighth to give the home team a grand total of 20 runs. Auburn would add four runs in the sixth inning with one swing of the bat as Gross drilled a two-out shot over the left field wall for a grand slam that cut the lead to 15-5, but it was way too little too late as Bertman’s weekend got off to a rousing start for the home-standing Tigers.

“There’s not much you can say, they just pounded us from the word go,” said Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe. “We had the bases loaded early with the middle up and, if you’re going to do something and get out of the chute you need those guys to bang one there and we didn’t. They did and that was really the story.”

Moran, Kent and Gross led the way for Auburn combining for six of Auburn’s 10 hits and all five of the RBI as LSU pitchers were able to cruise after the second inning outburst by their squad. LSU was paced by Raymer with four hits and four RBI and first baseman Bryan Moore also had four hits and one RBI. Left fielder Todd Linden chipped in with three hits and three RBI as LSU scored more runs on Friday night than it did all last weekend while being swept by the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville.

Sophomore Levale Speigner gets the nod on Saturday as Auburn looks to stay even with Alabama in the race for the last spot in the SEC Tournament to be held next week at the Hoover Met in Birmingham. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m. CDT and will be shown on a tape-delay basis only on College Sports Southeast on Monday night.

Box Score

May 11, 2001

Weather Playing Havoc With SEC Track Meet

Gabor Mate

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Auburn and the rest of the field have been sidelined by bad weather at the SEC Track and Field Championships.

Gabor Mate took third place in the shot put on Saturday at the rain-plagued SEC Track and Field Championships.

Mate, the two-time NCAA champion in the discus, threw the shot 57 feet, 2 1/4 inches, which is the third longest throw in AU history.

Thunderstorms have thrown off the schedule at Weems Baskin Track with some events being delayed until late Saturday night, weather permitting, or Sunday.

The Auburn women are in fourth place with nine points. Alexis Hamblett ran a season-best time of 3:27.60 to qualify for the finals in the 1500-meter run. The AU men are in seventh with 15 points with most of the events not yet completed.

May 11, 2001

Barker Signs With Bearcats

Taron Barker

ODESSA, Tex. -- Auburn appears to be finished with its spring basketball recruiting after a juco point guard picked another college. The Tigers have picked up four players in what looks to be one of the nation's better signee classes.

Odessa, Tex.--A basketball prospect who took an official visit to Auburn has signed with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.

Taron Barker, who is listed at 6-0, 190-pounds but appears shorter in person, played point guard for Odessa College. He chose the Bearcats over UConn, Texas A&M, TCU, Illinois and others.

If Barker would have signed with Auburn, where he visited last month, that would have put the Tigers at the limit of 13 scholarship players for the 2001-2002 season.

A native of Racine, Wisc., Barker’s stock rose with a strong performance in the national junior college tournament in March. With Cincinnati losing star point guard Kenny Satterfield to the NBA draft, Coach Bob Huggins of the Bearcats made a strong run at the juco guard. Coaches at Odessa said that Barker picked Cincinnati because he determined there was a chance for immediate playing time at the Conference USA college.

Even without signing Barker, Auburn returns two point guards–starter Jamison Brewer, who will be a junior, and his top backup last season, Lincoln Glass, who will be a senior. Auburn coaches are expected to save their one remaining scholarship for the early signing period in November. Without attrition, AU can add just three players for next year’s signee class.

Auburn has signed two players this spring–6-4 1/2 guard Derrick Bird and 6-8 guard/forward Brandon Robinson.

Bird should help immediately after leading Schoolcraft Junior College in Michigan to a 32-4 record. He averaged 20.3 points and five rebounds per game as a sophomore and hit 45 percent of his three-pointers.

Playing at Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts, Robinson averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He is originally from Buckhorn High in Alabama and is a re-signee for the Tigers.

Last November, Auburn signed Central Park Christian standout Marco Killingsworth, a 6-8 forward who averaged 25.5 points per game for the Birmingham school. Killingsworth played at Sidney Lanier in Montgomery as a sophomore and junior. He is a classic power forward with a solid 15-foot jump shot.

November signee Dwayne Mitchell, a 6-4 guard from Kennedy High in New Orleans, La., averaged 26 points per game. He is a high-leaping shooting guard, who has a flair for the spectacular.

May 11, 2001

Johnson, Mate Lead Track Team At SEC Meet

Gabor Mate

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Tigers opened competition on Friday at the 2001 SEC Track and Field Championships at the University of South Carolina.

Gabor Mate and Nerissa Johnson led the way for the seventh-ranked Tigers and unranked women’s team on Friday at the opening day of the SEC Track and Field Championships.

Mate, a junior, finished third in the hammer throw to score six points with the second longest toss in school history at 202 feet, nine inches. That is just eight inches short of teammate Ryan Kavanagh’s record of 203 feet, five inches. Mate’s effort provisionally qualified him for the NCAA Championships. He is the two-time NCAA champion in the discus and a 2000 Olympian.

The women’s team is in fourth-place with nine points at Weems Baskin Track and Field at the University of South Carolina. The men are in sixth place with nine points.

Georgia leads the men’s competition after the first full day with 23 points. Arkansas is second with 22, Tennessee is third with 21 points, LSU is fourth with 18 points and Alabama is fifth with 14 points. Arkansas leads the women’s competition with 47 points. Alabama is in second with 18 points, Georgia is in third with 10, and LSU is tied with the Tigers at fourth with nine points.

“It was a typical first day,” said fourth-year head coach Ralph Spry. “We had some ups and downs. We had some people do the things they needed to do and we had some that didn’t, but we need to focus and the good things and keep up that momentum for the rest of the championships.”

Kavanagh and Reedus Thurmond also picked up points for Auburn. Kavanagh, a junior, scored two points with a seventh-place finish in the hammer throw with a toss of 181-03. Thurmond, a fellow junior, added one point with an eighth-place finish in the same event with a throw of 173-03.

“The hammer was a great way to start the meet off,” said Spry. “We got nine big points from those three guys and that gave us a big boost.”

Sophomore Nerissa Johnson finished fourth in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 36:01.76. She gained five points for the Tigers and teammate Amy Odermatt finished fifth to score four points. The junior ran a time of 36:59.03.

Jared Hodge finished out of the points in the decathlon. The top eight spots score. He placed ninth with 6,420 points, 100 points away from eighth. He recorded personal-bests in four of the 10 events, including the pole vault by clearing 13-01.50. The freshman also recorded a 36 feet, 11 inches in the shot put and times of 16.27 in the 110 hurdles and 4:43.41 in the 1500m run.

Natalee Sterling led way in the 400 hurdles, winning the third heat with the fastest time of the event. The junior ran a time of 58.54.

May 12, 2001

Tigers Survive Major League Gut Check

Levale Speigner

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Auburn's magic number is down to one with an amazing comeback victory Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Auburn scored six runs with two outs in the eighth inning, powered by a two-run homer by Scott Schade, to overcome a four-run deficit as it defeated the LSU Tigers 7-5 Saturday night at Alex Box Stadium in a game that was halted for more than two hours because of thunderstorms and heavy rain.

“That’s as big as it gets,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said about the six-run inning to take the lead. “You’re down and you’ve got a chance to be swept right out of this thing and they just showed a lot of heart. I thought the rain delay helped us. I thought LSU was on a roll. Things really went our way with that.”

The win keeps the Tigers (34-17, 14-15 in the SEC) in control of their own destiny for the final spot in the SEC Tournament as they hold the tie-breaker with Alabama by virtue of Auburn’s sweep of the Crimson Tide earlier this year. LSU falls to 18-10 in the league and 37-16-1 overall.

Eric Brandon (4-3) picked up the win in relief of starter Levale Speigner by pitching two and one/third innings and allowing three hits and no runs. Speigner pitched a whale of a game in his starting bid, giving up just six hits and one earned run over six and two/thirds innings while striking out three. But it was the offense in the eighth that was the difference in this game.

With two outs and nobody on in the eighth inning, shortstop Jonathan Schuerholz earned what appeared to be a harmless walk off LSU pitcher Brian Wilson, or so it seemed. Right fielder Javon Moran then hustled out an infield single to put runners on first and second. Mailon Kent was up next and the senior continued to deliver, this time ripping a double down the right field line to score Schuerholz and moving Moran to third. That set up the at-bat of the year and maybe the career of Gabe Gross.

Facing Wilson with the season on the line, Gross fouled off a half-dozen pitches with a full count before lining a double just inside the left field line to score both runners and cut the lead to 5-4.

“I was just trying to get a pitch I could hit hard somewhere,” Gross said. “He was pitching great. He barely missed with a couple of fastballs, keeping everything knee or below. I don’t know how fast he was throwing but he was throwing hard. It seemed like he picked me to locate on and was doing a great job but finally he got a fastball a little up and I was just lucky to hit it hard.”

Todd Faulkner then doubled into the left-center gap to score Gross, setting up Schade for the eventual game winner. Sitting on a 1-0 fastball, Schade drilled one deep into the night to give Brandon a two-run cushion with just six outs remaining on his plate. The freshman delivered once again as his strikeout of Mike Fontenot with two runners on in the bottom of the ninth gave the Tigers their first win at Alex Box Stadium in their last six tries.

“It is real big,” Brandon said of the win. “Knowing that Alabama won today, now we know that we just have to come out and win tomorrow and we’re in. There’s not as much pressure on us but we just have to come out here and win. We’ve got to come out here and win.”

Auburn got the early lead when, in the second inning, catcher Trent Pratt singled to center field to score Faulkner from second. Faulkner reached on a single to center field off LSU starter Jason Scobie. With Speigner in control, it seemed like if Auburn could score just a few runs this one would be in good shape. But it didn’t happen.

Going three-up and three-down for the next four innings, the Auburn bats just could not find the range against the breaking ball throwing Scobie. LSU also was unable to capitalize against Speigner as his control and change of speeds constantly left the LSU hitters off balance. The only real threat the Bengal Tigers had was in the bottom of the fifth. Todd Linden led off the inning with a double to right field over the head of Moran. Sensing the importance of the situation, Speigner buckled down and got the next three LSU hitters in order, the last coming on a diving grab by second baseman Justin Christian to preserve the 1-0 lead.

That wouldn’t last for long as the Bayou Bengals would capitalize big-time off Auburn mistakes to take what looked to be a comfortable lead. Fontenot singled to left to start things and only a great play by Gross kept him from reaching second. Drilling an outside fastball off the left field wall, Fontenot rounded first heading for second but had to retreat hastily as Gross got to the ball on one bounce and threw a strike to Christian at second to hold him to a single.

It looked like that would be the play of the game for Auburn as Bryan Moore hit a weak flare to Schuerholz at shortstop for what looked to be a tailor made double play but he couldn’t find the handle and both runners were safe with no outs. After a Linden strikeout, Zeph Zinsman drilled a double to right center to score both runs and LSU had the lead.

Catcher Matt Heath would strike out before Sean Barker lifted a high fly ball to Moran in right field. Jogging in casually for the final out, Moran didn’t take notice of a weather change that had the wind blowing in towards home plate strongly rather than out to center field as it was when the game started. Not noticing until it was too late, Moran didn’t make the catch and another run scored to make the lead 3-1. Raymer would close the scoring with a single to right that scored Barker for the 4-1 lead.

Moran and Faulkner paced Auburn with two hits each as every starter but Schuerholz had a hit in the game. Ryan Theriot and Wally Pontiff had two hits apiece for LSU as Auburn held the powerful Bengal Tiger attack to just nine total hits.

The two teams close out the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. as true freshman Cory Dueitt (3-3, 4.46) takes the mound for Auburn against left-hander Tim Nugent (6-2, 3.36) for LSU. The game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis at 7 p.m. CDT by Colege Sports Southeast. The Tigers can wrap up the final spot in the SEC Tournament with a win. If not, they need an Alabama loss to secure their position. The tournament begins on Wednesday at the Hoover Met.

SEC Standings Through Saturday

Box Score

May 12, 2001

Looking For The Man in The Middle

Center Danny Lindsey

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cole Cubelic finished the 2000 season as the starting center, but he must be replaced this fall.

Tommy Tuberville says it is imperative that an experienced offensive front become a strength of the 2001 Auburn football team. He notes that the man in the middle, whoever that will be, should set the tone for that group this fall.

The head coach says he is generally pleased with what he has seen from the entire offensive front, particularly the veterans, during winter workouts and spring training. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says the Tigers are a work in progress up front, especially on the second team, but notes that he sees some signs of progress.

Nall and Tuberville both say the best surprise of the spring was the play of true freshman center Danny Lindsey, who spent much of his time working with the first unit. “We really hope to redshirt him this fall,” says Tuberville. “He did play well though and got better throughout the spring although his head was spinning at times, which is not surprising for someone who should still be in high school.”

Tuberville says that the key to success of the whole offensive line could be the center position, especially with a new quarterback taking over for two-year starter Ben Leard. Tuberville adds that he hopes that 6-2, 290 junior Ben Nowland is ready to return to his early season form from 2000 when he gets the green light to go full speed in preseason drills in August. Nowland missed all of the contact work in spring workouts, under doctor’s orders, as he recovered from offseason hand surgery. “We need Ben to step up and take charge at the position,” Tuberville says. “He has shown he can do it.”

If something happened to Nowland, Mike Pucillo would likely move over from right guard and take over the starting duties at center, Tuberville told Inside the Auburn Tigers.

Nall says that he plans to get Lindsey ready to play if needed this fall. The 6-3, 290-pound true freshman enrolled at AU in January. “Coming in, we didn’t know how he would do in picking up a new system and how he would be strength-wise and physically stand up to the other kids, but everything was a pleasant surprise,” Nall says. “He’s got great body strength and is really strong in his legs.

“He’s got a good leg drive and he’s got a good concept of the game of football,” Nall adds. “He’s a smart football player. He’s still got a ways to go on learning the terminology and executing it the way we want it done completely, but he really had a great spring. He’s done some great things that we can build on and he can come in and learn this summer and all that type stuff. So that was a sight to see and I think he’s got a bright future.”

Nall says several other Tigers had good springs on the offensive front, including redshirt sophomore Mark Pera, who also learned how to play center if needed there. However, the 6-6, 295-pounder will begin two-a-days in August as the first team right tackle. “I thought Mark Pera did a good job after moving from center to tackle and from right tackle to left tackle then back to center at times,” Nall says. “I think he’s got a bright future. I see a lot of playing time for Mark. He should be competing hard for a starting job.”

The Tigers open their 2001 season as the defending SEC West champions when they take on visiting Ball State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1st.

May 12, 2001

Golfers Finish 2nd At NCAA East Regional

Courtney Swaim

Auburn finished second in the 21-team NCAA East Regional women’s golf tournament to easily qualify for nationals.

The Tigers finished at 294-290-295 for an 871 total, eight shots behind the nation’s top-ranked Duke Blue Devils.

Auburn will next play in the 24-team NCAA Championship from May 22-25 at Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., near Orlando.

SEC champ Georgia finished third at 877, six shots behind Auburn, which is ranked third in the country.

“It was a total team effort the entire tournament as all five of our players finished in the Top 12,” said AU coach Kim Evans. “We were completely balanced. Now, we need to focus our attention on preparing for the NCAA Championship.”

Freshman Diana Ramage led Auburn with rounds of 76, 71 and 71 to finish in fifth place at 218. Celeste Troche shot 222 for ninth and Kimberly Strong, Danielle Downey and Courtney Swaim tied for 12th at 224.

This will be the sixth straight trip to the nationals for AU. The second place finish was the best showing ever by the AU women at a regional tournament.

May 12, 2001

Tigers Survive Major League Gut Check

Levale Speigner

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Auburn's magic number is down to one with an amazing comeback victory Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Auburn scored six runs with two outs in the eighth inning, powered by a two-run homer by Scott Schade, to overcome a four-run deficit as it defeated the LSU Tigers 7-5 Saturday night at Alex Box Stadium in a game that was halted for more than two hours because of thunderstorms and heavy rain.

“That’s as big as it gets,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said about the six-run inning to take the lead. “You’re down and you’ve got a chance to be swept right out of this thing and they just showed a lot of heart. I thought the rain delay helped us. I thought LSU was on a roll. Things really went our way with that.”

The win keeps the Tigers (34-17, 14-15 in the SEC) in control of their own destiny for the final spot in the SEC Tournament as they hold the tie-breaker with Alabama by virtue of Auburn’s sweep of the Crimson Tide earlier this year. LSU falls to 18-10 in the league and 37-16-1 overall.

Eric Brandon (4-3) picked up the win in relief of starter Levale Speigner by pitching two and one/third innings and allowing three hits and no runs. Speigner pitched a whale of a game in his starting bid, giving up just six hits and one earned run over six and two/thirds innings while striking out three. But it was the offense in the eighth that was the difference in this game.

With two outs and nobody on in the eighth inning, shortstop Jonathan Schuerholz earned what appeared to be a harmless walk off LSU pitcher Brian Wilson, or so it seemed. Right fielder Javon Moran then hustled out an infield single to put runners on first and second. Mailon Kent was up next and the senior continued to deliver, this time ripping a double down the right field line to score Schuerholz and moving Moran to third. That set up the at-bat of the year and maybe the career of Gabe Gross.

Facing Wilson with the season on the line, Gross fouled off a half-dozen pitches with a full count before lining a double just inside the left field line to score both runners and cut the lead to 5-4.

“I was just trying to get a pitch I could hit hard somewhere,” Gross said. “He was pitching great. He barely missed with a couple of fastballs, keeping everything knee or below. I don’t know how fast he was throwing but he was throwing hard. It seemed like he picked me to locate on and was doing a great job but finally he got a fastball a little up and I was just lucky to hit it hard.”

Todd Faulkner then doubled into the left-center gap to score Gross, setting up Schade for the eventual game winner. Sitting on a 1-0 fastball, Schade drilled one deep into the night to give Brandon a two-run cushion with just six outs remaining on his plate. The freshman delivered once again as his strikeout of Mike Fontenot with two runners on in the bottom of the ninth gave the Tigers their first win at Alex Box Stadium in their last six tries.

“It is real big,” Brandon said of the win. “Knowing that Alabama won today, now we know that we just have to come out and win tomorrow and we’re in. There’s not as much pressure on us but we just have to come out here and win. We’ve got to come out here and win.”

Auburn got the early lead when, in the second inning, catcher Trent Pratt singled to center field to score Faulkner from second. Faulkner reached on a single to center field off LSU starter Jason Scobie. With Speigner in control, it seemed like if Auburn could score just a few runs this one would be in good shape. But it didn’t happen.

Going three-up and three-down for the next four innings, the Auburn bats just could not find the range against the breaking ball throwing Scobie. LSU also was unable to capitalize against Speigner as his control and change of speeds constantly left the LSU hitters off balance. The only real threat the Bengal Tigers had was in the bottom of the fifth. Todd Linden led off the inning with a double to right field over the head of Moran. Sensing the importance of the situation, Speigner buckled down and got the next three LSU hitters in order, the last coming on a diving grab by second baseman Justin Christian to preserve the 1-0 lead.

That wouldn’t last for long as the Bayou Bengals would capitalize big-time off Auburn mistakes to take what looked to be a comfortable lead. Fontenot singled to left to start things and only a great play by Gross kept him from reaching second. Drilling an outside fastball off the left field wall, Fontenot rounded first heading for second but had to retreat hastily as Gross got to the ball on one bounce and threw a strike to Christian at second to hold him to a single.

It looked like that would be the play of the game for Auburn as Bryan Moore hit a weak flare to Schuerholz at shortstop for what looked to be a tailor made double play but he couldn’t find the handle and both runners were safe with no outs. After a Linden strikeout, Zeph Zinsman drilled a double to right center to score both runs and LSU had the lead.

Catcher Matt Heath would strike out before Sean Barker lifted a high fly ball to Moran in right field. Jogging in casually for the final out, Moran didn’t take notice of a weather change that had the wind blowing in towards home plate strongly rather than out to center field as it was when the game started. Not noticing until it was too late, Moran didn’t make the catch and another run scored to make the lead 3-1. Raymer would close the scoring with a single to right that scored Barker for the 4-1 lead.

Moran and Faulkner paced Auburn with two hits each as every starter but Schuerholz had a hit in the game. Ryan Theriot and Wally Pontiff had two hits apiece for LSU as Auburn held the powerful Bengal Tiger attack to just nine total hits.

The two teams close out the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. as true freshman Cory Dueitt (3-3, 4.46) takes the mound for Auburn against left-hander Tim Nugent (6-2, 3.36) for LSU. The game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis at 7 p.m. CDT by Colege Sports Southeast. The Tigers can wrap up the final spot in the SEC Tournament with a win. If not, they need an Alabama loss to secure their position. The tournament begins on Wednesday at the Hoover Met.

SEC Standings Through Saturday

Box Score

May 12, 2001

Tennis Tigers Fry Rice

George Matijasevic

Auburn took a 4-1 victory over the Rice Owls on Saturday to advance to the second round of the NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament.

The Tigers will play host Duke on Sunday with the winner advancing to the round of 16 to be held May 19-22 in Athens, Ga.

Auburn got victories from Tiago Ruffoni, Marc Kovacs and Georges Matijasevic in singles and also took the doubles point to clinch the match. Andre Boz was the only loser for AU at six singles and Rameez Junaid and Estrevam Strecker did not finish play after the Tigers clinched.

“That was a very tough match,” said Auburn coach Eric Shore. “Rice is a great team. We won doubles and that gave us the momentum heading into singles. They played us tough and it could of gone either way.”

The match began outdoors, but had to be concluded indoors due to bad weather.

May 12, 2001

Tennis Tigers Fry Rice

Tiago Ruffoni

DURHAM, N.C. -- The men's tennis team scored a 4-1 victory over the Rice Owls in the opening round of NCAA Tournament play.

Auburn took a 4-1 victory over the Rice Owls on Saturday to advance to the second round of the NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament.

The Tigers will play host Duke on Sunday with the winner advancing to the round of 16 to be held May 19-22 in Athens, Ga.

Auburn got victories from Tiago Ruffoni, Marc Kovacs and Georges Matijasevic in singles and also took the doubles point to clinch the match. Andre Boz was the only loser for AU at six singles and Rameez Junaid and Estrevam Strecker did not finish play after the Tigers clinched.

“That was a very tough match,” said Auburn coach Eric Shore. “Rice is a great team. We won doubles and that gave us the momentum heading into singles. They played us tough and it could of gone either way.”

The matches began outdoors but had to be moved inside because of inclement weather.

May 12, 2001

Tennis Tigers Fry Rice In NCAA Play

Tiago Ruffoni

DURHAM, N.C. -- The men's tennis team scored a 4-1 victory over the Rice Owls in the opening round of NCAA Tournament play.

Auburn took a 4-1 victory over the Rice Owls on Saturday to advance to the second round of the NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament.

The Tigers will play host Duke on Sunday with the winner advancing to the round of 16 to be held May 19-22 in Athens, Ga.

Auburn got victories from Tiago Ruffoni, Marc Kovacs and Georges Matijasevic in singles and also took the doubles point to clinch the match. Andre Boz was the only loser for AU at six singles and Rameez Junaid and Estrevam Strecker did not finish play after the Tigers clinched.

“That was a very tough match,” said Auburn coach Eric Shore. “Rice is a great team. We won doubles and that gave us the momentum heading into singles. They played us tough and it could of gone either way.”

The matches began outdoors but had to be moved inside because of inclement weather.

May 13, 2001

SEC Baseball Standings, Notes

Eric Brandon

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The pairings are almost complete for the SEC Baseball Tournament that starts on Wednesday in Hoover.

Latest SEC Standings (As of May 13)

EASTERN DIVISION SEC Pct. Overall Pct. Georgia 19-10 .655 39-16 .709 Tennessee 17-12 .586 40-15 .727 South Carolina 16-13 .552 40-15 .727 Florida 16-13 .552 33-22 .600 Vanderbilt 10-20 .333 24-30 .444 Kentucky 7-22 .241 22-33 .400

WESTERN DIVISION SEC Pct. Overall Pct. LSU 18-11 .621 37-17-1 .682 Mississippi State 17-12 .586 32-20 .615 Ole Miss 16-13 .552 35-19-1 .645 Auburn 14-15 .483 34-17 .667 Alabama 14-15 .483 31-23 .574 Arkansas 11-18 .379 27-28 .491

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday, May 8 Kentucky 3, Winthrop 1 Vanderbilt 9, Middle Tennessee State 8 Georgia 5, Georgia College 4 Wednesday, May 9 Mississippi State 6, UAB 5 Georgia 8, Georgia College 3 Florida 5, South Florida 4 Tennessee 11, Middle Tennessee 4

Friday, May 11 Georgia 7, Kentucky 3 Mississippi State 6, Ole Miss 3 South Carolina 6, Florida 3 Alabama 11, Arkansas 6 LSU 20, Auburn 5 Vanderbilt 12, Tennessee 8

Saturday, May 12 Kentucky 4, Georgia 3 Florida 14, South Carolina 7 Alabama 10, Arkansas 9 Auburn 7, LSU 5 Tennessee 11, Vanderbilt 8 Mississippi State 7 Ole Miss 6

Sunday, May 13 *Arkansas at Alabama [CSSE] 1 p.m. CT *Auburn at LSU 1 p.m. CT *Mississippi State at Ole Miss 2 p.m. CT *Tennessee at Vanderbilt 1 p.m. CT *South Carolina at Florida 1:30 p.m. ET *Georgia at Kentucky 2 p.m. ET *-SEC Game CSSE - College Sports Southeast 2001 Tournament Bracket Wednesday, May 16 [Games Televised Live on College Sports Southeast] Game 1 10 a.m. #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed Game 2 1 p.m. #2 Seed (LSU) vs. #7 Seed Game 3 5 p.m. #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed Game 4 8 p.m. #1 Seed (Georgia) vs. #8 Seed Thursday, May 17 [Games Televised Live on College Sports Southeast] Game 5 10 a.m. Loser G1 vs. Loser G2 Game 6 1 p.m. Loser G3 vs. Loser G4 Game 7 5 p.m. Winner G1 vs. Winner G2 Game 8 8 p.m. Winner G3 vs. Winner G4 Friday, May 18 [Games Televised Live on CSSE] Game 9 3 p.m. Winner G5 vs. Loser G7 Game 10 6 p.m. Winner G6 vs. Loser G8 Saturday, May 19 [Games 11-12 Televised Live on SEC-TV] [Games 13-14 Televised Live on College Sports Southeast] Game 11 10 a.m. Winner G7 vs. Winner G9 Game 12 1:30 p.m. Winner G8 vs. Winner G10 Game 13* 5 p.m. Winner G11 vs. Loser G11 Game 14* 8:30 p.m. Winner G12 vs. Loser G12 Sunday, May 20 [Championship Game Televised Live on SEC-TV] Game 15* 3 p.m. Winner G13 vs. Winner G14 NOTES *Game 13 will be necessary if the winner of Game 9 also wins Game 11. *Game 14 will be necessary if the winner of Game 10 also wins Game 12. If Game 13 is not necessary, Game 14 would start at 5 p.m. *If both bracket winners are undefeated, there will be no 5 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. games on Saturday and the championship game would be Game 13. *The second and third games each day will begin 30 minutes following the previous game, but no earlier than the designated start time. *All Times are Central. If The Season Were Over Today ... The seeds would be in the following order: *1. Georgia (Clinched) *2. LSU (Clinched) **3. Miss. State **4. Tennessee ***5. Ole Miss ***6. South Carolina ***7. Florida ****8. Auburn *-Division champions are top two seeds. Georgia is the Eastern Division Champion at 19-10 and has clinched first seed in the SEC Tournament by virtue of winning season series with LSU. The Tigers have clinched a share of the Western Division at 18-11 and have also clinched second seed. LSU wins a tie-breaker with Mississippi State. **-Miss. State wins tie-breaker with Tennesse because Bulldogs won 2-of-3 against Vols during season. ***-Ole Miss wins tie-breaker with South Carolina and Florida because Rebels had best record against league's top seed - Georgia (2-1). Both USC and Florida were 1-2 against Georgia thus the next tie-breaker has South Carolina winning one from LSU while Florida went winless against the Tigers. Ole Miss would be the fifth seed, South Carolina sixth and Florida seventh. ***-Auburn and Alabama are tied for eighth at 14-15, but the Tigers swept the season series and would make the SEC Tournament as the eighth seed. Georgia, LSU, Tennessee , Ole Miss, Miss. State, South Carolina and Florida have clinched berths in the SEC Tournament. If both Auburn and Alabama win or lose on Sunday, Auburn would be in the tournament. If Alabama wins and Auburn loses, Alabama would be in. An Auburn win would put the Tigers in the tournament, no matter what Alabama does. All other teams are eliminated from SEC Tournament contention. Tournament Seeding Information The eight teams that make up the 2001 Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament are determined by the best winning percentage in conference competition. The divisional champion with the highest conference winning percentage is the first seed and the remaining divisional champion is the second seed. All other teams are seeded by conference winning percentage. Where To Get Tickets Tickets for the 2001 SEC Tournament are $80 for reserved box seats, $15 for a single-game reserved seat, $48 for a Dr Pepper Six-Pack general admission book. A limited number of single game tickets will be available during the week of the tournament. Call (800) 240-2300 or (205) 933-1280 to purchase tickets.

May 13, 2001

SEC Baseball Standings, Notes

Eric Brandon

Latest SEC Standings (As of May 13) EASTERN DIVISION SEC Pct. Overall Pct. Georgia 19-10 .655 39-16 .709 Tennessee 17-12 .586 40-15 .727 South Carolina 16-13 .552 40-15 .727 Florida 16-13 .552 33-22 .600
Vanderbilt 10-20 .333 24-30 .444
Kentucky 7-22 .241 22-33 .400 WESTERN DIVISION SEC Pct. Overall Pct.
LSU 18-11 .621 37-17-1 .682 Mississippi State 17-12 .586 32-20 .615
Ole Miss 16-13 .552 35-19-1 .645
Auburn 14-15 .483 34-17 .667
Alabama 14-15 .483 31-23 .574
Arkansas 11-18 .379 27-28 .491
This Week's Schedule Tuesday, May 8
Kentucky 3, Winthrop 1
Vanderbilt 9, Middle Tennessee State 8
Georgia 5, Georgia College 4
Wednesday, May 9
Mississippi State 6, UAB 5
Georgia 8, Georgia College 3
Florida 5, South Florida 4
Tennessee 11, Middle Tennessee 4
Friday, May 11
Georgia 7, Kentucky 3
Mississippi State 6, Ole Miss 3
South Carolina 6, Florida 3
Alabama 11, Arkansas 6
LSU 20, Auburn 5
Vanderbilt 12, Tennessee 8
Saturday, May 12
Kentucky 4, Georgia 3
Florida 14, South Carolina 7 Alabama 10, Arkansas 9 Auburn 7, LSU 5
Tennessee 11, Vanderbilt 8
Mississippi State 7 Ole Miss 6 Sunday, May 13 *Arkansas at Alabama [CSSE] 1 p.m. CT
*Auburn at LSU 1 p.m. CT *Mississippi State at Ole Miss 2 p.m. CT
*Tennessee at Vanderbilt 1 p.m. CT *South Carolina at Florida 12:30 p.m. CT
*Georgia at Kentucky 1 p.m. CT
*-SEC Game CSSE - College Sports Southeast 2001 Tournament Bracket Wednesday, May 16 [Games Televised Live on College Sports Southeast]
Game 1 10 a.m. #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed Game 2 1 p.m. #2 Seed (LSU) vs. #7 Seed Game 3 5 p.m. #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed
Game 4 8 p.m. #1 Seed (Georgia) vs. #8 Seed
Thursday, May 17 [Games Televised Live on College Sports Southeast]
Game 5 10 a.m. Loser G1 vs. Loser G2
Game 6 1 p.m. Loser G3 vs. Loser G4
Game 7 5 p.m. Winner G1 vs. Winner G2
Game 8 8 p.m. Winner G3 vs. Winner G4
Friday, May 18 [Games Televised Live on CSSE]
Game 9 3 p.m. Winner G5 vs. Loser G7
Game 10 6 p.m. Winner G6 vs. Loser G8
Saturday, May 19 [Games 11-12 Televised Live on SEC-TV] [Games 13-14 Televised Live on College Sports Southeast] Game 11 10 a.m. Winner G7 vs. Winner G9
Game 12 1:30 p.m. Winner G8 vs. Winner G10
Game 13* 5 p.m. Winner G11 vs. Loser G11
Game 14* 8:30 p.m. Winner G12 vs. Loser G12 Sunday, May 20 [Championship Game Televised Live on SEC-TV]
Game 15* 3 p.m. Winner G13 vs. Winner G14 NOTES
*Game 13 will be necessary if the winner of Game 9 also wins Game 11
*Game 14 will be necessary if the winner of Game 10 also wins Game 12. If Game 13 is not necessary, Game 14 would start at 5 p.m.
*If both bracket winners are undefeated, there will be no 5 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. games on Saturday and the championship game would be Game 13.
*The second and third games each day will begin 30 minutes following the previous game, but no earlier than the designated start time.
*All Times are Central.
Where To Get Tickets Tickets for the 2001 SEC Tournament are $80 for reserved box seats, $15 for a single-game reserved seat, $48 for a Dr Pepper Six-Pack general admission book. A limited number of single game tickets will be available during the week of the tournament. Call (800) 240-2300 or (205) 933-1280 to purchase tickets.

May 13, 2001

Stunning Comebacks Send Tigers Into Postseason

Mailon Kent

BATON ROUGE, La. -- A second straight major comeback was needed for Auburn to land a berth in the SEC Baseball Tournament.

Trent Pratt’s RBI single with two outs capped a five-run rally in the ninth inning for the Auburn Tigers as they came from behind to defeat the LSU Tigers 9-7 Sunday afternoon at Alex Box Stadium.

The win secures the eighth spot and final spot for Auburn in next week’s SEC Tournament as the Tigers face the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the first round at the Hoover Met in Birmingham.

Even with an 0-9 start in SEC play, this Auburn team battled its way through adversity at seemingly every door to make the SEC Tournament for the fifth straight year. Finishing at 15-15 in conference play, perhaps no team in Auburn history in any sport came from a deeper hole to make postseason play.

“I told them I don’t think it’s ever been done,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said of the turnaround. “We did a lot of things this year that have never been done. It seems like every other streak was something new and different. They battled through things that are amazing. They’re just special, special.”

After making defensive gems for the entire game, LSU showed a chink in the armor in the ninth inning while holding a two-run lead. Jonathan Schuerholz hit an easy grounder that LSU third baseman Wally Pontiff fielded cleanly. Taking his time before throwing, Pontiff sailed it well wide of his target and Schuerholz was awarded second base with nobody out as the ball went out of play.

Leadoff hitter Javon Moran then singled him to third to give the Tigers some momentum once again after their backs were to the wall. Those two hits brought up Auburn’s Mr. Clutch, Mailon Kent. Not wanting his season and career to end, Kent drilled a double into the gap to score both Schuerholz and Moran to tie the game at six each.

“You can’t help but think that you’re a senior and you don’t know if you’re going to make the SEC Tournament,” Kent said of his hit. “This is your last at-bat as an Auburn Tiger for me and I didn’t want it to be.

“The first pitch was a strike and then he came back with two outside balls and I was just looking for a fastball down the middle,” Kent remembers. “Earlier in the game I had gotten some from the starter and I had kind of rolled over a few. I tried to hit it right back up the middle and I did.”

Gabe Gross was then walked intentionally to set up a force play with cleanup hitter Todd Faulkner coming to the plate. Surprising everyone in the entire park, Faulkner put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners up and set up the eventual game-winning hits.

Wanting to set up the force play once again, third baseman Scott Schade, who hit a game-winning two-run homer in the Saturday night comeback win, was walked intentionally to load the bases for second baseman Justin Christian. Already with two hits on the day, Christian lined one between third and short to score Kent from third and put Auburn ahead 7-6.

Pratt then finished it out with his single to center field that scored both Gross and Faulkner giving Auburn the three-run lead. LSU would add a run in the ninth before freshman relief pitcher Eric Brandon finished things for the second day in a row as Auburn won two-of-three from LSU for the first time since 1998 and won its first series in Baton Rouge since 1995.

“This really gives us a lot of momentum going to the SEC Tournament,” Brandon said. “Knowing that we came into the toughest place in the country to play and took two out of three from them and came from behind for both wins. It’s going to be big for us and we’ll be ready to play now.”

A senior was just as excited as the the freshman Brandon. “It’s awesome man,” Faulkner said after the comeback win. “This is one of the best places to play in college baseball and these are the two biggest wins of my life. This just typifies what we’ve been through. We never quit and good things happened. Nobody counted us in and we counted ourselves and basically we’re the only ones that matter because we had each other’s back every day. We kept believing.”

“That's one for the ages,” Renfroe said. “After batting back from a 0-9 start and make the SEC Tournament says a lot about these players. They are special group of people that never gave up and continued to battle all the way through.”

Auburn starter Cory Dueitt gave the Tigers a solid outing in the biggest start of his young career. Pitching six and two/thirds innings and allowing nine hits and five earned runs, Dueitt said that he’s just glad he kept it close enough for Auburn to have a chance in the final innings.

“I wanted to give us a shot,” he said. “We knew coming in that we needed to win and I wanted to keep us within striking distance. As you can see, our guys are going to come back for us. They’re not going to give up at the plate. If we’re within two or three, I feel like our chances are pretty good. I was just trying to go out there and do some damage control and keep it at a minimum. I feel pretty good about it.”

Auburn got on the board early thanks to yet another two-out rally, this time courtesy of some clutch hitting by the middle of the order. With one out in the first inning, Kent singled to right-center to get the outburst started. After a Gross walk put runners on first and second, Faulkner hit a grounder to Pontiff at third base. Luckily for the Tigers, both Kent and Gross were going with the pitch and the only play was to first giving Auburn two runners in scoring position.

Schade then delivered just like he did on Saturday night as he singled to left field to score both Kent and Gross to give Auburn the 2-0 lead.

LSU would get a jump-start of its own in the bottom of the second inning when Bryan Moore reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Christian. Todd Linden followed with a single to center to put runners on first and third with no outs. One out later, right fielder Ray Wright hit a bomb over the scoreboard in right field to give the Bengal Tigers a 3-2 lead.

Auburn would answer back with a run in the fourth, but missed opportunities would be the theme of the inning.

Following a leadoff single to center, Christian was picked off first base Brett Burnham at the plate to make two outs in the inning. Burnham doubled on the next pitch leaving Auburn fans to wonder what could have been. Schuerholz came up with yet another two-out hit with the next at bat, this one a single to center that scored Burnham to even the game at three.

LSU would add single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh and Auburn would add a single run in the eighth on a Kent solo home run to make it 6-4 heading to the ninth. The home run was Kent’s 300th hit in an Auburn uniform, making him only the 13th player in SEC history to reach that milestone.

The seventh-ranked home team made things interesting by scoring a run with two outs in the ninth to cut the final margin to 9-7 with a potential game-tying run at the plate. However, Brandon coaxed a pop out fly ball to end the game and clinch a berth for the Tigers in the SEC Tournament. Auburn had to win to extend its season because Alabama had completed a three-game sweep over Arkansas just minutes earlier and would have replaced AU as the sixth seed if Auburn had not won on Sunday.

Auburn’s record is 15-15 in the SEC and 35-17 overall. LSU is 37-18-1 and 18-12 in the league.

The Tigers now get to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met.

“When we got off to the 0-9 start we knew we had a big task in front of us,” Gross said. “But if we could just get into postseason play we could do something. We’re there now. We need to have a good SEC tourney run and come (NCAA) regional time, we need to start playing ball. I think we’re ready. We’ve got some pitchers coming up big time for us in clutch situations and our hitters are coming around. It’s going to be interesting.”

With this team, it’s always interesting and never was that more evident than this weekend in Baton Rouge when a team left for dead came back off the mat time and time again to live to fight another day.

Box Score

May 13, 2001

Stunning Comebacks Send Tigers To Postseason

Gabe Gross

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Trent Pratt’s RBI single with two outs capped a five-run rally in the ninth inning for the Auburn Tigers as they came from behind to defeat the LSU Tigers 9-7 Sunday afternoon at Alex Box Stadium.

The win secures the eighth spot and final spot for Auburn in next week’s SEC Tournament as the Tigers face the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the first round at the Hoover Met in Birmingham.

Even with an 0-9 start in SEC play, this Auburn team battled its way through adversity at seemingly every door to make the SEC Tournament for the fifth straight year. Finishing at 15-15 in conference play, perhaps no team in Auburn history in any sport came from a deeper hole to make postseason play.

“I told them I don’t think it’s ever been done,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said of the turnaround. “We did a lot of things this year that have never been done. It seems like every other streak was something new and different. They battled through things that are amazing. They’re just special, special.”

After making defensive gems for the entire game, LSU showed a chink in the armor in the ninth inning while holding a two-run lead. Jonathan Schuerholz hit an easy grounder that LSU third baseman Wally Pontiff fielded cleanly. Taking his time before throwing, Pontiff sailed it well wide of his target and Schuerholz was awarded second base with nobody out as the ball went out of play.

Leadoff hitter Javon Moran then singled him to third to give the Tigers some momentum once again after their backs were to the wall. Those two hits brought up Auburn’s Mr. Clutch, Mailon Kent. Not wanting his season and career to end, Kent drilled a double into the gap to score both Schuerholz and Moran to tie the game at six each.

“You can’t help but think that you’re a senior and you don’t know if you’re going to make the SEC Tournament,” Kent said of his hit. “This is your last at-bat as an Auburn Tiger for me and I didn’t want it to be.

“The first pitch was a strike and then he came back with two outside balls and I was just looking for a fastball down the middle,” Kent remembers. “Earlier in the game I had gotten some from the starter and I had kind of rolled over a few. I tried to hit it right back up the middle and I did.”

Gabe Gross was then walked intentionally to set up a force play with cleanup hitter Todd Faulkner coming to the plate. Surprising everyone in the entire park, Faulkner put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners up and set up the eventual game-winning hits.

Wanting to set up the force play once again, third baseman Scott Schade, who hit a game-winning two-run homer in the Saturday night comeback win, was walked intentionally to load the bases for second baseman Justin Christian. Already with two hits on the day, Christian lined one between third and short to score Kent from third and put Auburn ahead 7-6.

Pratt then finished it out with his single to center field that scored both Gross and Faulkner giving Auburn the three-run lead. LSU would add a run in the ninth before freshman relief pitcher Eric Brandon finished things for the second day in a row as Auburn won two-of-three from LSU for the first time since 1998 and won its first series in Baton Rouge since 1995.

“This really gives us a lot of momentum going to the SEC Tournament,” Brandon said. “Knowing that we came into the toughest place in the country to play and took two out of three from them and came from behind for both wins. It’s going to be big for us and we’ll be ready to play now.”

A senior was just as excited as the the freshman Brandon. “It’s awesome man,” Faulkner said after the comeback win. “This is one of the best places to play in college baseball and these are the two biggest wins of my life. This just typifies what we’ve been through. We never quit and good things happened. Nobody counted us in and we counted ourselves and basically we’re the only ones that matter because we had each other’s back every day. We kept believing.”

“That's one for the ages,” Renfroe said. “After batting back from a 0-9 start and make the SEC Tournament says a lot about these players. They are special group of people that never gave up and continued to battle all the way through.”

Auburn starter Cory Dueitt gave the Tigers a solid outing in the biggest start of his young career. Pitching six and two/thirds innings and allowing nine hits and five earned runs, Dueitt said that he’s just glad he kept it close enough for Auburn to have a chance in the final innings.

“I wanted to give us a shot,” he said. “We knew coming in that we needed to win and I wanted to keep us within striking distance. As you can see, our guys are going to come back for us. They’re not going to give up at the plate. If we’re within two or three, I feel like our chances are pretty good. I was just trying to go out there and do some damage control and keep it at a minimum. I feel pretty good about it.”

Auburn got on the board early thanks to yet another two-out rally, this time courtesy of some clutch hitting by the middle of the order. With one out in the first inning, Kent singled to right-center to get the outburst started. After a Gross walk put runners on first and second, Faulkner hit a grounder to Pontiff at third base. Luckily for the Tigers, both Kent and Gross were going with the pitch and the only play was to first giving Auburn two runners in scoring position.

Schade then delivered just like he did on Saturday night as he singled to left field to score both Kent and Gross to give Auburn the 2-0 lead.

LSU would get a jump-start of its own in the bottom of the second inning when Bryan Moore reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Christian. Todd Linden followed with a single to center to put runners on first and third with no outs. One out later, right fielder Ray Wright hit a bomb over the scoreboard in right field to give the Bengal Tigers a 3-2 lead.

Auburn would answer back with a run in the fourth, but missed opportunities would be the theme of the inning.

Following a leadoff single to center, Christian was picked off first base Brett Burnham at the plate to make two outs in the inning. Burnham doubled on the next pitch leaving Auburn fans to wonder what could have been. Schuerholz came up with yet another two-out hit with the next at bat, this one a single to center that scored Burnham to even the game at three.

LSU would add single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh and Auburn would add a single run in the eighth on a Kent solo home run to make it 6-4 heading to the ninth. The home run was Kent’s 300th hit in an Auburn uniform, making him only the 13th player in SEC history to reach that milestone.

The seventh-ranked home team made things interesting by scoring a run with two outs in the ninth to cut the final margin to 9-7 with a potential game-tying run at the plate. However, Brandon coaxed a pop out fly ball to end the game and clinch a berth for the Tigers in the SEC Tournament. Auburn had to win to extend its season because Alabama had completed a three-game sweep over Arkansas just minutes earlier and would have replaced AU as the sixth seed if Auburn had not won on Sunday.

Auburn’s record is 15-15 in the SEC and 35-17 overall. LSU is 37-18-1 and 18-12 in the league.

The Tigers now get to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met.

Auburn is in the bottom bracket for the double-elimination tournament with fifth-seeded South Carolina playing fourth seed Mississippi State in the first round at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The winner of Auburn's game plays the winner of the South Carolina vs. MSU game at 8 p.m. on Thursday. The loser of the Auburn vs. Georgia game plays the loser of the South Carolina-MSU game in an elimination contest at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 6 Ole Miss plays No. 3 Tennessee at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and No. 2 LSU plays No. 7 Florida at 1 p.m. that day.

Auburn making the tournament took a major comeback after losing three straight series to open league play.

“When we got off to the 0-9 start we knew we had a big task in front of us,” Gross said. “But if we could just get into postseason play we could do something. We’re there now. We need to have a good SEC tourney run and come (NCAA) regional time, we need to start playing ball. I think we’re ready. We’ve got some pitchers coming up big time for us in clutch situations and our hitters are coming around. It’s going to be interesting.”

With this team, it’s always interesting and never was that more evident than this weekend in Baton Rouge when a team left for dead came back off the mat time and time again to live to fight another day.

Box Score

SEC Tournament Tickets

Tournament Schedule

May 13, 2001

Tigers Win Their Way Into SEC Tournament

Mailon Kent

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Another huge Tiger rally earned AU a victory over LSU on Sunday.

Trent Pratt’s RBI single with two outs capped a five-run rally in the ninth inning for the Auburn Tigers as they came from behind to defeat the LSU Tigers 9-7 Sunday afternoon at Alex Box Stadium.

The win secures the eighth spot and final spot for Auburn in next week’s SEC Tournament as the Tigers face the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the first round at the Hoover Met in Birmingham.

Even with an 0-9 start in SEC play, this Auburn team battled its way through adversity at seemingly every door to make the SEC Tournament for the fifth straight year. Finishing at 15-15 in conference play, perhaps no team in Auburn history in any sport came from a deeper hole to make postseason play.

“I told them I don’t think it’s ever been done,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said of the turnaround. “We did a lot of things this year that have never been done. It seems like every other streak was something new and different. They battled through things that are amazing. They’re just special, special.”

After making defensive gems for the entire game, LSU showed a chink in the armor in the ninth inning while holding a two-run lead. Jonathan Schuerholz hit an easy grounder that LSU third baseman Wally Pontiff fielded cleanly. Taking his time before throwing, Pontiff sailed it well wide of his target and Schuerholz was awarded second base with nobody out as the ball went out of play.

Leadoff hitter Javon Moran then singled him to third to give the Tigers some momentum once again after their backs were to the wall. Those two hits brought up Auburn’s Mr. Clutch, Mailon Kent. Not wanting his season and career to end, Kent drilled a double into the gap to score both Schuerholz and Moran to tie the game at six each.

“You can’t help but think that you’re a senior and you don’t know if you’re going to make the SEC Tournament,” Kent said of his hit. “This is your last at-bat as an Auburn Tiger for me and I didn’t want it to be.

“The first pitch was a strike and then he came back with two outside balls and I was just looking for a fastball down the middle,” Kent remembers. “Earlier in the game I had gotten some from the starter and I had kind of rolled over a few. I tried to hit it right back up the middle and I did.”

Gabe Gross was then walked intentionally to set up a force play with cleanup hitter Todd Faulkner coming to the plate. Surprising everyone in the entire park, Faulkner put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners up and set up the eventual game-winning hits.

Wanting to set up the force play once again, third baseman Scott Schade, who hit a game-winning two-run homer in the Saturday night comeback win, was walked intentionally to load the bases for second baseman Justin Christian. Already with two hits on the day, Christian lined one between third and short to score Kent from third and put Auburn ahead 7-6.

Pratt then finished it out with his single to center field that scored both Gross and Faulkner giving Auburn the three-run lead. LSU would add a run in the ninth before freshman relief pitcher Eric Brandon finished things for the second day in a row as Auburn won two-of-three from LSU for the first time since 1998 and won its first series in Baton Rouge since 1995.

“This really gives us a lot of momentum going to the SEC Tournament,” Brandon said. “Knowing that we came into the toughest place in the country to play and took two out of three from them and came from behind for both wins. It’s going to be big for us and we’ll be ready to play now.”

A senior was just as excited as the the freshman Brandon. “It’s awesome man,” Faulkner said after the comeback win. “This is one of the best places to play in college baseball and these are the two biggest wins of my life. This just typifies what we’ve been through. We never quit and good things happened. Nobody counted us in and we counted ourselves and basically we’re the only ones that matter because we had each other’s back every day. We kept believing.”

“That's one for the ages,” Renfroe said. “After batting back from a 0-9 start and make the SEC Tournament says a lot about these players. They are special group of people that never gave up and continued to battle all the way through.”

Auburn starter Cory Dueitt gave the Tigers a solid outing in the biggest start of his young career. Pitching six and two/thirds innings and allowing nine hits and five earned runs, Dueitt said that he’s just glad he kept it close enough for Auburn to have a chance in the final innings.

“I wanted to give us a shot,” he said. “We knew coming in that we needed to win and I wanted to keep us within striking distance. As you can see, our guys are going to come back for us. They’re not going to give up at the plate. If we’re within two or three, I feel like our chances are pretty good. I was just trying to go out there and do some damage control and keep it at a minimum. I feel pretty good about it.”

Auburn got on the board early thanks to yet another two-out rally, this time courtesy of some clutch hitting by the middle of the order. With one out in the first inning, Kent singled to right-center to get the outburst started. After a Gross walk put runners on first and second, Faulkner hit a grounder to Pontiff at third base. Luckily for the Tigers, both Kent and Gross were going with the pitch and the only play was to first giving Auburn two runners in scoring position.

Schade then delivered just like he did on Saturday night as he singled to left field to score both Kent and Gross to give Auburn the 2-0 lead.

LSU would get a jump-start of its own in the bottom of the second inning when Bryan Moore reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Christian. Todd Linden followed with a single to center to put runners on first and third with no outs. One out later, right fielder Ray Wright hit a bomb over the scoreboard in right field to give the Bengal Tigers a 3-2 lead.

Auburn would answer back with a run in the fourth, but missed opportunities would be the theme of the inning.

Following a leadoff single to center, Christian was picked off first base Brett Burnham at the plate to make two outs in the inning. Burnham doubled on the next pitch leaving Auburn fans to wonder what could have been. Schuerholz came up with yet another two-out hit with the next at bat, this one a single to center that scored Burnham to even the game at three.

LSU would add single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh and Auburn would add a single run in the eighth on a Kent solo home run to make it 6-4 heading to the ninth. The home run was Kent’s 300th hit in an Auburn uniform, making him only the 13th player in SEC history to reach that milestone.

The seventh-ranked home team made things interesting by scoring a run with two outs in the ninth to cut the final margin to 9-7 with a potential game-tying run at the plate. However, Brandon coaxed a pop out fly ball to end the game and clinch a berth for the Tigers in the SEC Tournament. Auburn had to win to extend its season because Alabama had completed a three-game sweep over Arkansas just minutes earlier and would have replaced AU as the sixth seed if Auburn had not won on Sunday.

Auburn’s record is 15-15 in the SEC and 35-17 overall. LSU is 37-18-1 and 18-12 in the league.

The Tigers now get to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start when they take on the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met.

“When we got off to the 0-9 start we knew we had a big task in front of us,” Gross said. “But if we could just get into postseason play we could do something. We’re there now. We need to have a good SEC tourney run and come (NCAA) regional time, we need to start playing ball. I think we’re ready. We’ve got some pitchers coming up big time for us in clutch situations and our hitters are coming around. It’s going to be interesting.”

With this team, it’s always interesting and never was that more evident than this weekend in Baton Rouge when a team left for dead came back off the mat time and time again to live to fight another day.

Box Score

May 13, 2001

Looking For The Man in The Middle

Center Danny Lindsey

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cole Cubelic finished the 2000 season as the starting center, but he must be replaced this fall.

Tommy Tuberville says it is imperative that an experienced offensive front become a strength of the 2001 Auburn football team. He notes that the man in the middle, whoever that will be, should set the tone for that group this fall.

The head coach says he is generally pleased with what he has seen from the entire offensive front, particularly the veterans, during winter workouts and spring training. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says the Tigers are a work in progress up front, especially on the second team, but notes that he sees some signs of progress.

Nall and Tuberville both say the best surprise of the spring was the play of true freshman center Danny Lindsey, who spent much of his time working with the first unit. “We really hope to redshirt him this fall,” says Tuberville. “He did play well though and got better throughout the spring although his head was spinning at times, which is not surprising for someone who should still be in high school.”

Tuberville says that the key to success of the whole offensive line could be the center position, especially with a new quarterback taking over for two-year starter Ben Leard. Tuberville adds that he hopes that 6-2, 290 junior Ben Nowland is ready to return to his early season form from 2000 when he gets the green light to go full speed in preseason drills in August. Nowland missed all of the contact work in spring workouts, under doctor’s orders, as he recovered from offseason hand surgery. “We need Ben to step up and take charge at the position,” Tuberville says. “He has shown he can do it.”

If something happened to Nowland, Mike Pucillo would likely move over from right guard and take over the starting duties at center, Tuberville told Inside the Auburn Tigers.

Nall says that he plans to get Lindsey ready to play if needed this fall. The 6-3, 290-pound true freshman enrolled at AU in January. “Coming in, we didn’t know how he would do in picking up a new system and how he would be strength-wise and physically stand up to the other kids, but everything was a pleasant surprise,” Nall says. “He’s got great body strength and is really strong in his legs.

“He’s got a good leg drive and he’s got a good concept of the game of football,” Nall adds. “He’s a smart football player. He’s still got a ways to go on learning the terminology and executing it the way we want it done completely, but he really had a great spring. He’s done some great things that we can build on and he can come in and learn this summer and all that type stuff. So that was a sight to see and I think he’s got a bright future.”

Nall says several other Tigers had good springs on the offensive front, including redshirt sophomore Mark Pera, who also learned how to play center if needed there. However, the 6-6, 295-pounder will begin two-a-days in August as the first team right tackle. “I thought Mark Pera did a good job after moving from center to tackle and from right tackle to left tackle then back to center at times,” Nall says. “I think he’s got a bright future. I see a lot of playing time for Mark. He should be competing hard for a starting job.”

The Tigers open their 2001 season as the defending SEC West champions when they take on visiting Ball State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1st.

May 13, 2001

SEC Baseball Standings, Notes

Eric Brandon

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The pairings are almost complete for the SEC Baseball Tournament that starts on Wednesday in Hoover.

Latest SEC Standings (As of May 13)

EASTERN DIVISION SEC Pct. Overall Pct. Georgia 19-10 .655 39-16 .709 Tennessee 17-12 .586 40-15 .727 South Carolina 16-13 .552 40-15 .727 Florida 16-13 .552 33-22 .600 Vanderbilt 10-20 .333 24-30 .444 Kentucky 7-22 .241 22-33 .400

WESTERN DIVISION SEC Pct. Overall Pct. LSU 18-11 .621 37-17-1 .682 Mississippi State 17-12 .586 32-20 .615 Ole Miss 16-13 .552 35-19-1 .645 Auburn 14-15 .483 34-17 .667 Alabama 14-15 .483 31-23 .574 Arkansas 11-18 .379 27-28 .491

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday, May 8 Kentucky 3, Winthrop 1 Vanderbilt 9, Middle Tennessee State 8 Georgia 5, Georgia College 4 Wednesday, May 9 Mississippi State 6, UAB 5 Georgia 8, Georgia College 3 Florida 5, South Florida 4 Tennessee 11, Middle Tennessee 4

Friday, May 11 Georgia 7, Kentucky 3 Mississippi State 6, Ole Miss 3 South Carolina 6, Florida 3 Alabama 11, Arkansas 6 LSU 20, Auburn 5 Vanderbilt 12, Tennessee 8

Saturday, May 12 Kentucky 4, Georgia 3 Florida 14, South Carolina 7 Alabama 10, Arkansas 9 Auburn 7, LSU 5 Tennessee 11, Vanderbilt 8 Mississippi State 7 Ole Miss 6

Sunday, May 13 *Arkansas at Alabama [CSSE] 1 p.m. CT *Auburn at LSU 1 p.m. CT *Mississippi State at Ole Miss 2 p.m. CT *Tennessee at Vanderbilt 1 p.m. CT *South Carolina at Florida 1:30 p.m. ET *Georgia at Kentucky 2 p.m. ET *-SEC Game CSSE - College Sports Southeast 2001 Tournament Bracket Wednesday, May 16 [Games Televised Live on College Sports Southeast] Game 1 10 a.m. #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed Game 2 1 p.m. #2 Seed (LSU) vs. #7 Seed Game 3 5 p.m. #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed Game 4 8 p.m. #1 Seed (Georgia) vs. #8 Seed Thursday, May 17 [Games Televised Live on College Sports Southeast] Game 5 10 a.m. Loser G1 vs. Loser G2 Game 6 1 p.m. Loser G3 vs. Loser G4 Game 7 5 p.m. Winner G1 vs. Winner G2 Game 8 8 p.m. Winner G3 vs. Winner G4 Friday, May 18 [Games Televised Live on CSSE] Game 9 3 p.m. Winner G5 vs. Loser G7 Game 10 6 p.m. Winner G6 vs. Loser G8 Saturday, May 19 [Games 11-12 Televised Live on SEC-TV] [Games 13-14 Televised Live on College Sports Southeast] Game 11 10 a.m. Winner G7 vs. Winner G9 Game 12 1:30 p.m. Winner G8 vs. Winner G10 Game 13* 5 p.m. Winner G11 vs. Loser G11 Game 14* 8:30 p.m. Winner G12 vs. Loser G12 Sunday, May 20 [Championship Game Televised Live on SEC-TV] Game 15* 3 p.m. Winner G13 vs. Winner G14 NOTES *Game 13 will be necessary if the winner of Game 9 also wins Game 11. *Game 14 will be necessary if the winner of Game 10 also wins Game 12. If Game 13 is not necessary, Game 14 would start at 5 p.m. *If both bracket winners are undefeated, there will be no 5 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. games on Saturday and the championship game would be Game 13. *The second and third games each day will begin 30 minutes following the previous game, but no earlier than the designated start time. *All Times are Central. If The Season Were Over Today ... The seeds would be in the following order: *1. Georgia (Clinched) *2. LSU (Clinched) **3. Miss. State **4. Tennessee ***5. Ole Miss ***6. South Carolina ***7. Florida ****8. Auburn *-Division champions are top two seeds. Georgia is the Eastern Division Champion at 19-10 and has clinched first seed in the SEC Tournament by virtue of winning season series with LSU. The Tigers have clinched a share of the Western Division at 18-11 and have also clinched second seed. LSU wins a tie-breaker with Mississippi State. **-Miss. State wins tie-breaker with Tennesse because Bulldogs won 2-of-3 against Vols during season. ***-Ole Miss wins tie-breaker with South Carolina and Florida because Rebels had best record against league's top seed - Georgia (2-1). Both USC and Florida were 1-2 against Georgia thus the next tie-breaker has South Carolina winning one from LSU while Florida went winless against the Tigers. Ole Miss would be the fifth seed, South Carolina sixth and Florida seventh. ***-Auburn and Alabama are tied for eighth at 14-15, but the Tigers swept the season series and would make the SEC Tournament as the eighth seed. Georgia, LSU, Tennessee , Ole Miss, Miss. State, South Carolina and Florida have clinched berths in the SEC Tournament. If both Auburn and Alabama win or lose on Sunday, Auburn would be in the tournament. If Alabama wins and Auburn loses, Alabama would be in. An Auburn win would put the Tigers in the tournament, no matter what Alabama does. All other teams are eliminated from SEC Tournament contention. Tournament Seeding Information The eight teams that make up the 2001 Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament are determined by the best winning percentage in conference competition. The divisional champion with the highest conference winning percentage is the first seed and the remaining divisional champion is the second seed. All other teams are seeded by conference winning percentage. Where To Get Tickets Tickets for the 2001 SEC Tournament are $80 for reserved box seats, $15 for a single-game reserved seat, $48 for a Dr Pepper Six-Pack general admission book. A limited number of single game tickets will be available during the week of the tournament. Call (800) 240-2300 or (205) 933-1280 to purchase tickets.

May 13, 2001

Mr. Clutch Earns SEC Award

Mailon Kent

AUBURN, Ala. -- Mailon Kent hit .500 (7-14) for the LSU series, including a 3-5 day on Sunday with three runs scored and three RBI as the Auburn Tigers defeated the LSU Tigers 9-5 to take two out of three from the SEC Western Division Champions.

That was good enough for the SEC Office as it named the Mountain Brook native the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time in four weeks.

Becoming known as Mr. Clutch around some parts of Louisiana, Kent had an RBI double in Auburn’s six-run outburst in the eighth inning on Saturday to help Auburn overcome a 5-1 deficit and go on to a 7-5 win. In his three at-bats in the eighth and ninth innings on Saturday and Sunday, Kent was 3-3 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI.

Kent also set a few career records over the weekend as Sunday his solo home run in the eighth was his 300th hit in an Auburn uniform, making him only the 13th player in SEC history to reach that milestone. Kent also did something rarely done in an Auburn uniform, get 50 hits in SEC play. He became just the third Tiger to do so when he accomplished the feat this season.

With a team-best .357 batting average, Kent has also amassed 15 doubles, three home runs, 15 stolen bases and 50 RBI. His .397 average in conference play is also the highest on the team.

This marks the fifth time this year that a Tiger player has received weekly honors from the conference office. Kent and fellow outfielder Gabe Gross have each earned the award twice, while pitcher Hayden Gliemmo was SEC Pitcher of the Week on April 2.

May 13, 2001

Men's Golfers Finish Fourth At Maxwell

Coach Mike Griffin.

ARDMORE, Okla. -- Auburn's final regular season men's golf tournament was a good one, Coach Mike Griffin says.

In its final tuneup prior to NCAA regional play, the Auburn men’s golf team finished in a tie for fourth with Oklahoma at the 16-team Maxwell Invitational on Sunday.

Auburn’s team total of 854 was six shots off the winning pace set by Tulsa, four behind Oklahoma State and one behind Texas at the par 70 Dornick Hills Country Club.

Auburn junior Kevin Haefner shot a final round 69 to finish in third place individually. He had rounds of 68, 72 and 69 for a 209 total at one under par. Anders Holtman of Oklahoma State was the low scorer at six-under-par 204.

Auburn freshman Lee Williams carded a 66 on Sunday to go with rounds of 74 and 74 to finish 20th at 214. Senior Will Swift tied for 38th at 74-71-73 (218). Freshman Jonathan Dismuke shot a nine-over-par total 71-76-72 (219) and sophomore Jay Mundy finished 53rd after at 70-74-76 (220).

Auburn returns to action May 17-19 in the NCAA East Regional which will be played in Williamsburg, Va.

“I am happy with our finish and I feel good going into the East Regional,” Auburn coach Mike Griffin said. “We really needed the competition after taking a week off for finals. It was good to get out there and get a tournament going for us.”

Auburn entered the final round in seventh place after shooting a second round 291 following a 283 on Saturday, which put the Tigers 10 shots off the lead.

May 13, 2001

Tough Love For Tennis Tigers

Tiago Ruffoni

DURHAM, N.C. -- Auburn fell four-love to the fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devis in the second round of the NCAA Men's Tennis Tournament.

Durham, N.C.--The seedings held on Sunday at the NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament as Duke ended Auburn’s season with a 4-0 victory on its home courts.

The Blue Devils now advance to the round of 16 in Athens, Ga., that starts on Saturday.

Duke won two of three doubles matches to take a 1-0 lead with the doubles point and then won at two, five and six singles to clinch the victory.

Duke, which is seeded fifth nationally, improved its record to 23-3 while Auburn, the 21st seed, finished at 14-10.

“It was tough losing the first set in four of the singles matches, especially after losing the doubles point,” notes AU coach Eric Shore. “We did a good job coming from behind in the second set and were a few balls from forcing third sets. We had our opportunities today, but Duke is a top five team and they deserve it.”

Duke coach Jay Lapidus said, “I am really proud of our team. The doubles was very close and our number one doubles team played very well. Auburn fought really hard. Our four seniors really showed their composure today.”

On Saturday, Auburn defeated Rice 4-1 in the opening round of the tournament.

Auburn’s Rameez Junaid and Estevam Strecker were 8-6 winners in doubles, but Duke won at one and two doubles.

Tiago Ruffoni lost to Ramsey Smith 6-3, 7-5 at two singles. Strecker fell 6-3, 6-4 at five singles and Andre Boz fell 6-1, 6-2 to Alex Bose at six singles. The other three singles matches were called when the match was clinched.

May 13, 2001

Mate, Moncur, Martin and Gallimore Win Titles

Reedus Thurmond

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Auburn women's track team had its best showing in four seasons at the 2001 league championships.

Despite winning a pair of individual titles on Sunday, the Auburn men’s team finished seventh at the SEC Track and Field’s Championships.

The AU women’s team, which also had two individual champions on Sunday, did better with a fifth place showing at Weems Baskin Track and Field on the campus of the University of South Carolina. It was that team’s best showing since finishing third in 1997.

The Tennessee men and Arkansas women were runaway winners a the four-day event.

The Auburn men’s team scored 71 points with 22 from junior Gabor Mate, who won his third straight discus title. He set a stadium record with a throw of 205 feet, five inches. The two-time defending NCAA champ was joined by another NCAA champ, senior Avard Moncur, in the winner’s circle. Moncur ran the fastest time in the country this season to take the 400 meters in a sizzling 44.77.

Mate became the first three-time SEC outdoor champion for Auburn since James Walker won the 400 hurdles from 1976-79. He scored 10 in the discus and six each in the hammer and shot put after finishing third in both of those events.

Junior Reedus Thurmond contributed a second place in the discus. It marked the third straight year Mate and Thurmond finished one-two finish in the event. Thurmond threw 189 feet, four inches to earn eight points, an impressive performance coming off a broken bone in his leg suffered earlier this season.

Moncur anchored the second place 4X400 relay team featuring Shameron Turner, Harland Moore and Tim Green and Moncur finished second with a time of 3:03.99.

A pair of sophomores led the AU women. Shelly-Ann Gallimore won the triple jump at 43 feet, 4 1/2 inches. Martin set a school record in the shot put with a toss of 49 feet, 10 inches. Auburn had not won an individual SEC women’s event since 1998 when Lacena Golding won three. Martin also placed fourth in the discus with a throw of 158 feet, three inches.

Coach Ralph Spry said, “Anytime you can win an individual title in this conference you are good enough to win a national title. Overall we had a solid championship. On the men’s side we missed a few opportunities, but we had a great final day. The women had a very solid meet. They stepped up to have a great meet and the best thing is they are so young.”

Tennessee won the men’s title with 153 points while Florida was a distant second with 107.5 and Arkansas was third with 104. Alabama was fourth with 91.5 and was followed by Georgia (78), LSU (77.5) Auburn (71) South Carolina (68), Kentucky (28), Mississippi State(19.5) and Ole Miss (18).

Arkansas was an easy winner for the women’s title with 182 points and was followed by Florida with 112 and host South Carolina with 109. LSU was fourth with 103 and Auburn was next with 67. Alabama was sixth with 63.5 and was followed by Georgia (55), Ole Miss (39), Tennessee (31), Kentucky (29), Vanderbilt (15) and Mississippi State (12.5).

Auburn returns to action at the NCAA Championships on the campus of the University of Oregon from May 30-June 2.

Men's SEC Track and Field Championships Results

Women's SEC Track and Field Championships Results

May 14, 2001

Tough Tigers Ready To Face Georgia Dogs

Todd Faulkner

AUBURN, Ala. -- Winners of 15 of their last 21 SEC games, the streaking Auburn Tigers enter Wednesday’s SEC Ba seballTournament with as much momentum as any team in the field after winning two out of three against Western Division champion LSU in Baton Rouge over the weekend.

Now with the slate wiped clean for the postseason, Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe says his team will keep the same attitude they have shown the entire season when they start play against a Georgia team that swept them earlier in the year.

“We’re playing well obviously,” Renfroe says. “We finished strong so we look forward to going and competing. We’ll take them as usual, one game at a time and our M.O., I think anybody will tell you, is we show up and play hard. If we play well, we’ll have a chance to win.”

Playing well has been an understatement to describe an Auburn player in particular. A name that was lost in the shuffle before the season started was senior center fielder Mailon Kent. With Gabe Gross and Todd Faulkner getting the recognition they so richly deserved, the quiet speedster from Mountain Brook took a backseat to the power guys and just quietly went about his job.

Suffering a very slow start at the plate, Kent turned it around just about the time Auburn did as a team and his play has carried the Tigers down the stretch. Leading the team with a .357 batting average while also adding three home runs, 50 RBI, 15 doubles and 15 stolen bases, the former high school quarterback runs the perfect option play for the baseball Tigers. He can do anything at any given time and that makes him a dangerous player for other teams to defense. Whether he hits a home run or an infield single, his speed and veteran attitude make his a very important part of this special Auburn team.

“Really, without Mailon, we’re not here,” Renfroe says. “Everybody has heard me say many times and I think the teams we played early can attest to the fact that, even though he wasn’t getting base hits, he was hitting the ball as hard as anybody I had seen for outs. I told him sooner or later he’s probably going to run 20 or 21 straight hits together. He’s had an All-American year and I think his numbers would be All-American if his start had been better. but he’s carried us on his back.”

Kent was named SEC Player of the Week on Monday. (More on Mailon)

The Tigers now get the pleasure of playing the overall league champion Georgia Bulldogs in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met on Wednesday at 8 p.m. With a turnaround of gigantic proportion complete since his arrival two seasons ago, Coach Ron Polk has the Bulldogs on the brink of their first run in the NCAA Tournament since winning the College World Series in 1990. Many think this is completely out of the blue, but not Renfroe. “I don’t think it’s a surprise because he’s got as many or more players than anybody in the conference or the country,” Renfroe says. “With the HOPE Scholarship they have talent everywhere you can look. There’s great players and there’s redshirts. I think what Coach Polk did is what he has always done. He went in and organized and taught well, but there was plenty of talent. It wasn’t a surprise to people who know Coach Polk and what he can do with talent because the talent was there.”

Expected to challenge the Bulldog squad is sophomore right hander Levale Speigner. The ace of the Tiger staff with an 8-1 record and an ERA of 2.68 in 100 and two/thirds innings pitched this season, Speigner faced the Bulldogs earlier this year and got a no-decision after pitching six and one/third innings and allowing six hits and four earned runs. If Speigner isn’t good to go on just three days rest look for true freshman Colby Paxton to get the call. Paxton is 4-4 with an ERA of 4.18 in 51 and two/thirds innings pitched but in three and a third innings against Georgia earlier. Paxton gave up just two hits and one run while striking out two vs. the Bulldogs.

With the first game of the rest of the season just a few days away it’s still hard to fathom that this Auburn team made it back to .500 in the league and is in the SEC Tournament. With everything going in their direction right now, their head coach says there was a simple formula for the success of this team after the terrible start.

“It’s not magic,” Renfroe says about the turnaround this year. “We have good kids, they never quit. It wasn’t anything I did. We just kept working and I think it’s a testament to Gabe Gross, Todd Faulkner and Mailon Kent. If you watch practice, they never let guys quit and they never talked about being done. They talked about knowing they didn’t think anyone had ever been 0-9 and made the tournament. That was their goal and they accomplished it.”

Statistics

Tournament Pairings

May 14, 2001

Toughened Tigers Ready To Face Georgia Dogs

Todd Faulkner

AUBURN, Ala. -- Winners of 15 of their last 21 SEC games, the streaking Auburn Tigers enter Wednesday’s SEC Tournament with as much momentum as any team in the field after winning two out of three against Western Division champion LSU in Baton Rouge over the weekend.

Now with the slate wiped clean for the postseason, Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe says his team will keep the same attitude they have shown the entire season when they start play against a Georgia team that swept them earlier in the year.

“We’re playing well obviously,” Renfroe says. “We finished strong so we look forward to going and competing. We’ll take them as usual, one game at a time and our M.O., I think anybody will tell you, is we show up and play hard. If we play well, we’ll have a chance to win.”

Playing well has been an understatement to describe an Auburn player in particular. A name that was lost in the shuffle before the season started was senior center fielder Mailon Kent. With Gabe Gross and Todd Faulkner getting the recognition they so richly deserved, the quiet speedster from Mountain Brook took a backseat to the power guys and just quietly went about his job.

Suffering a very slow start at the plate, Kent turned it around just about the time Auburn did as a team and his play has carried the Tigers down the stretch. Leading the team with a .357 batting average while also adding three home runs, 50 RBI, 15 doubles and 15 stolen bases, the former high school quarterback runs the perfect option play for the baseball Tigers. He can do anything at any given time and that makes him a dangerous player for other teams to defense. Whether he hits a home run or an infield single, his speed and veteran attitude make his a very important part of this special Auburn team.

“Really, without Mailon, we’re not here,” Renfroe says. “Everybody has heard me say many times and I think the teams we played early can attest to the fact that, even though he wasn’t getting base hits, he was hitting the ball as hard as anybody I had seen for outs. I told him sooner or later he’s probably going to run 20 or 21 straight hits together. He’s had an All-American year and I think his numbers would be All-American if his start had been better. but he’s carried us on his back.”

Kent was named SEC Player of the Week on Monday, the second time this season he has earned that honor. He was 7-14 at LSU with three hits on Sunday.

The Tigers now get the pleasure of playing the overall league champion Georgia Bulldogs in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met on Wednesday at 8 p.m. With a turnaround of gigantic proportion complete since his arrival two seasons ago, Coach Ron Polk has the Bulldogs on the brink of their first run in the NCAA Tournament since winning the College World Series in 1990. Many think this is completely out of the blue, but not Renfroe. “I don’t think it’s a surprise because he’s got as many or more players than anybody in the conference or the country,” Renfroe says. “With the HOPE Scholarship they have talent everywhere you can look. There’s great players and there’s redshirts. I think what Coach Polk did is what he has always done. He went in and organized and taught well, but there was plenty of talent. It wasn’t a surprise to people who know Coach Polk and what he can do with talent because the talent was there.”

Expected to challenge the Bulldog squad is sophomore right hander Levale Speigner. The ace of the Tiger staff with an 8-1 record and an ERA of 2.68 in 100 and two/thirds innings pitched this season, Speigner faced the Bulldogs earlier this year and got a no-decision after pitching six and one/third innings and allowing six hits and four earned runs. If Speigner isn’t good to go on just three days rest look for true freshman Colby Paxton to get the call. Paxton is 4-4 with an ERA of 4.18 in 51 and two/thirds innings pitched but in three and a third innings against Georgia earlier. Paxton gave up just two hits and one run while striking out two vs. the Bulldogs.

With the first game of the rest of the season just a few days away it’s still hard to fathom that this Auburn team made it back to .500 in the league and is in the SEC Tournament. With everything going in their direction right now, their head coach says there was a simple formula for the success of this team after the terrible start.

“It’s not magic,” Renfroe says about the turnaround this year. “We have good kids, they never quit. It wasn’t anything I did. We just kept working and I think it’s a testament to Gabe Gross, Todd Faulkner and Mailon Kent. If you watch practice, they never let guys quit and they never talked about being done. They talked about knowing they didn’t think anyone had ever been 0-9 and made the tournament. That was their goal and they accomplished it.”

Statistics

May 14, 2001

Tournament Time For Tigers

Gabe Gross leads the Tigers in home runs this season.

AUBURN, Ala. -- Winners of 15 of their last 21 SEC games, the streaking Auburn Tigers enter Wednesday’s SEC Tournament with as much momentum as any team in the field after winning two out of three against Western Division champion LSU in Baton Rouge over the weekend.

Now with the slate wiped clean for the postseason, Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe says his team will keep the same attitude they have shown the entire season when they start play against a Georgia team that swept them earlier in the year.

“We’re playing well obviously,” Renfroe says. “We finished strong so we look forward to going and competing. We’ll take them as usual, one game at a time and our M.O., I think anybody will tell you, is we show up and play hard. If we play well, we’ll have a chance to win.”

Playing well has been an understatement to describe an Auburn player in particular. A name that was lost in the shuffle before the season started was senior center fielder Mailon Kent. With Gabe Gross and Todd Faulkner getting the recognition they so richly deserved, the quiet speedster from Mountain Brook took a backseat to the power guys and just quietly went about his job.

Suffering a very slow start at the plate, Kent turned it around just about the time Auburn did as a team and his play has carried the Tigers down the stretch. Leading the team with a .357 batting average while also adding three home runs, 50 RBI, 15 doubles and 15 stolen bases, the former high school quarterback runs the perfect option play for the baseball Tigers. He can do anything at any given time and that makes him a dangerous player for other teams to defense. Whether he hits a home run or an infield single, his speed and veteran attitude make his a very important part of this special Auburn team.

“Really, without Mailon, we’re not here,” Renfroe says. “Everybody has heard me say many times and I think the teams we played early can attest to the fact that, even though he wasn’t getting base hits, he was hitting the ball as hard as anybody I had seen for outs. I told him sooner or later he’s probably going to run 20 or 21 straight hits together. He’s had an All-American year and I think his numbers would be All-American if his start had been better. but he’s carried us on his back.”

Kent was named SEC Player of the Week on Monday, the second time this season he has earned that honor. He was 7-14 at LSU with three hits on Sunday.

The Tigers now get the pleasure of playing the overall league champion Georgia Bulldogs in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met on Wednesday at 8 p.m. With a turnaround of gigantic proportion complete since his arrival two seasons ago, Coach Ron Polk has the Bulldogs on the brink of their first run in the NCAA Tournament since winning the College World Series in 1990. Many think this is completely out of the blue, but not Renfroe. “I don’t think it’s a surprise because he’s got as many or more players than anybody in the conference or the country,” Renfroe says. “With the HOPE Scholarship they have talent everywhere you can look. There’s great players and there’s redshirts. I think what Coach Polk did is what he has always done. He went in and organized and taught well, but there was plenty of talent. It wasn’t a surprise to people who know Coach Polk and what he can do with talent because the talent was there.”

Expected to challenge the Bulldog squad is sophomore right hander Levale Speigner. The ace of the Tiger staff with an 8-1 record and an ERA of 2.68 in 100 and two/thirds innings pitched this season, Speigner faced the Bulldogs earlier this year and got a no-decision after pitching six and one/third innings and allowing six hits and four earned runs. If Speigner isn’t good to go on just three days rest look for true freshman Colby Paxton to get the call. Paxton is 4-4 with an ERA of 4.18 in 51 and two/thirds innings pitched but in three and a third innings against Georgia earlier. Paxton gave up just two hits and one run while striking out two vs. the Bulldogs.

With the first game of the rest of the season just a few days away it’s still hard to fathom that this Auburn team made it back to .500 in the league and is in the SEC Tournament. With everything going in their direction right now, their head coach says there was a simple formula for the success of this team after the terrible start.

“It’s not magic,” Renfroe says about the turnaround this year. “We have good kids, they never quit. It wasn’t anything I did. We just kept working and I think it’s a testament to Gabe Gross, Todd Faulkner and Mailon Kent. If you watch practice, they never let guys quit and they never talked about being done. They talked about knowing they didn’t think anyone had ever been 0-9 and made the tournament. That was their goal and they accomplished it.”

Statistics

May 14, 2001

Looking For The Man in The Middle

Center Danny Lindsey

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cole Cubelic finished the 2000 season as the starting center, but he must be replaced this fall.

Tommy Tuberville says it is imperative that an experienced offensive front become a strength of the 2001 Auburn football team. He notes that the man in the middle, whoever that will be, should set the tone for that group this fall.

The head coach says he is generally pleased with what he has seen from the entire offensive front, particularly the veterans, during winter workouts and spring training. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says the Tigers are a work in progress up front, especially on the second team, but notes that he sees some signs of progress.

Nall and Tuberville both say the best surprise of the spring was the play of true freshman center Danny Lindsey, who spent much of his time working with the first unit. “We really hope to redshirt him this fall,” says Tuberville. “He did play well though and got better throughout the spring although his head was spinning at times, which is not surprising for someone who should still be in high school.”

Tuberville says that the key to success of the whole offensive line could be the center position, especially with a new quarterback taking over for two-year starter Ben Leard. Tuberville adds that he hopes that 6-2, 290 junior Ben Nowland is ready to return to his early season form from 2000 when he gets the green light to go full speed in preseason drills in August. Nowland missed all of the contact work in spring workouts, under doctor’s orders, as he recovered from offseason hand surgery. “We need Ben to step up and take charge at the position,” Tuberville says. “He has shown he can do it.”

If something happened to Nowland, Mike Pucillo would likely move over from right guard and take over the starting duties at center, Tuberville told Inside the Auburn Tigers.

Nall says that he plans to get Lindsey ready to play if needed this fall. The 6-3, 290-pound true freshman enrolled at AU in January. “Coming in, we didn’t know how he would do in picking up a new system and how he would be strength-wise and physically stand up to the other kids, but everything was a pleasant surprise,” Nall says. “He’s got great body strength and is really strong in his legs.

“He’s got a good leg drive and he’s got a good concept of the game of football,” Nall adds. “He’s a smart football player. He’s still got a ways to go on learning the terminology and executing it the way we want it done completely, but he really had a great spring. He’s done some great things that we can build on and he can come in and learn this summer and all that type stuff. So that was a sight to see and I think he’s got a bright future.”

Nall says several other Tigers had good springs on the offensive front, including redshirt sophomore Mark Pera, who also learned how to play center if needed there. However, the 6-6, 295-pounder will begin two-a-days in August as the first team right tackle. “I thought Mark Pera did a good job after moving from center to tackle and from right tackle to left tackle then back to center at times,” Nall says. “I think he’s got a bright future. I see a lot of playing time for Mark. He should be competing hard for a starting job.”

The Tigers open their 2001 season as the defending SEC West champions when they take on visiting Ball State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1st.

May 14, 2001

Brewer Exploring Pro Options

Jamison Brewer

AUBURN, Ala. -- Point guard Jamison Brewer met with Auburn coaches on Monday and issued a statement about his decision to make himself available for the NBA draft.

Brewer, a 6-5, 180-pounder who averaged 8.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists this past season as a sophomore, is unlikely to be drafted. Unlike football, basketball players can send up a trial balloon and see where theystand in the eyes of the pros and then return to college as long as they don’t sign with an agent.
<p>
“I want to check my draft status by testing the NBA waters,” Brewer said in a statement issued Monday night. “I love Auburn University and would be very excited to return to Auburn for my junior year. I am very close to my coach in Coach <b>(Cliff) Ellis</b> and the staff have done so much to get me where I am and we will make this decision together.”
<p>
“I am not hiring an agent and will be in summer school at Auburn as planned. It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA and if this is not the right time, I know it will be in the future.”
<p>
Ellis, who is expected to field a very strong team next season, said, “We support Jamison’s decision to enter his name in the draft without hiring an agent. We always want the very best for our players and at this time Jamison is simply gathering information. We will help him obtain as much information as possible, but in the end it is Jamison’s decision and we will support it.”
<p>
Brewer’s shortcomings as a shooter will make it extremely unlikely he will be drafted this year with the NBA just selecting 58 total players in two rounds. However, if he improves his shooting as a junior or senior, he could develop into that caliber of a prospect.
<p>
Brewer made just 46.9 percent of his field goals and hit just 22.7 percent from three-point range last season for an Auburn team that posted an 18-14 record. His foul shooting percentage of 52.9 percent caused him to be pulled from games in certain situations down the stretch.
<p>
On the plus side, Brewer is known as a hard-working player and a great rebounding guard. He is also a creative passer and a strong defensive player. His high scoring game was 21 vs. Tennessee on January 6th.

May 14, 2001

The Eagle Has Landed

Celeste Troche

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- Brentwood, Tenn.--Sophomore Celeste Troche and freshman Diana Ramage qualified for the United States Women’s Open golf tournament Monday at the Brentwood Country Club on Monday. Troche did it in dramatic style.

The SEC Player of the Year, Troche qualified in spectacular fashion by knocking in a 175-yard shot with a nine wood for an eagle. That happened after she shot a 70 and was one of four players competing for four spots in the Open. The other 13 players were pros.

“I cant believe it, Troche said. “My ball striking wasn’t great all day, but I hit that shot pure. I couldn’t see it go in, but the crowd went wild and I figured it must have gone in.”

Ramage, the SEC Freshman of the Year, shot a 69. “I am sitting here with a slip that says I am playing in the U.S. Women’s Open and I couldn’t be more excited,” Ramage said.

Troche and Ramage are the first AU women’s golfers to ever qualify for the U.S. Open while competing for Auburn. Junior Courtney Swaim just missed making the playoff with a 71.

“I am so happy for Diana and Celeste as well as Courtney,” Auburn coach Kim Evans said. “All of them have had such a great year and this is a great preview to the NCAA Championship next week. They are so talented and are outstanding people and I couldn't think of anybody I would rather represent Auburn University than them.”

Ranked third nationally after qualifying second in the SEC East Regional on Saturday behind No. 1 Duke, the Tigers will travel to Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., near Orlando on May 22-25 for the NCAA Championship.

(For an in-depth look at Auburn star Celeste Troche, check out a feature on her in the April issue of Inside the Auburn Tigers magazine.)

NCAA East Regional

May 14, 2001

Brewer Exploring Pro Options

Jamison Brewer

AUBURN, Ala. -- Point guard Jamison Brewer met with Auburn coaches on Monday and issued a statement about his decision to make himself available for the NBA draft.

Brewer, a 6-5, 180-pounder who averaged 8.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists this past season as a sophomore, is unlikely to be drafted. Unlike football, basketball players can send up a trial balloon and see where they stand in the eyes of the pros and then return to college as long as they don’t sign with an agent.
<p>
“I want to check my draft status by testing the NBA waters,” Brewer said in a statement issued Monday night. “I love Auburn University and would be very excited to return to Auburn for my junior year. I am very close to my coach in Coach <b>(Cliff) Ellis</b> and the staff have done so much to get me where I am and we will make this decision together.”
<p>
“I am not hiring an agent and will be in summer school at Auburn as planned. It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA and if this is not the right time, I know it will be in the future.” Brewer has until June 20th to withdraw his name from the draft.
<p>
Ellis, who is expected to field a very strong team next season, said, “We support Jamison’s decision to enter his name in the draft without hiring an agent. We always want the very best for our players and at this time Jamison is simply gathering information. We will help him obtain as much information as possible, but in the end it is Jamison’s decision and we will support it.”
<p>
Brewer’s shortcomings as a shooter will make it extremely unlikely he will be drafted this year with the NBA just selecting 58 total players in two rounds. However, if he improves his shooting as a junior or senior, he could develop into that caliber of a prospect.
<p>
Brewer made just 46.9 percent of his field goals and hit just 22.7 percent from three-point range last season for an Auburn team that posted an 18-14 record. His foul shooting percentage of 52.9 percent caused him to be pulled from games in certain situations down the stretch.
<p>
On the plus side, Brewer is known as a hard-working player and a great rebounding guard. He is also a creative passer and a strong defensive player. His high scoring game was 21 vs. Tennessee on January 6th.

May 15, 2001

Tough Tigers Ready To Face Georgia Dogs

Steve Renfroe

AUBURN, Ala. -- Winners of 15 of their last 21 SEC games, the streaking Auburn Tigers enter Wednesday’s SEC Baseball Tournament with as much momentum as any team in the field after winning two out of three against Western Division champion LSU in Baton Rouge over the weekend.

Now with the slate wiped clean for the postseason, Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe says his team will keep the same attitude they have shown the entire season when they start play against a Georgia team that swept them earlier in the year.

“We’re playing well obviously,” Renfroe says. “We finished strong so we look forward to going and competing. We’ll take them as usual, one game at a time and our M.O., I think anybody will tell you, is we show up and play hard. If we play well, we’ll have a chance to win.”

Playing well has been an understatement to describe an Auburn player in particular. A name that was lost in the shuffle before the season started was senior center fielder Mailon Kent. With Gabe Gross and Todd Faulkner getting the recognition they so richly deserved, the quiet speedster from Mountain Brook took a backseat to the power guys and just quietly went about his job.

Suffering a very slow start at the plate, Kent turned it around just about the time Auburn did as a team and his play has carried the Tigers down the stretch. Leading the team with a .357 batting average while also adding three home runs, 50 RBI, 15 doubles and 15 stolen bases, the former high school quarterback runs the perfect option play for the baseball Tigers. He can do anything at any given time and that makes him a dangerous player for other teams to defense. Whether he hits a home run or an infield single, his speed and veteran attitude make his a very important part of this special Auburn team.

“Really, without Mailon, we’re not here,” Renfroe says. “Everybody has heard me say many times and I think the teams we played early can attest to the fact that, even though he wasn’t getting base hits, he was hitting the ball as hard as anybody I had seen for outs. I told him sooner or later he’s probably going to run 20 or 21 straight hits together. He’s had an All-American year and I think his numbers would be All-American if his start had been better. but he’s carried us on his back.”

Kent was named SEC Player of the Week on Monday for the second time in four weeks and was named a second team All-SEC pick by the league's coaches for a third time. Gross was named first team for a second straight season.

(More on Mailon)

The Tigers now get the pleasure of playing the overall league champion Georgia Bulldogs in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met on Wednesday at 8 p.m. With a turnaround of gigantic proportion complete since his arrival two seasons ago, Coach Ron Polk has the Bulldogs on the brink of their first run in the NCAA Tournament since winning the College World Series in 1990. Many think this is completely out of the blue, but not Renfroe. “I don’t think it’s a surprise because he’s got as many or more players than anybody in the conference or the country,” Renfroe says. “With the HOPE Scholarship they have talent everywhere you can look. There’s great players and there’s redshirts. I think what Coach Polk did is what he has always done. He went in and organized and taught well, but there was plenty of talent. It wasn’t a surprise to people who know Coach Polk and what he can do with talent because the talent was there.”

Expected to challenge the Bulldog squad is sophomore right hander Levale Speigner. The ace of the Tiger staff with an 8-1 record and an ERA of 2.68 in 100 and two/thirds innings pitched this season, Speigner faced the Bulldogs earlier this year and got a no-decision after pitching six and one/third innings and allowing six hits and four earned runs. If Speigner isn’t good to go on just three days rest look for true freshman Colby Paxton to get the call. Paxton is 4-4 with an ERA of 4.18 in 51 and two/thirds innings pitched but in three and a third innings against Georgia earlier. Paxton gave up just two hits and one run while striking out two vs. the Bulldogs.

With the first game of the rest of the season just a few days away it’s still hard to fathom that this Auburn team made it back to .500 in the league and is in the SEC Tournament. With everything going in their direction right now, their head coach says there was a simple formula for the success of this team after the terrible start.

“It’s not magic,” Renfroe says about the turnaround this year. “We have good kids, they never quit. It wasn’t anything I did. We just kept working and I think it’s a testament to Gabe Gross, Todd Faulkner and Mailon Kent. If you watch practice, they never let guys quit and they never talked about being done. They talked about knowing they didn’t think anyone had ever been 0-9 and made the tournament. That was their goal and they accomplished it.”

Statistics

Tournament Pairings

May 15, 2001

Looking For The Man in The Middle

Center Danny Lindsey

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cole Cubelic finished the 2000 season as the starting center, but he must be replaced this fall.

Tommy Tuberville says it is imperative that an experienced offensive front become a strength of the 2001 Auburn football team. He notes that the man in the middle, whoever that will be, should set the tone for that group this fall.

The head coach says he is generally pleased with what he has seen from the entire offensive front, particularly the veterans, during winter workouts and spring training. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall says the Tigers are a work in progress up front, especially on the second team, but notes that he sees some signs of progress.

Nall and Tuberville both say the best surprise of the spring was the play of true freshman center Danny Lindsey, who spent much of his time working with the first unit. “We really hope to redshirt him this fall,” says Tuberville. “He did play well though and got better throughout the spring although his head was spinning at times, which is not surprising for someone who should still be in high school.”

Tuberville says that the key to success of the whole offensive line could be the center position, especially with a new quarterback taking over for two-year starter Ben Leard. Tuberville adds that he hopes that 6-2, 290 junior Ben Nowland is ready to return to his early season form from 2000 when he gets the green light to go full speed in preseason drills in August. Nowland missed all of the contact work in spring workouts, under doctor’s orders, as he recovered from offseason hand surgery. “We need Ben to step up and take charge at the position,” Tuberville says. “He has shown he can do it.”

If something happened to Nowland, Mike Pucillo would likely move over from right guard and take over the starting duties at center, Tuberville told Inside the Auburn Tigers.

Nall says that he plans to get Lindsey ready to play if needed this fall. The 6-3, 290-pound true freshman enrolled at AU in January. “Coming in, we didn’t know how he would do in picking up a new system and how he would be strength-wise and physically stand up to the other kids, but everything was a pleasant surprise,” Nall says. “He’s got great body strength and is really strong in his legs.

“He’s got a good leg drive and he’s got a good concept of the game of football,” Nall adds. “He’s a smart football player. He’s still got a ways to go on learning the terminology and executing it the way we want it done completely, but he really had a great spring. He’s done some great things that we can build on and he can come in and learn this summer and all that type stuff. So that was a sight to see and I think he’s got a bright future.”

Nall says several other Tigers had good springs on the offensive front, including redshirt sophomore Mark Pera, who also learned how to play center if needed there. However, the 6-6, 295-pounder will begin two-a-days in August as the first team right tackle. “I thought Mark Pera did a good job after moving from center to tackle and from right tackle to left tackle then back to center at times,” Nall says. “I think he’s got a bright future. I see a lot of playing time for Mark. He should be competing hard for a starting job.”

The Tigers open their 2001 season as the defending SEC West champions when they take on visiting Ball State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1st.

May 16, 2001

Bulldogs Top Tigers In SEC Opener

Gabe Gross stops at second base.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Hoover, Ala.--Sometimes new faces emerge in the SEC Baseball Tournament.

A few years ago it was Alabama pitcher Jeremy Vaughn’s outstanding performance in the championship game that will always be remembered. Auburn will remember the name Shaun Helmey after Wednesday night. In his first career SEC start, Helmey pitched seven innings and allowed just three runs on seven hits as the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 8-4 in the first round game at Hoover’s Metropolitan Stadium.

In a rarity this season, Auburn starter Levale Speigner struggled from the outset of the game on Wednesday and never recovered before giving way in the fourth inning. Pitching three and one/third innings, Speigner allowed nine hits and five earned runs without striking out a single Bulldog batter. With 15 total hits in the game, the Bulldogs had the Tigers’ number as they picked up where their SEC Championship season ended.

“They were good,” said Auburn coach Steve Renfroe. “They made plays early and the guy that pitched got ahead. We looked a little sluggish early and they did what they had to do. Levale just couldn’t find it and early we thought we had to get into the fifth or sixth with Levale to get some energy going and he just didn’t have it tonight. He just wasn’t sharp. He was up with everything and he said he felt fine, he just didn’t have any feel tonight.”

A senior who has seen just about everything you can throw at him in terms of SEC baseball, center fielder Mailon Kent wasn’t a happy camper after an outing that was less than stellar for the Tigers. Totaling just nine hits and four runs, all of which came in one outburst in the eighth inning, Auburn looked anemic facing a pitcher that had only thrown one inning in SEC play before Wednesday night.

“It seems like every time in the tournament when you pitch a pitcher you’ve never seen before they do good,” Kent said. “When you pitch your number one pitcher they get beat, at least that’s what it has been like since I’ve been here. He hit his spots and did a great job. You have to give him credit, he got us out.”

Georgia got off to a good start vs. Speigner with a run in the first inning after four singles and added to it in the third inning with four big runs that put the Tigers in a hole. The big inning started with a David Coffey double to right center and two hits and a walk later Blake Bodenmiller reached on a fielder’s choice to score Adam Swann and the Bulldogs led 5-0. A single run in the sixth and two more in the eighth made the score 8-0 Georgia.

It took Auburn until the fifth inning before an infield single by Trent Pratt broke up a no-hit bid by Helmey. Unable to do anything until the eighth, Auburn got a rally going and Jonathan Schuerholz was the catalyst once again as he had been over the weekend vs. LSU. Singling up the middle, the shortstop was followed by Javon Moran, Kent and Gross, who all singled. Georgia then pulled starter Helmey in favor of Jody Friedman. The first AU run scored on a wild pitch by the reliever and a Gabe Gross single to left field scored the second.

Friedman was pulled after he walked Todd Faulkner to load the bases. UGA’s All-SEC closer, Jeffery Carswell, then came in and struck out Scott Schade and Justin Christian before Trent Pratt drove home two more runs with a ground rule double that bounced over the fence in left center field. That cut the lead in half at 8-4.

Carswell then got out of even bigger trouble by getting Brett Burnham to bite on a high fast ball on a 3-2 count to end the inning with a strikeout.

Auburn, which had two late-inning rallies to win its previous two games at LSU, didn’t have another left vs. the ninth-ranked Bulldogs. Auburn must now regroup to make one last run at an NCAA Tournament bid. Facing elimination like so many times before this season, Gross said this team will be fine.

“We haven’t done anything all year unless it was the hard way,” said Gross. “This is right along with our ‘MO.’ I don’t know why we can’t seem to get on top and stay there, but coming from behind is the way we like to do it, it seems. Having that experience, so many times we’ve had our backs against the wall and had to come out fighting. I think it will help. Hopefully, we can play a lot better tomorrow.”

Gross and Pratt were the only bright spots offensively for the Tigers with two hits each. Pratt added two runs batted in on the double. In addition to Speigner, Marshall Watts, Andrew Skinner and Sean Jones pitched for the Tigers in an effort to keep the game in check after the 5-0 deficit in the third inning. Of the three, Watts had perhaps the best outing. In his first SEC Tournament game, the freshman pitched two and one/third innings and allowed four hits and one run and did a good job of keeping the game within reach for Auburn.

The Tigers get one more shot to solidify their NCAA position when they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at 1 p.m. on Thursday. South Carolina was a 2-1 loser to Mississippi State on Wednesday and will present Auburn with a huge challenge if it is to remain in Hoover. Auburn has lost 12 of its last 13 games to South Carolina, including two of three earlier this season in Columbia.

Auburn will throw freshman right-hander Cory Dueitt (3-3, 4.33 ERA in 60.1 innings) while the Gamecocks will likely counter with junior left-hander Gary Bell. He is 10-5 on the year with an ERA of just 3.17 in 88 innings pitched this season. The winner will survive to play another day while the loser heads home to ponder over missed opportunities.

Box Score

May 16, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 16, 2001

More Seats For Jordan-Hare?

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 16, 2001

Golfers Ready For Regional

Kevin Haefner

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- The men’s team will be looking to follow the women’s example as the Tigers attempt to qualify for the NCAA Golf Championship.

The women’s team finished second last weekend at its regional qualifier to advance to the nationals.

Play for the men’s team runs Thursday through Saturday at the 7,120-yard Horseshoe Golf Club’s Green Course. Ten of the 27 teams in the NCAA East Regional will qualify for the nationals, which are set for May 30-June 2 in Durham, N.C.

SEC champion Georgia, ranked number one nationally, is the favorite along with second-ranked Georgia Tech and number three Clemson. This stacked regional also features fifth-ranked Florida, 12th-ranked North Carolina State, 15th-ranked East Tennessee State, 21st-ranked Virginia Tech and 22nd-ranked Duke. Auburn is 18th this week.

Other teams to qualify for the regional include Ole Miss and LSU from the SEC along with Rhode Island, Hartford, Yale, Penn State, Richmond, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Ole Miss, LSU, UAB, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Virginia Commonwealth, Charleston Southern, Xavier, Princeton, Iona and Maryland-Baltimore County.

All-SEC junior Kevin Haefner will play the number one spot for the Tigers, senior Will Swift is at two, freshman Lee Williams will play the three slot, sophomore Jay Mundy is at four and freshman Jonathan Dismuke is number five.

“It is very exciting to be playing for a spot in the NCAA Championship,” Coach Mike Griffin said. “We have done well in the east regional the past few years and I look for us to be ready to play on Thursday.” This is the 14th NCAA regional for the Tigers in 17 seasons with Griffin as head coach. The Tigers have advanced to the nationals 11 times.

Auburn qualified eighth at last year’s NCAA East Regional and was 14th at the NCAA Championship held at Grand National in Opelika.

May 16, 2001

About Our Web Site

War Eagle

AUBURN, Ala. -- For those just finding our new Inside the Auburn Tigers web site, this is the first in a series of articles on how to use the larger variety of options available on the message boards than were used on the old AuburnRivals.com site.

The first thing to do is select the “login” link at the top of the page and follow the prompts for New Users to pick your forum name and enter your email address. You will receive an email with your password and other information on it for further reference. If you forget that password, just go to the ”login” link again and click on the forgot password link and a new password will be emailed to you.

There are four options for viewing messages. Each forum will allow a maximum of 200 threads before that topic drops off the message board.

*Option One (Sort by topics)--This will likely be the most popular choice. At the top of the forum (message board) you chose to visit, click on the sort by options link and it will automatically set up the page for you.

Most posters will probably prefer to also expand the threads, which can be done by clicking on the link for that option.

Once you have done that, the posts are listed with the most recently posted thread at the top with responses posted directly underneath that thread. After you have read a particular post, it changes colors so you won’t have to remember which posts you have read and which you haven’t checked out yet as you navigate around the board and web site.

*Option Two (Discussion Topic)--At the top of the forum, just click on the link for this mode and you will be viewing posts with the topics listed in alphabetical order with characters like ? and numerals listed first followed by posts that begin with the letters A through Z.

*Option Three (Author)–If you are looking for a thread you started or a particular board member started, you can choose the author option just as you did the topics and and discussion topics. The posts are listed in alphabetical order, again starting with characters and numbers followed by letters A through Z.

*Option Four (Last Time Updated)--This option lists the most recently updated threads at the top of the board with the time of the latest post listed on the right. For example, a thread started at 8 a.m. and responded to at 11 p.m. would be on the board above a thread started at 7 p.m. and last responded to at 10 p.m.

To move quickly from a forum to the front page where articles are posted as news stories and features, you can click on the AUTigers.com logo at the top of the page or the link for the front page on the top left side of the page.

May 16, 2001

Auburn To Add New Sports Team

David Housel

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn is planning to take an extra step forward in its quest to avoid potential Title IX gender equity problems by adding another varsity intercollegiate sport for women students.

The new sport will be equestrian with an athletic department proposal getting a thumbs up from the university’s board of trustees athletic committee on Wednesday. Auburn will move its current club level program, which is sponsored by the School of Agriculture, to an NCAA program for the 2002-2003 academic year.

It will be the first new sport for Auburn since adding women’s fast pitch softball for the 1996-97 academic year.

Athletic Director David Housel has worked out an agreement with officials in the School of Agriculture to co-sponsor the team, which is projected to cost $300,000 a year to compete in NCAA competition. The athletic department will fund approximately half of the cost and the School of Veterinary Medicine has agreed to provide care for the horses, which are owned by the competitors. Dean Luther Waters Jr. said the program will be a major plus to School of Agriculture and that his school has donors who are enthusiastic about supporting the program.

There are expected to be approximately 35 to 40 members of the team, which will be run as a non-scholarship program.

Barbara Camp, who is the senior administrator for women’s sports at AU, praised board members for having the foresight to avoid a potential gender equity problem down the road and doing it without cutting back on established men’s programs, which she called an unfortunate and unintended effect of the federal guidelines.

Housel said there is a good possibility the SEC will sponsor a championship in the sport in the near future. It is traditionally one of the more popular sports in summer Olympic competition.

The University of South Carolina already has a team in place. Kentucky, Georgia and Mississippi State are also likely to enter teams in conference competition.

William Walker, who is the university’s interim president, said, “I think this is an exciting opportunity.”

May 17, 2001

Bulldogs Top Tigers In SEC Opener

Gabe Gross at the SEC Tournament.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Sometimes new faces emerge in the SEC Baseball Tournament.

A few years ago it was Alabama pitcher Jeremy Vaughn’s outstanding performance in the championship game that will always be remembered. Auburn will remember the name Shaun Helmey after Wednesday night. In his first career SEC start, Helmey pitched seven innings and allowed just three runs on seven hits as the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 8-4 in the first round game at Hoover’s Metropolitan Stadium.

In a rarity this season, Auburn starter Levale Speigner struggled from the outset of the game on Wednesday and never recovered before giving way in the fourth inning. Pitching three and one/third innings, Speigner allowed nine hits and five earned runs without striking out a single Bulldog batter. With 15 total hits in the game, the Bulldogs had the Tigers’ number as they picked up where their SEC Championship season ended.

“They were good,” said Auburn coach Steve Renfroe. “They made plays early and the guy that pitched got ahead. We looked a little sluggish early and they did what they had to do. Levale just couldn’t find it and early we thought we had to get into the fifth or sixth with Levale to get some energy going and he just didn’t have it tonight. He just wasn’t sharp. He was up with everything and he said he felt fine, he just didn’t have any feel tonight.”

A senior who has seen just about everything you can throw at him in terms of SEC baseball, center fielder Mailon Kent wasn’t a happy camper after an outing that was less than stellar for the Tigers. Totaling just nine hits and four runs, all of which came in one outburst in the eighth inning, Auburn looked anemic facing a pitcher that had only thrown one inning in SEC play before Wednesday night.

“It seems like every time in the tournament when you pitch a pitcher you’ve never seen before they do good,” Kent said. “When you pitch your number one pitcher they get beat, at least that’s what it has been like since I’ve been here. He hit his spots and did a great job. You have to give him credit, he got us out.”

Georgia got off to a good start vs. Speigner with a run in the first inning after four singles and added to it in the third inning with four big runs that put the Tigers in a hole. The big inning started with a David Coffey double to right center and two hits and a walk later Blake Bodenmiller reached on a fielder’s choice to score Adam Swann and the Bulldogs led 5-0. A single run in the sixth and two more in the eighth made the score 8-0 Georgia.

It took Auburn until the fifth inning before an infield single by Trent Pratt broke up a no-hit bid by Helmey. Unable to do anything until the eighth, Auburn got a rally going and Jonathan Schuerholz was the catalyst once again as he had been over the weekend vs. LSU. Singling up the middle, the shortstop was followed by Javon Moran, Kent and Gross, who all singled. Georgia then pulled starter Helmey in favor of Jody Friedman. The first AU run scored on a wild pitch by the reliever and a Gabe Gross single to left field scored the second.

Friedman was pulled after he walked Todd Faulkner to load the bases. UGA’s All-SEC closer, Jeffery Carswell, then came in and struck out Scott Schade and Justin Christian before Trent Pratt drove home two more runs with a ground rule double that bounced over the fence in left center field. That cut the lead in half at 8-4.

Carswell then got out of even bigger trouble by getting Brett Burnham to bite on a high fast ball on a 3-2 count to end the inning with a strikeout.

Auburn, which had two late-inning rallies to win its previous two games at LSU, didn’t have another left vs. the ninth-ranked Bulldogs. Auburn must now regroup to make one last run at an NCAA Tournament bid. Facing elimination like so many times before this season, Gross said this team will be fine.

“We haven’t done anything all year unless it was the hard way,” said Gross. “This is right along with our ‘MO.’ I don’t know why we can’t seem to get on top and stay there, but coming from behind is the way we like to do it, it seems. Having that experience, so many times we’ve had our backs against the wall and had to come out fighting. I think it will help. Hopefully, we can play a lot better tomorrow.”

Gross and Pratt were the only bright spots offensively for the Tigers with two hits each. Pratt added two runs batted in on the double. In addition to Speigner, Marshall Watts, Andrew Skinner and Sean Jones pitched for the Tigers in an effort to keep the game in check after the 5-0 deficit in the third inning. Of the three, Watts had perhaps the best outing. In his first SEC Tournament game, the freshman pitched two and one/third innings and allowed four hits and one run and did a good job of keeping the game within reach for Auburn.

The Tigers get one more shot to solidify their NCAA position when they take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at 1 p.m. on Thursday. South Carolina was a 2-1 loser to Mississippi State on Wednesday and will present Auburn with a huge challenge if it is to remain in Hoover. Auburn has lost 12 of its last 13 games to South Carolina, including two of three earlier this season in Columbia.

Auburn will throw freshman right-hander Cory Dueitt (3-3, 4.33 ERA in 60.1 innings) while the Gamecocks will likely counter with junior left-hander Gary Bell. He is 10-5 on the year with an ERA of just 3.17 in 88 innings pitched this season. The winner will survive to play another day while the loser heads home to ponder over missed opportunities.

Box Score

May 17, 2001

Gamecocks Eliminate Baseball Tigers

Justin Christian makes a throw to first base.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Auburn’s trip to the SEC Tournament was a short one. The Tigers were the second team eliminated from the eight-team affair after falling 5-2 to South Carolina on Thursday afternoon.

The Tigers now must wait to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Auburn lost its opener on Thursday night, falling 8-4 to top seed Georgia.

Auburn jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as leadoff hitter Jovan Moran reached base when he was hit by a pitch. He moved to third on a single by Mailon Kent and scored on a groundout by Todd Faulkner.

The lead didn’t last long as Auburn pitcher Cory Dueitt was rocked for a solo home run and a two-run dinger in the bottom half of the first inning.

Auburn cut the lead to 3-2 in the fourth. Justin Christian opened the inning with a walk and scored on a double by Brett Burnham. Auburn had a chance to do even more damage with runners on first and third base, but Moran killed the rally by hitting into a 6-4-3 double play.

Auburn also left two runners on base in the fifth inning. Another USC home run, a solo shot in the sixth inning, stretched the USC lead to 4-2.

The Gamecocks chased Dueitt in the seventh inning with an unearned run to make the score 5-2 on a single to center off of reliever Eric Brandon.

Auburn’s record drops to 35-19 and the Tigers must wait until Monday at 2 p.m. to see if they will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Jason Caldwell is at the Hoover Met and will follow this update with a more detailed report featuring interviews with players and Coach Steve Renfroe.

May 17, 2001

Gamecocks Eliminate Baseball Tigers At SEC Tourney

Justin Christian makes a throw to first base.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Auburn’s trip to the SEC Tournament was a short one. The Tigers were the second team eliminated from the eight-team affair after falling 5-2 to South Carolina on Thursday afternoon.

The Tigers now must wait to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Auburn lost its opener on Thursday night, falling 8-4 to top seed Georgia.

Auburn jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as leadoff hitter Jovan Moran reached base when he was hit by a pitch. He moved to third on a single by Mailon Kent and scored on a groundout by Todd Faulkner.

The lead didn’t last long as Auburn pitcher Cory Dueitt was rocked for a solo home run and a two-run dinger in the bottom half of the first inning.

Auburn cut the lead to 3-2 in the fourth. Justin Christian opened the inning with a walk and scored on a double by Brett Burnham. Auburn had a chance to do even more damage with runners on first and third base, but Moran killed the rally by hitting into a 6-4-3 double play.

Auburn also left two runners on base in the fifth inning. Another USC home run, a solo shot in the sixth inning, stretched the USC lead to 4-2.

The Gamecocks chased Dueitt in the seventh inning with an unearned run to make the score 5-2 on a single to center off of reliever Eric Brandon.

Auburn’s record drops to 35-19 and the Tigers must wait until Monday at 2 p.m. to see if they will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Jason Caldwell is at the Hoover Met and will follow this update with a more detailed report featuring interviews with players and Coach Steve Renfroe.

May 17, 2001

Gamecocks Eliminated Tigers At SEC Tournament

Justin Christian makes a throw to first base.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Auburn’s trip to the SEC Tournament was a short one. The Tigers were the second team eliminated from the eight-team affair after falling 5-2 to South Carolina on Thursday afternoon.

The Tigers now must wait to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Auburn lost its opener on Thursday night, falling 8-4 to top seed Georgia.

Auburn jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as leadoff hitter Jovan Moran reached base when he was hit by a pitch. He moved to third on a single by Mailon Kent and scored on a groundout by Todd Faulkner.

The lead didn’t last long as Auburn pitcher Cory Dueitt was rocked for a solo home run and a two-run dinger in the bottom half of the first inning.

Auburn cut the lead to 3-2 in the fourth. Justin Christian opened the inning with a walk and scored on a double by Brett Burnham. Auburn had a chance to do even more damage with runners on first and third base, but Moran killed the rally by hitting into a 6-4-3 double play.

Auburn also left two runners on base in the fifth inning. Another USC home run, a solo shot in the sixth inning, stretched the USC lead to 4-2.

The Gamecocks chased Dueitt in the seventh inning with an unearned run to make the score 5-2 on a single to center off of reliever Eric Brandon.

Auburn’s record drops to 35-19 and the Tigers must wait until Monday at 2 p.m. to see if they will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Jason Caldwell is at the Hoover Met and will follow this update with a more detailed report featuring interviews with players and Coach Steve Renfroe.

May 17, 2001

Late Rally Falls Short, NCAA Next?

Justin Christian makes a throw to first base.

HOOVER, Ala. -- It’s now out of Auburn’s hands. Powered by three home runs, including two in the first inning, the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Tigers 5-4 Thursday afternoon at the Hoover Met to eliminate Auburn from the 2001 SEC Tournament in just two games.

Auburn now must wait until Monday at 2 p.m. to find out whether its high RPI rating (No. 10 nationally) will be enough to get it a berth into this year’s 64-team NCAA Tournament.

Cory Dueitt gave the Tigers a more than respectable performance on the mound in his first career SEC Tournament outing by pitching six and one/third innings, allowing six hits and five runs. Although it wasn’t quite enough, the freshman more than held his own against South Carolina starter Gary Bell.

Allowing five hits and just two runs in just over four innings, Bell gave way to Brett Price in the fifth and he pitched two and one/thirds to pick up his sixth win of the season against no defeats. He allowed just one hit on the day as his ERA dropped to a miniscule 1.69 on the year.

Auburn once again failed to capitalize on the opportunities given them. Leaving a runner on base in all but one inning in the game, the Tigers left a total of 13 for the game as they just couldn’t find the big hit when they needed it. Unlike last weekend in Baton Rouge, this time the Tigers just came up a little short.

“I thought they played very well on defense, they are very physical,” said Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe. “They got a couple of balls out of the park and that ended up being the difference in the game. I thought Cory Dueitt was very good once again and I thought Eric Brandon was very good. It was a college baseball game and they ended up making a big pitch when they had to.”

That big pitch came in the top of the ninth inning. Trailing 5-2, the Tigers once again were looking for lightning to strike. It almost did as Javon Moran got things going with a single to right field. After a Mailon Kent pop to short for the first out of the game, Gabe Gross walked for the fourth time on the day to put runners on first and second for Todd Faulkner. The senior hit a slow roller to shortstop Drew Meyer and turning to throw to second for the force, he missed his target and threw the ball into right field scoring Moran and allowing Gross to move to third.

Scott Schade drew a walk to load the bases for Justin Christian. Looking to redeem himself for a dropped pop up in the seventh inning that led to the eventual game-winning run, Christian lifted a 3-2 fastball into center field but it wasn’t deep enough to score a run as Marcus McBeth threw a strike to the plate. Trent Pratt then worked Gamecock closer Lee Gronkiewicz to a full count before earning a walk to score Gross. That cut the lead to just one, bringing Brett Burnham to the plate. Facing the all-time single season saves leader in SEC history, Burnham was unable to put the ball in play as he struck out swinging for the last out of the game, giving Gronkiewicz his 16th save this season.

“I didn’t have any doubt we were going to win the game until the last out was recorded,” Gross said. “We’ve been there so many times over the year, especially the last two wins in Baton Rouge. I don’t think there’s a tougher place in the world to try to come back on an opponent than down there. We were able to do that by getting a bunch of guys to come up clutch with some great hits and some great at-bats. We had them today, we just came up a little short.”

The Tigers came up short because of the power of the Gamecocks. After Auburn got an early lead thanks to a Faulkner groundout that scored Moran, South Carolina wasted little time in flexing its muscles. Lead-off man McBeth deposited a 1-2 delivery from Dueitt just to the right of the 405-foot sign in center field to quickly tie the game. A couple of batters later they were at it again as catcher Tim Whittaker drilled one deep over the left field wall with a runner aboard to make the score 3-1 after one inning of play.

Dueitt gained control from that point, but Auburn just couldn’t get enough going offensively. The Tigers did add a run in the fourth as Christian scored all the way from first on a Burnham double to make the score 3-2. Jonathan Schuerholz then singled to left to give Auburn runners on first and third with just one out. The threat would end quickly though as Moran drilled a grounder to short that the Gamecocks turned into a double play to end the inning.

Two more mistakes would really come back to haunt the Tigers as they tried to make a valiant comeback in the ninth. The first was just a simple bad pitch in the sixth inning that Garris Gonce drilled over the left field wall to make the score 4-2 South Carolina.

“I came out and made two mistakes in the first and they hit them both,” Dueitt said. “I settled back in and told myself to keep the game close and give us a chance. We’ve seen what our hitters can do late in the game. I was trying to keep us in the game, keep us close, and give us a chance to win it.”

The second was just simply a killer. Leading off the seventh inning, Tripp Kelly popped one to Christian at second base. Shading his eyes from the late afternoon sun, the junior dropped the ball to allow the eventual game-winning run aboard. Following a sacrifice bunt, he would score on a single to center field by Drew Meyer with a run that would eventually put the nail in Auburn’s coffin.

The Tigers now await word on their future as they must hope their accomplishments over the course of the season will be enough to get them in the tournament. With wins over Top 10 foes like Georgia Tech, Tennessee and LSU, their schedule is littered with probable NCAA Tournament teams from the first game until the last. With all but one of their 19 losses against those teams, the Tigers look like a legitimate contender for a regional berth. Now they must wait and see if it happens.

“You’re in the best league in the country,” Renfroe said. “We’re 10th in the country in the RPI. We just played a Top 10 team and another ranked team and got beat. We’re very deserving of it. If you want to get into the sentiment that we don’t want the SEC to dominate, that’s somebody else’s opinion. I think that’s unfair. If it’s the top 64 teams, we’re one of them.”

Box Score

May 17, 2001

Late Rally Falls Short

Justin Christian makes a throw to first base.

HOOVER, Ala. -- It’s now out of Auburn’s hands. Powered by three home runs, including two in the first inning, the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Tigers 5-4 Thursday afternoon at the Hoover Met to eliminate Auburn from the 2001 SEC Tournament in just two games.

Auburn now must wait until Monday at 2 p.m. to find out whether its high RPI rating (No. 10 nationally) will be enough to get it a berth into this year’s 64-team NCAA Tournament.

Cory Dueitt gave the Tigers a more than respectable performance on the mound in his first career SEC Tournament outing by pitching six and one/third innings, allowing six hits and five runs. Although it wasn’t quite enough, the freshman more than held his own against South Carolina starter Gary Bell.

Allowing five hits and just two runs in just over four innings, Bell gave way to Brett Price in the fifth and he pitched two and one/thirds to pick up his sixth win of the season against no defeats. He allowed just one hit on the day as his ERA dropped to a miniscule 1.69 on the year.

Auburn once again failed to capitalize on the opportunities given them. Leaving a runner on base in all but one inning in the game, the Tigers left a total of 13 for the game as they just couldn’t find the big hit when they needed it. Unlike last weekend in Baton Rouge, this time the Tigers just came up a little short.

“I thought they played very well on defense, they are very physical,” said Auburn head coach Steve Renfroe. “They got a couple of balls out of the park and that ended up being the difference in the game. I thought Cory Dueitt was very good once again and I thought Eric Brandon was very good. It was a college baseball game and they ended up making a big pitch when they had to.”

That big pitch came in the top of the ninth inning. Trailing 5-2, the Tigers once again were looking for lightning to strike. It almost did as Javon Moran got things going with a single to right field. After a Mailon Kent pop to short for the first out of the game, Gabe Gross walked for the fourth time on the day to put runners on first and second for Todd Faulkner. The senior hit a slow roller to shortstop Drew Meyer and turning to throw to second for the force, he missed his target and threw the ball into right field scoring Moran and allowing Gross to move to third.

Scott Schade drew a walk to load the bases for Justin Christian. Looking to redeem himself for a dropped pop up in the seventh inning that led to the eventual game-winning run, Christian lifted a 3-2 fastball into center field but it wasn’t deep enough to score a run as Marcus McBeth threw a strike to the plate. Trent Pratt then worked Gamecock closer Lee Gronkiewicz to a full count before earning a walk to score Gross. That cut the lead to just one, bringing Brett Burnham to the plate. Facing the all-time single season saves leader in SEC history, Burnham was unable to put the ball in play as he struck out swinging for the last out of the game, giving Gronkiewicz his 16th save this season.

“I didn’t have any doubt we were going to win the game until the last out was recorded,” Gross said. “We’ve been there so many times over the year, especially the last two wins in Baton Rouge. I don’t think there’s a tougher place in the world to try to come back on an opponent than down there. We were able to do that by getting a bunch of guys to come up clutch with some great hits and some great at-bats. We had them today, we just came up a little short.”

The Tigers came up short because of the power of the Gamecocks. After Auburn got an early lead thanks to a Faulkner groundout that scored Moran, South Carolina wasted little time in flexing its muscles. Lead-off man McBeth deposited a 1-2 delivery from Dueitt just to the right of the 405-foot sign in center field to quickly tie the game. A couple of batters later they were at it again as catcher Tim Whittaker drilled one deep over the left field wall with a runner aboard to make the score 3-1 after one inning of play.

Dueitt gained control from that point, but Auburn just couldn’t get enough going offensively. The Tigers did add a run in the fourth as Christian scored all the way from first on a Burnham double to make the score 3-2. Jonathan Schuerholz then singled to left to give Auburn runners on first and third with just one out. The threat would end quickly though as Moran drilled a grounder to short that the Gamecocks turned into a double play to end the inning.

Two more mistakes would really come back to haunt the Tigers as they tried to make a valiant comeback in the ninth. The first was just a simple bad pitch in the sixth inning that Garris Gonce drilled over the left field wall to make the score 4-2 South Carolina.

“I came out and made two mistakes in the first and they hit them both,” Dueitt said. “I settled back in and told myself to keep the game close and give us a chance. We’ve seen what our hitters can do late in the game. I was trying to keep us in the game, keep us close, and give us a chance to win it.”

The second was just simply a killer. Leading off the seventh inning, Tripp Kelly popped one to Christian at second base. Shading his eyes from the late afternoon sun, the junior dropped the ball to allow the eventual game-winning run aboard. Following a sacrifice bunt, he would score on a single to center field by Drew Meyer with a run that would eventually put the nail in Auburn’s coffin.

The Tigers now await word on their future as they must hope their accomplishments over the course of the season will be enough to get them in the tournament. With wins over Top 10 foes like Georgia Tech, Tennessee and LSU, their schedule is littered with probable NCAA Tournament teams from the first game until the last. With all but one of their 19 losses against those teams, the Tigers look like a legitimate contender for a regional berth. Now they must wait and see if it happens.

“You’re in the best league in the country,” Renfroe said. “We’re 10th in the country in the RPI. We just played a Top 10 team and another ranked team and got beat. We’re very deserving of it. If you want to get into the sentiment that we don’t want the SEC to dominate, that’s somebody else’s opinion. I think that’s unfair. If it’s the top 64 teams, we’re one of them.”

Box Score

May 17, 2001

Prep Prospects Hope To Impress College Coaches

2000 Combine standout Keldrick Williams, a Tennessee signee.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Montgomery, Ala.--Rising senior football prospects from around the state of Alabama will be in Montgomery on Friday and Saturday for the fourth annual Jackson Hospital Sports Medicine Capital City Combine.

With changes to NCAA rules that allow coaching staffs to make more than one in-person evaluation of a prospect during the May contact period, more college coaches than ever are expected to be on hand to scout players who will be seniors in the fall.

“We are excited about this year’s event,” says David Jones, director of the combine. “We believe it is going to our biggest and best yet. We are expecting a total of 187 kids from 85 different high schools.”

Coaches from Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Nebraska and a variety of other colleges will be at the event, Jones says.

The players report to Montgomery on Friday for physicals and a weigh in and they will listen to a speech from Jeremiah Castille that evening on preparing for college football.

On Saturday at 7 a.m. the punters and kickers will begin their combine tests at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. At 9 a.m. the other players will begin to run through a series of drills testing strength, speed, jumping ability and agility based on tests done at the annual National Football League Combine. There is no admission charge to attend the event.

“We believe this will be the finest group of athletes we have had here,” Jones says. “One college coach told me that 105 players who are going to be here are on his school’s list of possible prospects.”

The players come in all sizes and shapes ranging from 5-7, 142-pound wide receiver Roderick McDonald of Daleville High to 6-9, 365 Timothy Jackson of Dadeville High.

May 17, 2001

Golfers Struggle At NCAA Regional First Round

Coach Mike Griffin.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- After a disappointing opening round at the NCAA East Regional Golf Tournament, the Tigers need to make a move in Friday’s second round

.Auburn shot a six-over-par 291 on Thursday at the Horseshoe Golf Club’s Green Course. The Tigers are 16th place in a 27-team field and are six spots from moving up to the cutoff for qualifying for the nationals.

“We really did not play like we wanted to today,” Coach Mike Griffin said. “We had some tough breaks out there on the course. We just need to put this first round behind us and focus on the second round and come out and play solidly.”

Auburn, which is ranked 18th nationally, is 17 shots off the pace set by surprising East Tennessee State, the 15th-ranked team in country. ETSU shot a 14-under-par 274 on Thursday to lead Florida by two shots and number one Georgia is in third place at 278.

North Carolina State (281), Virginia Tech (282), Charleston Southern (283), Duke (284), Clemson (285), Georgia Tech (285) and Ole Miss (285) currently round out the top 10 teams and that is the number that will advance to the nationals following the third round on Saturday.

Camilo Villegas of Florida had the best round of the first day at eight-under-par 64. Jonathan Dismuke, Kevin Haefner and Jay Mundy lead Auburn in a tie for 55th place at 73. Will Swift and Lee Williams each shot 75 for Auburn.

May 17, 2001

About Our Web Site

War Eagle

AUBURN, Ala. -- For those just finding our new Inside the Auburn Tigers web site, this is the first in a series of articles on how to use the larger variety of options available on the message boards than were used on the old AuburnRivals.com site.

The first thing to do is select the “login” link at the top of the page and follow the prompts for New Users to pick your forum name and enter your email address. You will receive an email with your password and other information on it for further reference. If you forget that password, just go to the ”login” link again and click on the forgot password link and a new password will be emailed to you.

There are four options for viewing messages. Each forum will allow a maximum of 200 threads before that topic drops off the message board.

*Option One (Sort by topics)--This will likely be the most popular choice. At the top of the forum (message board) you chose to visit, click on the sort by options link and it will automatically set up the page for you.

Most posters will probably prefer to also expand the threads, which can be done by clicking on the link for that option.

Once you have done that, the posts are listed with the most recently posted thread at the top with responses posted directly underneath that thread. After you have read a particular post, it changes colors so you won’t have to remember which posts you have read and which you haven’t checked out yet as you navigate around the board and web site.

*Option Two (Discussion Topic)--At the top of the forum, just click on the link for this mode and you will be viewing posts with the topics listed in alphabetical order with characters like ? and numerals listed first followed by posts that begin with the letters A through Z.

*Option Three (Author)–If you are looking for a thread you started or a particular board member started, you can choose the author option just as you did the topics and and discussion topics. The posts are listed in alphabetical order, again starting with characters and numbers followed by letters A through Z.

*Option Four (Last Time Updated)--This option lists the most recently updated threads at the top of the board with the time of the latest post listed on the right. For example, a thread started at 8 a.m. and responded to at 11 p.m. would be on the board above a thread started at 7 p.m. and last responded to at 10 p.m.

To move quickly from a forum to the front page where articles are posted as news stories and features, you can click on the AUTigers.com logo at the top of the page or the link for the front page on the top left side of the page.

May 17, 2001

Auburn To Add New Sports Team

David Housel

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn is planning to take an extra step forward in its quest to avoid potential Title IX gender equity problems by adding another varsity intercollegiate sport for women students.

The new sport will be equestrian with an athletic department proposal getting a thumbs up from the university’s board of trustees athletic committee on Wednesday. Auburn will move its current club level program, which is sponsored by the School of Agriculture, to an NCAA program for the 2002-2003 academic year.

It will be the first new sport for Auburn since adding women’s fast pitch softball for the 1996-97 academic year.

Athletic Director David Housel has worked out an agreement with officials in the School of Agriculture to co-sponsor the team, which is projected to cost $300,000 a year to compete in NCAA competition. The athletic department will fund approximately half of the cost and the School of Veterinary Medicine has agreed to provide care for the horses, which are owned by the competitors. Dean Luther Waters Jr. said the program will be a major plus to School of Agriculture and that his school has donors who are enthusiastic about supporting the program.

There are expected to be approximately 35 to 40 members of the team, which will be run as a non-scholarship program.

Barbara Camp, who is the senior administrator for women’s sports at AU, praised board members for having the foresight to avoid a potential gender equity problem down the road and doing it without cutting back on established men’s programs, which she called an unfortunate and unintended effect of the federal guidelines.

Housel said there is a good possibility the SEC will sponsor a championship in the sport in the near future. It is traditionally one of the more popular sports in summer Olympic competition.

The University of South Carolina already has a team in place. Kentucky, Georgia and Mississippi State are also likely to enter teams in conference competition.

William Walker, who is the university’s interim president, said, “I think this is an exciting opportunity.”

May 18, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 18, 2001

Golfers Make Move At NCAA Regional

Kevin Haefner

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Despite moving up three spots on day two at the NCAA East Regional Men’s Golf Tournament, the Auburn Tigers are going to have to go lower in the final round to qualify for the nationals.

Auburn moved up three spots to 13th on day two at the Horseshoe Golf Club Green Course on Friday, but the Tigers are still 11 shots out of 10th place, the cutoff to qualify for the NCAA Championship.

Georgia Southern is in 10th place for the final qualifying spot at 10-under par 570. Auburn must also pass Charleston Southern at 572 (-4) and Ole Miss at 576 (even par) to get into the Top 10.

Freshman Lee Williams shot a second round four-under-par 68 to pace the Tigers, who finished at one-under-par 287. He is at one-under-par 143, which ties him for 42nd place individually.

“We played a good round today,” Auburn head coach Mike Griffin said. “We still have some strokes to make up to get into the NCAA Championship. I am very proud of Lee Williams, he really set the pace for us today and I look for him to do it tomorrow.”

Junior Kevin Haefner shot a two-over-par 73 and is tied for 61st at 143 while freshman Jonathan Dismuke and senior Will Swift are tied for 66th at 147. Dismuke has had rounds of 73 and 74 and Swift has rounds of 75 and 72. Sophomore Jay Mundy is tied for 127th after at 13-over-par 157.

Fifteenth-ranked East Tennessee State shot a 10-under today and is at 24-under for the tournament, three shots better than #12th-ranked North Carolina State. Fifth-ranked Florida is third at 560 and is followed by second-ranked Georgia Tech (564), 21st-ranked Virginia Tech (564), top-ranked Georgia (567), UAB (567), 22nd-ranked Duke (568), third-ranked Clemson (569) and Georgia Southern (570).

Florida’s Camilo Villegas is the individual leader at 10-under par.

The Tigers will also have to watch four teams right on their heels. Rhode Island and Virginia Commonwealth are just three shots behind Auburn while Penn State and Seton Hall are five behind the Tigers.

May 20, 2001

The Waiting Game For AU Baseball

Scott Schade

AUBURN, Ala. -- Monday at 2 p.m. Central time, college baseball teams and fans alike from across the country will be tuned in to ESPN to see if and where they will be sent for the sub-regional round of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

For the Auburn Tigers that means the drama will finally be over. After sweating the process since being eliminated from the SEC Tournament on Thursday, they will finally hear whether or not their accomplishments this season were good enough.

With six teams appearing to be locks for bids from the conference, the Tigers and the Florida Gators (34-25) will likely be the two teams up for the final spot out of the conference. It is considered very unlikely that eight teams will be selected from one conference as the NCAA Baseball Tournament Selection Committee continues to try to spread the tournament to the rest of the country and out of the dominant Southern regions of the country. That means the Tigers have to hope the way they proved themselves against the top teams will be good enough.

Finishing with a 35-19 record overall and 15-17 in games against SEC competition, it would appear that the Tigers face an uphill battle to receive a spot in the field. But closer inspection of the schedule shows that this team has played as tough a schedule or even tougher than any team in the country. With 25 games against teams that are virtual locks to make the NCAA field (doesn’t include games against Florida), Auburn hasn’t ducked anybody this season and now it’s time to find out if that is enough for them to overcome a less than overwhelming record.

In those 25 games against top competition this season, Auburn posted a 9-16 record with six of those wins coming over teams ranked in the Top 10 nationally. Included in that is an 0-9 start in conference play at the hands of Mississippi State, Georgia and Ole Miss, two of which came on the road.

Following their woeful start, Auburn reeled off 19 wins in its last 28 games to finish the season. For the year Auburn lost 19 games with four coming to Georgia, three each to South Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, two to Florida and one loss each to Georgia Tech, South Alabama, LSU and Vanderbilt. All but Vanderbilt were ranked in the Top 25 sometime during the 2001 season.

Teams from the SEC that are locks for the field are the Mississippi State Bulldogs (36-22), who will receive the one automatic bid for the conference by virtue of their 4-1 victory over LSU on Sunday in the championship game of the SEC Tournament. Georgia (41-18), LSU (40-19-1), Tennessee (41-17), South Carolina (44-16) and Ole Miss (37-21-1) are expected to receive at-large bids, leaving perhaps one more spot open for either Auburn or Florida. The fact that Florida won two of three games from Auburn at Plainsman Park in the next to last regular season weekend will not help AU’s cause.

Auburn has made the NCAA field seven of the past eight seasons. Last season, the Tigers did not advance out of the sub-regional in Atlanta. The Tigers, who went into the tournament at 40-18, lost twice to Stetson and had one victory over Georgia Southern as the two-seed behind Georgia Tech.

You can bet that televisions in Auburn and Gainesville, Fla., will be tuned into the proceedings intently as both the Tigers and Gators hope their seasons are extended for at least one more weekend this year.

May 20, 2001

Waiting Game For Baseball

Scott Schade

AUBURN, Ala. -- Monday at 2 p.m. Central time, college baseball teams and fans alike from across the country will be tuned in to ESPN to see if and where they will be sent for the sub-regional round of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

For the Auburn Tigers that means the drama will finally be over. After sweating the process since being eliminated from the SEC Tournament on Thursday, they will finally hear whether or not their accomplishments this season were good enough.

With six teams appearing to be locks for bids from the conference, the Tigers and the Florida Gators (34-25) will likely be the two teams up for the final spot out of the conference. It is considered very unlikely that eight teams will be selected from one conference as the NCAA Baseball Tournament Selection Committee continues to try to spread the tournament to the rest of the country and out of the dominant Southern regions of the country. That means the Tigers have to hope the way they proved themselves against the top teams will be good enough.

Finishing with a 35-19 record overall and 15-17 in games against SEC competition, it would appear that the Tigers face an uphill battle to receive a spot in the field. But closer inspection of the schedule shows that this team has played as tough a schedule or even tougher than any team in the country. With 25 games against teams that are virtual locks to make the NCAA field (doesn’t include games against Florida), Auburn hasn’t ducked anybody this season and now it’s time to find out if that is enough for them to overcome a less than overwhelming record.

In those 25 games against top competition this season, Auburn posted a 9-16 record with six of those wins coming over teams ranked in the Top 10 nationally. Included in that is an 0-9 start in conference play at the hands of Mississippi State, Georgia and Ole Miss, two of which came on the road.

Following their woeful start, Auburn reeled off 19 wins in its last 28 games to finish the season. For the year Auburn lost 19 games with four coming to Georgia, three each to South Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, two to Florida and one loss each to Georgia Tech, South Alabama, LSU and Vanderbilt. All but Vanderbilt were ranked in the Top 25 sometime during the 2001 season.

Teams from the SEC that are locks for the field are the Mississippi State Bulldogs (36-22), who will receive the one automatic bid for the conference by virtue of their 4-1 victory over LSU on Sunday in the championship game of the SEC Tournament. Georgia (41-18), LSU (40-19-1), Tennessee (41-17), South Carolina (44-16) and Ole Miss (37-21-1) are expected to receive at-large bids, leaving perhaps one more spot open for either Auburn or Florida. The fact that Florida won two of three games from Auburn at Plainsman Park in the next to last regular season weekend will not help AU’s cause.

Auburn has made the NCAA field seven of the past eight seasons. Last season, the Tigers did not advance out of the sub-regional in Atlanta. The Tigers, who went into the tournament at 40-18, lost twice to Stetson and had one victory over Georgia Southern as the two-seed behind Georgia Tech.

You can bet that televisions in Auburn and Gainesville, Fla., will be tuned into the proceedings intently as both the Tigers and Gators hope their seasons are extended for at least one more weekend this year.

Auburn Baseball 2001 Statistics

May 20, 2001

Waiting Game For Baseball Tigers

Scott Schade

AUBURN, Ala. -- Monday at 2 p.m. Central time, college baseball teams and fans alike from across the country will be tuned in to ESPN to see if and where they will be sent for the sub-regional round of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

For the Auburn Tigers that means the drama will finally be over. After sweating the process since being eliminated from the SEC Tournament on Thursday, they will finally hear whether or not their accomplishments this season were good enough.

With six teams appearing to be locks for bids from the conference, the Tigers and the Florida Gators (34-25) will likely be the two teams up for the final spot out of the conference. It is considered very unlikely that eight teams will be selected from one conference as the NCAA Baseball Tournament Selection Committee continues to try to spread the tournament to the rest of the country and out of the dominant Southern regions of the country. That means the Tigers have to hope the way they proved themselves against the top teams will be good enough.

Finishing with a 35-19 record overall and 15-17 in games against SEC competition, it would appear that the Tigers face an uphill battle to receive a spot in the field. But closer inspection of the schedule shows that this team has played as tough a schedule or even tougher than any team in the country. With 25 games against teams that are virtual locks to make the NCAA field (doesn’t include games against Florida), Auburn hasn’t ducked anybody this season and now it’s time to find out if that is enough for them to overcome a less than overwhelming record.

In those 25 games against top competition this season, Auburn posted a 9-16 record with six of those wins coming over teams ranked in the Top 10 nationally. Included in that is an 0-9 start in conference play at the hands of Mississippi State, Georgia and Ole Miss, two of which came on the road.

Following their woeful start, Auburn reeled off 19 wins in its last 28 games to finish the season. For the year Auburn lost 19 games with four coming to Georgia, three each to South Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, two to Florida and one loss each to Georgia Tech, South Alabama, LSU and Vanderbilt. All but Vanderbilt were ranked in the Top 25 sometime during the 2001 season.

Teams from the SEC that are locks for the field are the Mississippi State Bulldogs (36-22), who will receive the one automatic bid for the conference by virtue of their 4-1 victory over LSU on Sunday in the championship game of the SEC Tournament. Georgia (41-18), LSU (40-19-1), Tennessee (41-17), South Carolina (44-16) and Ole Miss (37-21-1) are expected to receive at-large bids, leaving perhaps one more spot open for either Auburn or Florida. The fact that Florida won two of three games from Auburn at Plainsman Park in the next to last regular season weekend will not help AU’s cause.

Auburn has made the NCAA field seven of the past eight seasons. Last season, the Tigers did not advance out of the sub-regional in Atlanta. The Tigers, who went into the tournament at 40-18, lost twice to Stetson and had one victory over Georgia Southern as the two-seed behind Georgia Tech.

You can bet that televisions in Auburn and Gainesville, Fla., will be tuned into the proceedings intently as both the Tigers and Gators hope their seasons are extended for at least one more weekend this year.

Auburn Baseball 2001 Statistics

May 20, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 20, 2001

Tigers Fall Short In NCAA Regional

Kevin Haefner

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Despite having its best round of the tournament, Auburn couldn’t make up enough ground and failed to qualify for the 2001 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships on the final day of the 54-hole event.

The Tigers finished 13th at four-under-par 279 with rounds of 294, 287 and 279. The Tigers were four shots out of qualifying for a playoff with Ole Miss and Duke for the 10th and final spot. Duke lost the playoff and finished 11th, one spot ahead of Charleston Southern.

The 18th-ranked Tigers were nine-under-par on Saturday with freshman Lee Williams leading the way. He shot a 67 and finished at six-under-par 210. He nearly qualified for the nationals as an individual, but lost in a playoff with Brandt Snedeker of Vandy and Leif Olson of Duke when Holson made a 150-yard shot from the rough on the second playoff hole.

The Tigers entered the final round 11 shots away from making the cut for the championship and narrowed the deficit to four.

“We gave it a valiant effort,” Auburn coach Mike Griffin said. “I am extremely proud of these guys. They never got down and came back and played hard. We just came up four shots short. Lee played great today. That was a tough way to lose a playoff.”

Junior Kevin Haefner and senior Will Swift finished tied for 56th after they shot 73-73-70 (216) and 75-72-69 (216). Freshman Jonathan Dismuke sho six-over-par 73-74-75 (222) to finish tied for 77th while sophomore Jay Mundy tied for 115th at 14-over-par 73-84-73 (230).

The Top 10 teams advanced to the NCAA Championship. The tournament was won by 15th-ranked East Tennessee State, which shot 828 to defeat 12th-ranked North Carolina State by eight shots and fifth-ranked Florida (837) by nine.

May 20, 2001

Auburn To Add New Sports Team

David Housel

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn is planning to take an extra step forward in its quest to avoid potential Title IX gender equity problems by adding another varsity intercollegiate sport for women students.

The new sport will be equestrian with an athletic department proposal getting a thumbs up from the university’s board of trustees athletic committee on Wednesday. Auburn will move its current club level program, which is sponsored by the School of Agriculture, to an NCAA program for the 2002-2003 academic year.

It will be the first new sport for Auburn since adding women’s fast pitch softball for the 1996-97 academic year.

Athletic Director David Housel has worked out an agreement with officials in the School of Agriculture to co-sponsor the team, which is projected to cost $300,000 a year to compete in NCAA competition. The athletic department will fund approximately half of the cost and the School of Veterinary Medicine has agreed to provide care for the horses, which are owned by the competitors. Dean Luther Waters Jr. said the program will be a major plus to School of Agriculture and that his school has donors who are enthusiastic about supporting the program.

There are expected to be approximately 35 to 40 members of the team, which will be run as a non-scholarship program.

Barbara Camp, who is the senior administrator for women’s sports at AU, praised board members for having the foresight to avoid a potential gender equity problem down the road and doing it without cutting back on established men’s programs, which she called an unfortunate and unintended effect of the federal guidelines.

Housel said there is a good possibility the SEC will sponsor a championship in the sport in the near future. It is traditionally one of the more popular sports in summer Olympic competition.

The University of South Carolina already has a team in place. Kentucky, Georgia and Mississippi State are also likely to enter teams in conference competition.

William Walker, who is the university’s interim president, said, “I think this is an exciting opportunity.”

May 21, 2001

Tigers Make NCAA Tourney

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn will open play on Thursday in Tallahassee, Fla., vs. the Jacksonville University Dolphins.

AU was selected for the 64-team NCAA Baseball Tournament field as a two-seed thanks to a strong schedule, a high RPI rating and a strong second half of the regular season.

The Tigers, 35-19, had a nervous weekend awaiting word on their fate after struggling in the SEC Tournament with losses on Wednesday and Thursday.

Auburn is the No. 2 seed in the four-team sub-regional at Florida State (43-17). The host Seminoles are the number one seed. Auburn will play No. 3 seed Jacksonville, Fla., University (38-23) in the opening round at 2 p.m. CDT Friday and Bethune-Cookman (26-32), another Florida school, is the fourth seed and will open vs. FSU in the double-elimination event that evening. The tournament will run through Sunday. Tickets are available by calling toll free at 1-888-FSU-NOLE or online NCAA Tickets.

Tournament passes are $40 for reserved seats and $25 for general admission seats and are good for every game of the tournament. Single game reserved seats are $9 with general admission tickets $7 for adults and $5 for students and children. The stadium will be cleared at the end of each game and Friday and Saturday. All-day passes for Sunday's championship are $14 for reserved seats, $10 for general admission and $7 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased at www.seminoles.com.

Auburn has now made the NCAA field eight of the last nine years. Last season, the Tigers did not advance out of the sub-regional in Atlanta. The Tigers, who went into the tournament at 40-18 last year, lost twice to Stetson and had one victory over Georgia Southern as the two-seed behind Georgia Tech.

Auburn posted a 15-15 record in SEC play this year after starting the conference season at 0-9. The Tigers then lost back-to-back games in the SEC Tournament, falling to top seed Georgia before losing to South Carolina in an elimination game. Despite the record not being as good as many teams, the Tigers have played one of the nation’s toughest schedules and were ranked 10th nationally in the RPI index last week.

Auburn posted six victories this season over Top 10 teams. The winners of the 16 four-team regionals advance to eight super-regionals that will be played June 1-3. Those are a best two-out-of-three format with the eight survivors advancing to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., June 8-16.

NCAA Bracket

The SEC sent a tournament record eight teams into the tournament. SEC teams that made the field include SEC Cournament champion Mississippi State (36-22), which received the one automatic bid for the league by virtue of a 4-1 victory over LSU on Sunday in the championship game. The Bulldogs are the No. 1 seed at Ohio State.

LSU (40-19-1) is the No. 1 seed at home with Virginia Commonwealth No. 2. The Bayou Bengals are the defending national champion, but lost two out of three to Auburn to close the regular season.

South Carolina (44-16) is the No. 2 seed at home with Central Florida the one seed in Columbia, S.C.

Ole Miss (37-21-1) , the biggest surprise in the SEC this year, is the No. 2 seed behind host Tulane.

Georgia (41-18) is the No. 1 seed at home with Georgia Tech No. 2. Another in-state team, Georgia Southern, is the four seed in that sub-regional.

Tennessee (41-17) is the two seed on its home field with Wake Forest of the ACC the to seed.

Despite speculation that Auburn and Florida (34-25) might be left out, the Gators also made the field as a two seed at Miami, where the host Hurricanes are No. 1.

NCAA Tournament Facts And Figures

May 21, 2001

NCAA Venue A Familiar Stop For Baseball Tigers

Coach Steve Renfroe

AUBURN, Ala. -- Smiling faces were everywhere Monday afternoon inside the meeting rooms of Plainsman Park when the Auburn Tigers found out what they had waited all weekend to know.

Although there had been some serious doubt earlier in the day, when the word arrived that the Tigers were headed back to Tallahassee for the NCAA Baseball Tournament the anxious wait was over and it was time to begin getting ready for the Jacksonville University, the number three seed in the four-team regional.

The Tigers, who are the number two seed, will play the Dolphins at 2 p.m. CDT on Friday at Dick Howser Stadium and the top-seed and host FSU Seminoles face fourth-seed Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m. CDT that evening.

For first-year head coach Steve Renfroe getting into a sub-region and earning a number two seed are special after what this team has gone through this season. “I think that tells you what this team has done,” he said.

“Y’all who have followed us, you know what they have been through,” the coach added. “They’ve battled. They lost an All-American the first half and they lost one the second half and yet here they are with that kind of power rating and a two seed. I think that probably speaks louder than anything that happened in Birmingham or anybody’s thoughts there. I think it blows that away. For the nation to recognize it as a two seed, that pretty much answers all the questions.”

One question the Auburn baseball team and fans will not have is what to expect in Tallahassee. This will be Auburn’s sixth trip to the Florida State campus for NCAA baseball tournament competition since AU made its first trip there in 1976. It is the fourth visit in the last five years to Dick Howser Stadium for the Tigers. For this senior class, this will be the third time it has made the trek down I-10 and that should come in handy as the seniors help the younger players understand what to expect when they take the field for the first game on Friday.

“I think the guys that have been there will be able to tell the kids about it,” Renfroe said. “It’s kind of like Baton Rouge and Miami--they haven’t lost there many times in history. We know that going in, but that’s why we play. We were told the same things going to Baton Rouge. I’m glad. The two places I wanted to go were Tallahassee and Clemson because they are close, we’re familiar with the teams and I think that helps. Even though they are great teams, I think the unknown sometimes is probably more detrimental than playing someone closer that’s just as good or better.”

While Auburn’s RPI ranking (No. 10 nationally) easily had the Tigers in position to make the field, it still wasn’t certain until the announcement was made nearly halfway through an NCAA selection show on ESPN. The waiting game had the Tigers on pins and needles and Renfroe said he’s just hoping for a time when he doesn’t have to wait as long to hear Auburn’s name called.

“I’m waiting one year for when we’re the first one,” he said. “I don’t think that’s happened. I remember one year, we were sitting in there with a heck of a club going ‘wow.’ It was down to four teams or six teams...We were down to six and we were like, ‘Where are we?’.You like it (to be called early), but we’ll take it.”

Considering that AU opened league play at 0-9 and was at the bottom of the SEC standings, you can bet everybody associated with the Auburn baseball program is happy to have the opportunity to travel to Tallahassee, even though it is traditionally a tough place for visitors to win. After all, there are worse places to be the first weekend of the NCAA Baseball Championships. You could be at home.

Auburn starts the festivities by playing the 38-23 Jacksonville Dolphins. Host Florida State (43-17) plays Bethune-Cookman (26-33) in the nightcap. On Saturday the first loser’s bracket game is scheduled for 10 a.m. CDT and will be followed by the winner’s bracket game at 2 p.m. The final elimination game will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday the championship game will begin at noon Central and if a second game is needed, it will follow 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Tickets for the Regional can be ordered by calling 1-888-FSU-NOLE.

Online Tickets

May 21, 2001

Will The Third Time Be A Charm?

Mailon Kent

AUBURN, Ala. -- Contrary to the opinions of some around the country, including a few officials in the SEC offices in Birmingham, the Auburn Tigers received an invitation to participate in the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

Auburn gets started in Tallahassee, Fla., when the Tigers take on the Jacksonville University Dolphins at 2 p.m CDT in the first of two games on Friday.

While some, including SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, said that the Southeastern Conference would only get six teams into the 64-team field and maybe get a seventh if the league was fortunate, the NCAA Selection Committee differed from those opinions. The group broke tradition and new ground at the same time when it put eight SEC teams into the field with none lower than a number two seed in their region. This marks the first time in the tournament’s history that a conference has had eight teams selected for the field.

“I’m very excited and kind of shocked right now,” said senior center fielder Mailon Kent. “I wasn’t sure coming into the meeting whether we were going to make it or not. I read the Birmingham News article (Monday) morning (which contained an article with quotes from Kramer on why Auburn shouldn’t make the field) and I was kind of optimistic until I read that. At least it turned out to be OK for us.”

OK indeed. The Tigers get to make their fourth trip to Tallahassee in five seasons when they head to Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State University. For seniors like Kent, this will be his third NCAA Tournament trip to the FSU campus at a site that features one of the rowdiest crowds in the country, led by a section of fans collectively known as “The Animals.”

Finishing eighth in the toughest league in America had to count for something and Kent says he believes that is what earned his Tigers a spot in the field this year with so many teams across the country vying for just a few spots after the automatic bids were handed out. “Obviously, we were kind of nervous when we lost our first two games,” Kent says of his team’s poor showing in Birmingham last week at the SEC Tournament.

“This conference is a great conference,” Kent adds. “I think it’s the best in the nation. We got the respect we deserved today by all eight teams making it. I think the SEC will do well in the tournament and I hope we’re able to come out of Florida State. It’s a tough place to play. This will be my third time to go down there. We can’t overlook Jacksonville right now. I don’t know anything about them right now, but I’m sure they’ve got a good team.”

For another senior, who had an up and down season just like his team, the wait was worth it when he saw his team in the bracket with Jacksonville. “I thought we had played well enough to get in one, but you never know,” first baseman Todd Faulkner says. “It’s definitely a comforting feeling when they announced us on TV…I’m just happy to be in the tournament. Every team down there is well deserving to be in the tournament and it’s going to be tough. I just look forward to playing again.”

After all this team went through this season, it’s no wonder they were all smiles as they headed out to practice on Monday. With most of the troubles of the season now firmly behind them and a fresh start awaiting on Friday, they can just relax and play ball again without worrying whether or not they will be in this tournament or that tournament. It has all been decided and this team deserves all the credit.

“You can’t do anything about the stuff that has gone by,” Faulkner says about the close losses and the nine-game losing streak early in the year when he was trying to recover from a preseason wrist injury. “I’m sure every team could have done that. We were just hoping people would see that we were deserving to get in a regional, which we were. I’m just excited to be playing still...We feel good. It’s definitely a clean slate and we’ve come through a lot this year. We’ll start on Friday again. It’s a brand new season.”

With most of the formalities out of the way, it’s time to get back to business. For Auburn that means getting ready to play at a place where many ghosts still haunt them. The latest happened just two years ago when a strange bounce and an unlikely hero led Florida State past the Tigers 6-3 to earn a trip to the College World Series, Auburn’s second straight NCAA Tournament series defeat at the hands of the Seminoles. This year’s senior class has one more chance to advance to the College World Series via Tallahassee, something the Tigers did in 1997 led by a dramatic home run by catcher David Ross. However, that was a year before this year’s seniors began playing for the Tigers.

“I haven’t won down there yet,” Kent says. “Maybe the third time is the charm.”

Auburn Player Statistics

Jacksonville University Baseball Stats

May 21, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 21, 2001

Combine Attracts College Hopefuls

Montavis Pitts

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A pair of defensive backs blew away the old speed record for the Capital City Combine.

Loachapoka High School’s Montavis Pitts was credited with the new record with an average time of 4.29 on the first of two 40-yard dash sprints on artificial turf. His average time on his second run was 4.33. Three stop-watches were used at the Capital City Combine to calculate the 40 times.

Pitts, who was measured at exactly six feet tall in Montgomery, weighed 179 pounds. He is also a basketball and track standout for the Loachapoka Indians.

As fast as Pitts is, he had some serious competition for the speediest rising senior at the combine. Kendrick Eaton of Wilcox Central High in Camden didn’t have the right kind of shoes for running on the artificial turf. Despite stumbling on his starts, he was clocked at 4.39, which was also under the mark of 4.41 set last year by tailback Keldrick Williams of Sidney Lanier in Montgomery. Williams signed scholarship papers with Tennessee where he will be a freshman this fall.

At this year’s Jackson Hospital Capital City Combine, 185 athletes from the state of Alabama were tested in a variety of areas. Their height, weight, body fat, chest size, thighs, calves, necks and biceps measurements were taken. They were tested in the broad jump, vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle run, 60-yard shuttle run, three-cone drills, bench press and triple jump in addition to the 40-yard dashes.

After completing the combine tests that are modeled after the ones used by the NFL to test athletic ability, the players did drills with skills specific to their positions. Pitts, Eaton and the other defensive backs were videotaped doing reaction skills that test their ability to backpedal and cut quickly. The quarterbacks were told to take their best shots to see how fast they can throw a football and their passes were clocked for speed while other drills enabled them to show their skills throwing a variety of routes.

Auburn assistant coach Phillip Lolley, who watched the sessions at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, said, “We are always looking for speed. That catches our attention. Of course, just because you are fast doesn’t mean you are going to be a good football player, but it is important for us to find athletes who can really run as well as do the other things that good football players do.”

Record-setter Pitts told Inside the Auburn Tigers that even though he gave a verbal commitment to Virginia Tech last week, he is keeping an open mind on recruiting and will be taking visits this fall. A standout in track for the Loachapoka Indians, Pitts is a player who definitely raised his stock this spring with an impressive performance at the state track meet followed with an impressive performance at the combine. With 8.8 percent body fat and a 37 1/2 chest with 22 1/2-inch thighs and a 14 1/2-inch calf, Pitts was a blur on the speed tests in Montgomery.

College coaches who attended the meet will be given reports with his and the other combine performers’ speed at 10, 20 and 40-yard intervals.

Like Pitts from Loachapoka, which is just west of Auburn, Eaton is from a very small town, too. Letters from colleges are already finding their way to tiny Catherine, Ala., where Eaton lives. He attends school in Camden.

With strong grades, the only negative on Eaton is his lack of size. He was measured at five feet, six inches tall and152 pounds with just six percent body fat with a 36-inch chest, 21 7/8-inch thighs and14 1/8 inch calves. If he has a growth spurt this summer or fall, he should become a hot prospect.

“I plan on going to the Auburn camp this summer,” said Eaton, who added that he was pleased with his 40-time. “I really wasn’t sure how fast I would run. I haven’t been timed in the 40 since I was in ninth grade. Anything 4.5 or better was going to make me happy.”

Not all of the prospects were on the field at Cramton Bowl this past weekend. Two nationally-recruited rising seniors were watching the action from the stands--6-6, 260-pound defensive end Kyle Tatum from Prattville High and 6-3, 184-pound wide receiver Benjamin Obomanu from Selma High.

Tatum said he was told only three players from a school could participate in the combine so he says he decided to let a trio of teammates get the exposure in front of dozens of college scouts, who already know who he is. Tatum mentioned four SEC schools as early favorites and said he has no particular order with Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee the colleges he is considering.

“Everybody has impressed me,” Tatum says. “It is going to be a tough decision next year.” The big defensive end and other rising seniors will sign scholarship papers in February of 2002.

Obomanu said he didn’t find out about the combine until it was too later to register, but he decided to drive to Montgomery to take in the action. With scholarship offers from as far away as Nebraska, plus invitations to camps at Auburn, Alabama, FSU and many others, the rising senior is well-known to college recruiters for his skills as a receiver, return man and defensive back. Not participating in the combine is not likely to dampen the enthusiasm for the Selma Saint, who is expected to graduate number one in his class next year.

Going into the combine, running back Jason Allen of Muscle Shoals was considered perhaps the top prospect in the state and nothing he did in Montgomery damaged that reputation. He ran a 4.45 at the Nike Camp earlier this spring in Atlanta. He did even better in Montgomery, clocking in at 4.43. He stands six feet, five/eights of an inch tall and weighs 192 pounds with just 5.6 percent body fat.

As Allen gracefully ran through a cone drill with apparent ease, a college scout from a below-SEC level profile college made a mark in his notebook on the Muscle Shoals High star. “We won’t be recruiting him,” the coach said with a smile. “That would be a waste of time.” Allen literally has offers from coast to coast after putting on an impressive show earlier this spring at the Nike Combine in Atlanta.

In addition to Lolley, who coaches defensive backs for Auburn, inside linebackers coach Joe Whitt was at Cramton Bowl to check out the talent along with his son, former AU player Joe Whitt, Jr.. Former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix was scouting for his new employer, Samford University. Matt Wannebo, who was an administrative assistant to former AU defensive coordinator Bill “Brother” Oliver, scouted the combine for Jacksonville State. He was joined by another former AU staff member, Pat McGee, who is recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks. Recent Murray State hire Brendt Bedsole, a graduate assistant for Tommy Tuberville at Auburn through spring training this year, was scouting for his new school where former AU assistant Joe Pannunzio is the head coach.

May 22, 2001

Will The Third Time Be A Charm?

Mailon Kent

AUBURN, Ala. -- Contrary to the opinions of some around the country, including a few officials in the SEC offices in Birmingham, the Auburn Tigers received an invitation to participate in the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

Auburn gets started in Tallahassee, Fla., when the Tigers take on the Jacksonville University Dolphins at 2 p.m CDT in the first of two games on Friday.

While some, including SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, said that the Southeastern Conference would only get six teams into the 64-team field and maybe get a seventh if the league was fortunate, the NCAA Selection Committee differed from those opinions. The group broke tradition and new ground at the same time when it put eight SEC teams into the field with none lower than a number two seed in their region. This marks the first time in the tournament’s history that a conference has had eight teams selected for the field.

“I’m very excited and kind of shocked right now,” said senior center fielder Mailon Kent. “I wasn’t sure coming into the meeting whether we were going to make it or not. I read the Birmingham News article (Monday) morning (which contained an article with quotes from Kramer on why Auburn shouldn’t make the field) and I was kind of optimistic until I read that. At least it turned out to be OK for us.”

OK indeed. The Tigers get to make their fourth trip to Tallahassee in five seasons when they head to Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State University. For seniors like Kent, this will be his third NCAA Tournament trip to the FSU campus at a site that features one of the rowdiest crowds in the country, led by a section of fans collectively known as “The Animals.”

Finishing eighth in the toughest league in America had to count for something and Kent says he believes that is what earned his Tigers a spot in the field this year with so many teams across the country vying for just a few spots after the automatic bids were handed out. “Obviously, we were kind of nervous when we lost our first two games,” Kent says of his team’s poor showing in Birmingham last week at the SEC Tournament.

“This conference is a great conference,” Kent adds. “I think it’s the best in the nation. We got the respect we deserved today by all eight teams making it. I think the SEC will do well in the tournament and I hope we’re able to come out of Florida State. It’s a tough place to play. This will be my third time to go down there. We can’t overlook Jacksonville right now. I don’t know anything about them right now, but I’m sure they’ve got a good team.”

For another senior, who had an up and down season just like his team, the wait was worth it when he saw his team in the bracket with Jacksonville. “I thought we had played well enough to get in one, but you never know,” first baseman Todd Faulkner says. “It’s definitely a comforting feeling when they announced us on TV…I’m just happy to be in the tournament. Every team down there is well deserving to be in the tournament and it’s going to be tough. I just look forward to playing again.”

After all this team went through this season, it’s no wonder they were all smiles as they headed out to practice on Monday. With most of the troubles of the season now firmly behind them and a fresh start awaiting on Friday, they can just relax and play ball again without worrying whether or not they will be in this tournament or that tournament. It has all been decided and this team deserves all the credit.

“You can’t do anything about the stuff that has gone by,” Faulkner says about the close losses and the nine-game losing streak early in the year when he was trying to recover from a preseason wrist injury. “I’m sure every team could have done that. We were just hoping people would see that we were deserving to get in a regional, which we were. I’m just excited to be playing still...We feel good. It’s definitely a clean slate and we’ve come through a lot this year. We’ll start on Friday again. It’s a brand new season.”

With most of the formalities out of the way, it’s time to get back to business. For Auburn that means getting ready to play at a place where many ghosts still haunt them. The latest happened just two years ago when a strange bounce and an unlikely hero led Florida State past the Tigers 6-3 to earn a trip to the College World Series, Auburn’s second straight NCAA Tournament series defeat at the hands of the Seminoles. This year’s senior class has one more chance to advance to the College World Series via Tallahassee, something the Tigers did in 1997 led by a dramatic home run by catcher David Ross. However, that was a year before this year’s seniors began playing for the Tigers.

“I haven’t won down there yet,” Kent says. “Maybe the third time is the charm.”

Auburn Player Statistics

Jacksonville University Baseball Stats

May 22, 2001

Will Third Time Be A Charm In Tallahassee

Mailon Kent

AUBURN, Ala. -- Contrary to the opinions of some around the country, including a few officials in the SEC offices in Birmingham, the Auburn Tigers received an invitation to participate in the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

Auburn gets started in Tallahassee, Fla., when the Tigers take on the Jacksonville University Dolphins at 2 p.m CDT in the first of two games on Friday.

While some, including SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, said that the Southeastern Conference would only get six teams into the 64-team field and maybe get a seventh if the league was fortunate, the NCAA Selection Committee differed from those opinions. The group broke tradition and new ground at the same time when it put eight SEC teams into the field with none lower than a number two seed in their region. This marks the first time in the tournament’s history that a conference has had eight teams selected for the field.

“I’m very excited and kind of shocked right now,” said senior center fielder Mailon Kent. “I wasn’t sure coming into the meeting whether we were going to make it or not. I read the Birmingham News article (Monday) morning (which contained an article with quotes from Kramer on why Auburn shouldn’t make the field) and I was kind of optimistic until I read that. At least it turned out to be OK for us.”

OK indeed. The Tigers get to make their fourth trip to Tallahassee in five seasons when they head to Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State University. For seniors like Kent, this will be his third NCAA Tournament trip to the FSU campus at a site that features one of the rowdiest crowds in the country, led by a section of fans collectively known as “The Animals.”

Finishing eighth in the toughest league in America had to count for something and Kent says he believes that is what earned his Tigers a spot in the field this year with so many teams across the country vying for just a few spots after the automatic bids were handed out. “Obviously, we were kind of nervous when we lost our first two games,” Kent says of his team’s poor showing in Birmingham last week at the SEC Tournament.

“This conference is a great conference,” Kent adds. “I think it’s the best in the nation. We got the respect we deserved today by all eight teams making it. I think the SEC will do well in the tournament and I hope we’re able to come out of Florida State. It’s a tough place to play. This will be my third time to go down there. We can’t overlook Jacksonville right now. I don’t know anything about them right now, but I’m sure they’ve got a good team.”

For another senior, who had an up and down season just like his team, the wait was worth it when he saw his team in the bracket with Jacksonville. “I thought we had played well enough to get in one, but you never know,” first baseman Todd Faulkner says. “It’s definitely a comforting feeling when they announced us on TV…I’m just happy to be in the tournament. Every team down there is well deserving to be in the tournament and it’s going to be tough. I just look forward to playing again.”

After all this team went through this season, it’s no wonder they were all smiles as they headed out to practice on Monday. With most of the troubles of the season now firmly behind them and a fresh start awaiting on Friday, they can just relax and play ball again without worrying whether or not they will be in this tournament or that tournament. It has all been decided and this team deserves all the credit.

“You can’t do anything about the stuff that has gone by,” Faulkner says about the close losses and the nine-game losing streak early in the year when he was trying to recover from a preseason wrist injury. “I’m sure every team could have done that. We were just hoping people would see that we were deserving to get in a regional, which we were. I’m just excited to be playing still...We feel good. It’s definitely a clean slate and we’ve come through a lot this year. We’ll start on Friday again. It’s a brand new season.”

With most of the formalities out of the way, it’s time to get back to business. For Auburn that means getting ready to play at a place where many ghosts still haunt them. The latest happened just two years ago when a strange bounce and an unlikely hero led Florida State past the Tigers 6-3 to earn a trip to the College World Series, Auburn’s second straight NCAA Tournament series defeat at the hands of the Seminoles. This year’s senior class has one more chance to advance to the College World Series via Tallahassee, something the Tigers did in 1997 led by a dramatic home run by catcher David Ross. However, that was a year before this year’s seniors began playing for the Tigers.

“I haven’t won down there yet,” Kent says. “Maybe the third time is the charm.”

Auburn Player Statistics

Jacksonville University Baseball Stats

May 22, 2001

Will Third Time Be A Charm In Tallahassee?

Mailon Kent

AUBURN, Ala. -- Contrary to the opinions of some around the country, including a few officials in the SEC offices in Birmingham, the Auburn Tigers received an invitation to participate in the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

Auburn gets started in Tallahassee, Fla., when the Tigers take on the Jacksonville University Dolphins at 2 p.m CDT in the first of two games on Friday.

While some, including SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, said that the Southeastern Conference would only get six teams into the 64-team field and maybe get a seventh if the league was fortunate, the NCAA Selection Committee differed from those opinions. The group broke tradition and new ground at the same time when it put eight SEC teams into the field with none lower than a number two seed in their region. This marks the first time in the tournament’s history that a conference has had eight teams selected for the field.

“I’m very excited and kind of shocked right now,” said senior center fielder Mailon Kent. “I wasn’t sure coming into the meeting whether we were going to make it or not. I read the Birmingham News article (Monday) morning (which contained an article with quotes from Kramer on why Auburn shouldn’t make the field) and I was kind of optimistic until I read that. At least it turned out to be OK for us.”

OK indeed. The Tigers get to make their fourth trip to Tallahassee in five seasons when they head to Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State University. For seniors like Kent, this will be his third NCAA Tournament trip to the FSU campus at a site that features one of the rowdiest crowds in the country, led by a section of fans collectively known as “The Animals.”

Finishing eighth in the toughest league in America had to count for something and Kent says he believes that is what earned his Tigers a spot in the field this year with so many teams across the country vying for just a few spots after the automatic bids were handed out. “Obviously, we were kind of nervous when we lost our first two games,” Kent says of his team’s poor showing in Birmingham last week at the SEC Tournament.

“This conference is a great conference,” Kent adds. “I think it’s the best in the nation. We got the respect we deserved today by all eight teams making it. I think the SEC will do well in the tournament and I hope we’re able to come out of Florida State. It’s a tough place to play. This will be my third time to go down there. We can’t overlook Jacksonville right now. I don’t know anything about them right now, but I’m sure they’ve got a good team.”

For another senior, who had an up and down season just like his team, the wait was worth it when he saw his team in the bracket with Jacksonville. “I thought we had played well enough to get in one, but you never know,” first baseman Todd Faulkner says. “It’s definitely a comforting feeling when they announced us on TV…I’m just happy to be in the tournament. Every team down there is well deserving to be in the tournament and it’s going to be tough. I just look forward to playing again.”

After all this team went through this season, it’s no wonder they were all smiles as they headed out to practice on Monday. With most of the troubles of the season now firmly behind them and a fresh start awaiting on Friday, they can just relax and play ball again without worrying whether or not they will be in this tournament or that tournament. It has all been decided and this team deserves all the credit.

“You can’t do anything about the stuff that has gone by,” Faulkner says about the close losses and the nine-game losing streak early in the year when he was trying to recover from a preseason wrist injury. “I’m sure every team could have done that. We were just hoping people would see that we were deserving to get in a regional, which we were. I’m just excited to be playing still...We feel good. It’s definitely a clean slate and we’ve come through a lot this year. We’ll start on Friday again. It’s a brand new season.”

With most of the formalities out of the way, it’s time to get back to business. For Auburn that means getting ready to play at a place where many ghosts still haunt them. The latest happened just two years ago when a strange bounce and an unlikely hero led Florida State past the Tigers 6-3 to earn a trip to the College World Series, Auburn’s second straight NCAA Tournament series defeat at the hands of the Seminoles. This year’s senior class has one more chance to advance to the College World Series via Tallahassee, something the Tigers did in 1997 led by a dramatic home run by catcher David Ross. However, that was a year before this year’s seniors began playing for the Tigers.

“I haven’t won down there yet,” Kent says. “Maybe the third time is the charm.”

Auburn Player Statistics

Jacksonville University Baseball Stats

May 22, 2001

Home Game for Levale

Levale Speigner

AUBURN, Ala. -- When the Auburn Tigers roll into Tallahassee, Fla., on Friday to begin play in the Florida State sub-regional of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament, there will likely be many friendly faces to greet them at the gate.

Several players should bring big contingents of fans to the game, but perhaps no Tiger will have the support that sophomore pitcher Levale Speigner will enjoy when he takes the mound against the Jacksonville University Dolphins that day.

Born and raised just 30 minutes from Florida State's campus in nearby Thomasville, Ga., Speigner is very familiar with what faces his team this weekend in Tallahassee. With a chance to pitch near the home folks, the Auburn ace is excited about the opportunity to show them what he can do.

"This about as close to home as I've gotten," Speigner says. "I'm sure I'll have a pretty good fan base down there. I hope I perform well in front of them."

Following his team's two-and-out performance in last week's SEC Tournament, Monday's announcement put Speigner and his teammates at ease, at least for a little while. With an improbable comeback from an 0-9 start in conference play to a 15-15 finish, Auburn now has yet another chance to rise from the ashes and pull off the unlikely this season. Playing Florida State on the Seminoles' home field is a big challenge, but Speigner says he's just happy to get another chance to play anywhere this year and he welcomes any opportunity that comes his way.

"It feels great," he adds. "Especially for me. When I threw last weekend in the SEC Tournament, I didn't throw very well. It's kind of just like last year when I came back and threw pretty good in the regional after I threw horribly in the conference championship. I feel like our whole team feels the same way because we didn't play up to our ability the whole weekend because we went two and out again. It's just something we can learn from and hope to fix in the regional."

Another player who should have a strong showing of supporters in Tallahassee is junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Making his home just a couple of hours up the road in Dothan, Ala., the probable high draft pick in this summer's Amateur Baseball Draft says he was nervous right up to the moment when he saw the Tigers got into the tournament. Now he gets a chance to finish the year on a strong note and lead his team to a place all college baseball players dream about finishing their seasons.

Gross says when he saw Auburn's name flash on the TV screen during the NCAA selection show he felt "just relief" at seeing the Tigers were in the tournament as a two seed. "We've got a chance still," the All-SEC left fielder says. "I've dreamed of going to Omaha since I've been here and we've still got that chance and I guess that was the first thing that went through my mind."

The Tigers' first opponent on the way to Omaha is the Jacksonville University Dolphins. Runners-up to Central Florida in both the regular season and tournament in the TAAC, they pose a challenge for the Auburn in the first game of the day on Friday at 2 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. Tallahassee time). With wins over the Golden Knights, Miami and South Florida with close losses to both Florida and Ohio State, Jacksonville is well tested and will be tough for the Tigers to beat.

"I don't have a clue," Gross says when asked what to expect from the Dolphins. "I haven't heard anything. I'm sure we'll start getting on the phone and getting some information about them. I'm sure they are a great team or they wouldn't be in the tournament. We're going to have to play good ball and hopefully we can come out with the W."

While the rest of the college baseball world doesn't expect Auburn to make it out of Tallahassee to the next round called the super-regionals, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this team could do the improbable. Auburn has done it before in this setting and Gross says the Tigers might as well be the team to do it again.

"Every time it seems like that's the way we go through," Gross notes. "But I didn't really care where they sent us. If Tallahassee is where they wanted us, then that's better than being in Dothan right now."

May 22, 2001

Noles' Home Just Fine for AU

Steve Renfroe makes a trip to the mound.

AUBURN, Ala. -- When the Auburn Tigers roll into Tallahassee, Fla., on Friday to begin play in the Florida State sub-regional of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament, there will likely be many friendly faces to greet them at the gate.

Several players should bring big contingents of fans to the game, but perhaps no Tiger will have the support that sophomore pitcher Levale Speigner will enjoy when he takes the mound against the Jacksonville University Dolphins that day.

Born and raised just 30 minutes from Florida State's campus in nearby Thomasville, Ga., Speigner is very familiar with what faces his team this weekend in Tallahassee. With a chance to pitch near the home folks, the Auburn ace is excited about the opportunity to show them what he can do.

"This about as close to home as I've gotten," Speigner says. "I'm sure I'll have a pretty good fan base down there. I hope I perform well in front of them."

Following his team's two-and-out performance in last week's SEC Tournament, Monday's announcement put Speigner and his teammates at ease, at least for a little while. With an improbable comeback from an 0-9 start in conference play to a 15-15 finish, Auburn now has yet another chance to rise from the ashes and pull off the unlikely this season. Playing Florida State on the Seminoles' home field is a big challenge, but Speigner says he's just happy to get another chance to play anywhere this year and he welcomes any opportunity that comes his way.

"It feels great," he adds. "Especially for me. When I threw last weekend in the SEC Tournament, I didn't throw very well. It's kind of just like last year when I came back and threw pretty good in the regional after I threw horribly in the conference championship. I feel like our whole team feels the same way because we didn't play up to our ability the whole weekend because we went two and out again. It's just something we can learn from and hope to fix in the regional."

Another player who should have a strong showing of supporters in Tallahassee is junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Making his home just a couple of hours up the road in Dothan, Ala., the probable high draft pick in this summer's Amateur Baseball Draft says he was nervous right up to the moment when he saw the Tigers got into the tournament. Now he gets a chance to finish the year on a strong note and lead his team to a place all college baseball players dream about finishing their seasons.

Gross says when he saw Auburn's name flash on the TV screen during the NCAA selection show he felt "just relief" at seeing the Tigers were in the tournament as a two seed. "We've got a chance still," the All-SEC left fielder says. "I've dreamed of going to Omaha since I've been here and we've still got that chance and I guess that was the first thing that went through my mind."

The Tigers' first opponent on the way to Omaha is the Jacksonville University Dolphins. Runners-up to Central Florida in both the regular season and tournament in the TAAC, they pose a challenge for the Auburn in the first game of the day on Friday at 2 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. Tallahassee time). With wins over the Golden Knights, Miami and South Florida with close losses to both Florida and Ohio State, Jacksonville is well tested and will be tough for the Tigers to beat.

"I don't have a clue," Gross says when asked what to expect from the Dolphins. "I haven't heard anything. I'm sure we'll start getting on the phone and getting some information about them. I'm sure they are a great team or they wouldn't be in the tournament. We're going to have to play good ball and hopefully we can come out with the W."

While the rest of the college baseball world doesn't expect Auburn to make it out of Tallahassee to the next round called the super-regionals, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this team could do the improbable. Auburn has done it before in this setting and Gross says the Tigers might as well be the team to do it again.

"Every time it seems like that's the way we go through," Gross notes. "But I didn't really care where they sent us. If Tallahassee is where they wanted us, then that's better than being in Dothan right now."

May 22, 2001

Tallahassee Just Fine for AU

Steve Renfroe makes a trip to the mound.

AUBURN, Ala. -- When the Auburn Tigers roll into Tallahassee, Fla., on Friday to begin play in the Florida State sub-regional of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament, there will likely be many friendly faces to greet them at the gate.

Several players should bring big contingents of fans to the game, but perhaps no Tiger will have the support that sophomore pitcher Levale Speigner will enjoy when he takes the mound against the Jacksonville University Dolphins that day.

Born and raised just 30 minutes from Florida State's campus in nearby Thomasville, Ga., Speigner is very familiar with what faces his team this weekend in Tallahassee. With a chance to pitch near the home folks, the Auburn ace is excited about the opportunity to show them what he can do.

"This about as close to home as I've gotten," Speigner says. "I'm sure I'll have a pretty good fan base down there. I hope I perform well in front of them."

Following his team's two-and-out performance in last week's SEC Tournament, Monday's announcement put Speigner and his teammates at ease, at least for a little while. With an improbable comeback from an 0-9 start in conference play to a 15-15 finish, Auburn now has yet another chance to rise from the ashes and pull off the unlikely this season. Playing Florida State on the Seminoles' home field is a big challenge, but Speigner says he's just happy to get another chance to play anywhere this year and he welcomes any opportunity that comes his way.

"It feels great," he adds. "Especially for me. When I threw last weekend in the SEC Tournament, I didn't throw very well. It's kind of just like last year when I came back and threw pretty good in the regional after I threw horribly in the conference championship. I feel like our whole team feels the same way because we didn't play up to our ability the whole weekend because we went two and out again. It's just something we can learn from and hope to fix in the regional."

Another player who should have a strong showing of supporters in Tallahassee is junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Making his home just a couple of hours up the road in Dothan, Ala., the probable high draft pick in this summer's Amateur Baseball Draft says he was nervous right up to the moment when he saw the Tigers got into the tournament. Now he gets a chance to finish the year on a strong note and lead his team to a place all college baseball players dream about finishing their seasons.

Gross says when he saw Auburn's name flash on the TV screen during the NCAA selection show he felt "just relief" at seeing the Tigers were in the tournament as a two seed. "We've got a chance still," the All-SEC left fielder says. "I've dreamed of going to Omaha since I've been here and we've still got that chance and I guess that was the first thing that went through my mind."

The Tigers' first opponent on the way to Omaha is the Jacksonville University Dolphins. Runners-up to Central Florida in both the regular season and tournament in the TAAC, they pose a challenge for the Auburn in the first game of the day on Friday at 2 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. Tallahassee time). With wins over the Golden Knights, Miami and South Florida with close losses to both Florida and Ohio State, Jacksonville is well tested and will be tough for the Tigers to beat.

"I don't have a clue," Gross says when asked what to expect from the Dolphins. "I haven't heard anything. I'm sure we'll start getting on the phone and getting some information about them. I'm sure they are a great team or they wouldn't be in the tournament. We're going to have to play good ball and hopefully we can come out with the W."

While the rest of the college baseball world doesn't expect Auburn to make it out of Tallahassee to the next round called the super-regionals, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this team could do the improbable. Auburn has done it before in this setting and Gross says the Tigers might as well be the team to do it again.

"Every time it seems like that's the way we go through," Gross notes. "But I didn't really care where they sent us. If Tallahassee is where they wanted us, then that's better than being in Dothan right now."

May 22, 2001

Tigers Familiar With FSU's Home

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- When the Auburn Tigers roll into Tallahassee, Fla., on Friday to begin play in the Florida State sub-regional of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament, there will likely be many friendly faces to greet them at the gate.

Several players should bring big contingents of fans to the game, but perhaps no Tiger will have the support that sophomore pitcher Levale Speigner will enjoy when he takes the mound against the Jacksonville University Dolphins that day.

Born and raised just 30 minutes from Florida State's campus in nearby Thomasville, Ga., Speigner is very familiar with what faces his team this weekend in Tallahassee. With a chance to pitch near the home folks, the Auburn ace is excited about the opportunity to show them what he can do.

"This about as close to home as I've gotten," Speigner says. "I'm sure I'll have a pretty good fan base down there. I hope I perform well in front of them."

Following his team's two-and-out performance in last week's SEC Tournament, Monday's announcement put Speigner and his teammates at ease, at least for a little while. With an improbable comeback from an 0-9 start in conference play to a 15-15 finish, Auburn now has yet another chance to rise from the ashes and pull off the unlikely this season. Playing Florida State on the Seminoles' home field is a big challenge, but Speigner says he's just happy to get another chance to play anywhere this year and he welcomes any opportunity that comes his way.

"It feels great," he adds. "Especially for me. When I threw last weekend in the SEC Tournament, I didn't throw very well. It's kind of just like last year when I came back and threw pretty good in the regional after I threw horribly in the conference championship. I feel like our whole team feels the same way because we didn't play up to our ability the whole weekend because we went two and out again. It's just something we can learn from and hope to fix in the regional."

Another player who should have a strong showing of supporters in Tallahassee is junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Making his home just a couple of hours up the road in Dothan, Ala., the probable high draft pick in this summer's Amateur Baseball Draft says he was nervous right up to the moment when he saw the Tigers got into the tournament. Now he gets a chance to finish the year on a strong note and lead his team to a place all college baseball players dream about finishing their seasons.

Gross says when he saw Auburn's name flash on the TV screen during the NCAA selection show he felt "just relief" at seeing the Tigers were in the tournament as a two seed. "We've got a chance still," the All-SEC left fielder says. "I've dreamed of going to Omaha since I've been here and we've still got that chance and I guess that was the first thing that went through my mind."

The Tigers' first opponent on the way to Omaha is the Jacksonville University Dolphins. Runners-up to Central Florida in both the regular season and tournament in the TAAC, they pose a challenge for the Auburn in the first game of the day on Friday at 2 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. Tallahassee time). With wins over the Golden Knights, Miami and South Florida with close losses to both Florida and Ohio State, Jacksonville is well tested and will be tough for the Tigers to beat.

"I don't have a clue," Gross says when asked what to expect from the Dolphins. "I haven't heard anything. I'm sure we'll start getting on the phone and getting some information about them. I'm sure they are a great team or they wouldn't be in the tournament. We're going to have to play good ball and hopefully we can come out with the W."

While the rest of the college baseball world doesn't expect Auburn to make it out of Tallahassee to the next round called the super-regionals, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this team could do the improbable. Auburn has done it before in this setting and Gross says the Tigers might as well be the team to do it again.

"Every time it seems like that's the way we go through," Gross notes. "But I didn't really care where they sent us. If Tallahassee is where they wanted us, then that's better than being in Dothan right now."

May 22, 2001

Tigers Familiar With FSU's Turf

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- When the Auburn Tigers roll into Tallahassee, Fla., on Friday to begin play in the Florida State sub-regional of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament, there will likely be many friendly faces to greet them at the gate.

Several players should bring big contingents of fans to the game, but perhaps no Tiger will have the support that sophomore pitcher Levale Speigner will enjoy when he takes the mound against the Jacksonville University Dolphins that day.

Born and raised just 30 minutes from Florida State's campus in nearby Thomasville, Ga., Speigner is very familiar with what faces his team this weekend in Tallahassee. With a chance to pitch near the home folks, the Auburn ace is excited about the opportunity to show them what he can do.

"This about as close to home as I've gotten," Speigner says. "I'm sure I'll have a pretty good fan base down there. I hope I perform well in front of them."

Following his team's two-and-out performance in last week's SEC Tournament, Monday's announcement put Speigner and his teammates at ease, at least for a little while. With an improbable comeback from an 0-9 start in conference play to a 15-15 finish, Auburn now has yet another chance to rise from the ashes and pull off the unlikely this season. Playing Florida State on the Seminoles' home field is a big challenge, but Speigner says he's just happy to get another chance to play anywhere this year and he welcomes any opportunity that comes his way.

"It feels great," he adds. "Especially for me. When I threw last weekend in the SEC Tournament, I didn't throw very well. It's kind of just like last year when I came back and threw pretty good in the regional after I threw horribly in the conference championship. I feel like our whole team feels the same way because we didn't play up to our ability the whole weekend because we went two and out again. It's just something we can learn from and hope to fix in the regional."

Another player who should have a strong showing of supporters in Tallahassee is junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Making his home just a couple of hours up the road in Dothan, Ala., the probable high draft pick in this summer's Amateur Baseball Draft says he was nervous right up to the moment when he saw the Tigers got into the tournament. Now he gets a chance to finish the year on a strong note and lead his team to a place all college baseball players dream about finishing their seasons.

Gross says when he saw Auburn's name flash on the TV screen during the NCAA selection show he felt "just relief" at seeing the Tigers were in the tournament as a two seed. "We've got a chance still," the All-SEC left fielder says. "I've dreamed of going to Omaha since I've been here and we've still got that chance and I guess that was the first thing that went through my mind."

The Tigers' first opponent on the way to Omaha is the Jacksonville University Dolphins. Runners-up to Central Florida in both the regular season and tournament in the TAAC, they pose a challenge for the Auburn in the first game of the day on Friday at 2 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. Tallahassee time). With wins over the Golden Knights, Miami and South Florida with close losses to both Florida and Ohio State, Jacksonville is well tested and will be tough for the Tigers to beat.

"I don't have a clue," Gross says when asked what to expect from the Dolphins. "I haven't heard anything. I'm sure we'll start getting on the phone and getting some information about them. I'm sure they are a great team or they wouldn't be in the tournament. We're going to have to play good ball and hopefully we can come out with the W."

While the rest of the college baseball world doesn't expect Auburn to make it out of Tallahassee to the next round called the super-regionals, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this team could do the improbable. Auburn has done it before in this setting and Gross says the Tigers might as well be the team to do it again.

"Every time it seems like that's the way we go through," Gross notes. "But I didn't really care where they sent us. If Tallahassee is where they wanted us, then that's better than being in Dothan right now."

May 22, 2001

Tigers Familiar With Seminole's Home Turf

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- When the Auburn Tigers roll into Tallahassee, Fla., on Friday to begin play in the Florida State sub-regional of the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament, there will likely be many friendly faces to greet them at the gate.

Several players should bring big contingents of fans to the game, but perhaps no Tiger will have the support that sophomore pitcher Levale Speigner will enjoy when he takes the mound against the Jacksonville University Dolphins that day.

Born and raised just 30 minutes from Florida State's campus in nearby Thomasville, Ga., Speigner is very familiar with what faces his team this weekend in Tallahassee. With a chance to pitch near the home folks, the Auburn ace is excited about the opportunity to show them what he can do.

"This about as close to home as I've gotten," Speigner says. "I'm sure I'll have a pretty good fan base down there. I hope I perform well in front of them."

Following his team's two-and-out performance in last week's SEC Tournament, Monday's announcement put Speigner and his teammates at ease, at least for a little while. With an improbable comeback from an 0-9 start in conference play to a 15-15 finish, Auburn now has yet another chance to rise from the ashes and pull off the unlikely this season. Playing Florida State on the Seminoles' home field is a big challenge, but Speigner says he's just happy to get another chance to play anywhere this year and he welcomes any opportunity that comes his way.

"It feels great," he adds. "Especially for me. When I threw last weekend in the SEC Tournament, I didn't throw very well. It's kind of just like last year when I came back and threw pretty good in the regional after I threw horribly in the conference championship. I feel like our whole team feels the same way because we didn't play up to our ability the whole weekend because we went two and out again. It's just something we can learn from and hope to fix in the regional."

Another player who should have a strong showing of supporters in Tallahassee is junior left fielder Gabe Gross. Making his home just a couple of hours up the road in Dothan, Ala., the probable high draft pick in this summer's Amateur Baseball Draft says he was nervous right up to the moment when he saw the Tigers got into the tournament. Now he gets a chance to finish the year on a strong note and lead his team to a place all college baseball players dream about finishing their seasons.

Gross says when he saw Auburn's name flash on the TV screen during the NCAA selection show he felt "just relief" at seeing the Tigers were in the tournament as a two seed. "We've got a chance still," the All-SEC left fielder says. "I've dreamed of going to Omaha since I've been here and we've still got that chance and I guess that was the first thing that went through my mind."

The Tigers' first opponent on the way to Omaha is the Jacksonville University Dolphins. Runners-up to Central Florida in both the regular season and tournament in the TAAC, they pose a challenge for the Auburn in the first game of the day on Friday at 2 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. Tallahassee time). With wins over the Golden Knights, Miami and South Florida with close losses to both Florida and Ohio State, Jacksonville is well tested and will be tough for the Tigers to beat.

"I don't have a clue," Gross says when asked what to expect from the Dolphins. "I haven't heard anything. I'm sure we'll start getting on the phone and getting some information about them. I'm sure they are a great team or they wouldn't be in the tournament. We're going to have to play good ball and hopefully we can come out with the W."

While the rest of the college baseball world doesn't expect Auburn to make it out of Tallahassee to the next round called the super-regionals, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this team could do the improbable. Auburn has done it before in this setting and Gross says the Tigers might as well be the team to do it again.

"Every time it seems like that's the way we go through," Gross notes. "But I didn't really care where they sent us. If Tallahassee is where they wanted us, then that's better than being in Dothan right now."

May 22, 2001

National Championship Dream The Theme

Diana Ramage

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Auburn will make a school record-setting sixth consecutive appearance at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships that begin Tuesday in a suburb of Orlando.

Coach Kim Evans’ Tigers look to be interested in much more than just showing up at their biggest tournament of the season. There is nothing Mickey Mouse about a youthful Auburn lineup that can go low from the one to five spots.

The 2000-2001 Tigers are the most talented women’s golf team that Auburn has fielded. The team is a close-knit group considered to have a legitimate shot at making history. No Auburn women’s team has ever won an NCAA Championship in any sport, but this year’s Tigers have the talent to make a run at the big prize.

The Tigers, who have won five tournaments this season, go into the four days of competition at the NCAA Championship ranked third in the country. Last year, Auburn finished sixth, which was the top performance ever for an AU women’s golf team at the national tournament.

“This is certainly the best team I have ever coached,” says Kim Evans, who was named SEC Coach of the Year earlier this spring. “We are very young, but we have a lot of experience in our lineup. I would say this is a very well-rounded golf team.”

Diana Ramage, who qualified to play in the U.S. Women’s Open last week, is Auburn’s hottest golfer this month and will play in the number one spot. For the season she has a 75.1 strokes per round average, but is playing significantly better than that right now. She was named SEC Freshman of the Year and is currently 29th nationally in the individual season-long collegiate rankings.

Despite being a freshman Ramage says she doesn’t expect to be nervous after learning a lesson earlier this season about keeping her cool. “It could happen, but I doubt it,” she says. “I let it happen one time this year and since then I have worked real hard not to put any pressure on.”

SEC Player of the Year, sophomore Celeste Troche, will play the two spot for Auburn. She currently has the best strokes per round average in school history at 72.41 and is ranked fourth nationally. Like Ramage, she also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at a tournament last week in Nashville, Tenn. She did it in more spectacular fashion with a fairway wood into the cup for an eagle to win a spot in the playoff.

Troche says the Tigers will try to follow the advice of their coach and concentrate on one shot at a time and worry about the big picture when the players are off the course and in the clubhouse. “We know that we can win it,” says Troche. “It is just a matter of us doing what we need to do.”

Courtney Swaim, who earned All-SEC honors this year, is playing the number three position for Auburn. The junior has an average of 75.03 and is ranked 39th nationally. She has played well throughout the spring with her best finish a third place at the LSU/Cleveland Invitational.

All-American sophomore Danielle Downey has bounced back from a wrist injury although it continues to limit her practice time. Downey will play the fourth spot. Her average is 74.96 shots per round and she is ranked 43rd nationally.

At the fifth and final position, junior Kim Strong will get the call after she played well at the NCAA East Regional in Chapel Hill, N.C., where Auburn qualified second behind top-ranked Duke to make the NCAA Championship field for the eighth time in school history. She tied for 15th individually at the NCAA East Regional.

The 24-team NCAA field will play at the par 72, 6,106-yard El Campeon Course at Mission Inn. Auburn has a 30-6-1 record this year in head to head competition vs. teams at this year’s nationals. Only three schools have qualified for more consecutive NCAA Tournaments than the Tigers--Arizona (15), Stanford (12) and Arizona State (10).

Evans says she is looking forward to the tournament. “I think we are ready to peak,” the Auburn coach says.

Freshman Ramage says she is also looking forward to competing on the El Campeon course, where she shot a pair of 74s in a preview event there in September to finish fourth individually. “I really like playing the golf course and feel comfortable on it,” she says.

Troche says the course is challenging and will provide a good test of golf. “It will bring out the good players,” she says. “There are a lot of trees.”

Evans says those trees are a major feature of the course, where AU had its worst finish of the season, a sixth in a 21-team field, despite leading late in the tournament. “There are a lot of trees that come into play,” the coach says. “On par fives there are trees stuck in places that are right in the way and sometimes force you to play up instead of going for the green in two, even from 150 yards. I think the course fits our style. At the NCAA Preview, we were actually tied for first with nine holes to go and these guys went out try to win every hole.

“That is when I knew we were on to something pretty good because they were trying to knock it down its throat. A course like that requires some discipline. You have to say, ‘Wait a minute.’ It requires a four-wood off this tee, then the center of the green, no matter what. We just kind of went for it and got slapped a little bit. That was a big turning point for us to realize if we had just gone out and stuck with our game plan we would have probably won. When we realized that we went forward.”

May 22, 2001

National Championship Dreams, Schemes

Diana Ramage

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. -- Auburn will make a school record-setting sixth consecutive appearance at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships that begin Tuesday in a suburb of Orlando.

Coach Kim Evans’ Tigers look to be interested in much more than just showing up at their biggest tournament of the season. There is nothing Mickey Mouse about a youthful Auburn lineup that can go low from the one to five spots.

The 2000-2001 Tigers are the most talented women’s golf team that Auburn has fielded. The team is a close-knit group considered to have a legitimate shot at making history. No Auburn women’s team has ever won an NCAA Championship in any sport, but this year’s Tigers have the talent to make a run at the big prize.

The Tigers, who have won five tournaments this season, go into the four days of competition at the NCAA Championship ranked third in the country. Last year, Auburn finished sixth, which was the top performance ever for an AU women’s golf team at the national tournament.

“This is certainly the best team I have ever coached,” says Kim Evans, who was named SEC Coach of the Year earlier this spring. “We are very young, but we have a lot of experience in our lineup. I would say this is a very well-rounded golf team.”

Diana Ramage, who qualified to play in the U.S. Women’s Open last week, is Auburn’s hottest golfer this month and will play in the number one spot. For the season she has a 75.1 strokes per round average, but is playing significantly better than that right now. She was named SEC Freshman of the Year and is currently 29th nationally in the individual season-long collegiate rankings.

Despite being a freshman Ramage says she doesn’t expect to be nervous after learning a lesson earlier this season about keeping her cool. “It could happen, but I doubt it,” she says. “I let it happen one time this year and since then I have worked real hard not to put any pressure on.”

SEC Player of the Year, sophomore Celeste Troche, will play the two spot for Auburn. She currently has the best strokes per round average in school history at 72.41 and is ranked fourth nationally. Like Ramage, she also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at a tournament last week in Nashville, Tenn. She did it in more spectacular fashion with a fairway wood into the cup for an eagle to win a spot in the playoff.

Troche says the Tigers will try to follow the advice of their coach and concentrate on one shot at a time and worry about the big picture when the players are off the course and in the clubhouse. “We know that we can win it,” says Troche. “It is just a matter of us doing what we need to do.”

Courtney Swaim, who earned All-SEC honors this year, is playing the number three position for Auburn. The junior has an average of 75.03 and is ranked 39th nationally. She has played well throughout the spring with her best finish a third place at the LSU/Cleveland Invitational.

All-American sophomore Danielle Downey has bounced back from a wrist injury although it continues to limit her practice time. Downey will play the fourth spot. Her average is 74.96 shots per round and she is ranked 43rd nationally.

At the fifth and final position, junior Kim Strong will get the call after she played well at the NCAA East Regional in Chapel Hill, N.C., where Auburn qualified second behind top-ranked Duke to make the NCAA Championship field for the eighth time in school history. She tied for 15th individually at the NCAA East Regional.

The 24-team NCAA field will play at the par 72, 6,106-yard El Campeon Course at Mission Inn. Auburn has a 30-6-1 record this year in head to head competition vs. teams at this year’s nationals. Only three schools have qualified for more consecutive NCAA Tournaments than the Tigers--Arizona (15), Stanford (12) and Arizona State (10).

Evans says she is looking forward to the tournament. “I think we are ready to peak,” the Auburn coach says.

Freshman Ramage says she is also looking forward to competing on the El Campeon course, where she shot a pair of 74s in a preview event there in September to finish fourth individually. “I really like playing the golf course and feel comfortable on it,” she says.

Troche says the course is challenging and will provide a good test of golf. “It will bring out the good players,” she says. “There are a lot of trees.”

Evans says those trees are a major feature of the course, where AU had its worst finish of the season, a sixth in a 21-team field, despite leading late in the tournament. “There are a lot of trees that come into play,” the coach says. “On par fives there are trees stuck in places that are right in the way and sometimes force you to play up instead of going for the green in two, even from 150 yards. I think the course fits our style. At the NCAA Preview, we were actually tied for first with nine holes to go and these guys went out try to win every hole.

“That is when I knew we were on to something pretty good because they were trying to knock it down its throat. A course like that requires some discipline. You have to say, ‘Wait a minute.’ It requires a four-wood off this tee, then the center of the green, no matter what. We just kind of went for it and got slapped a little bit. That was a big turning point for us to realize if we had just gone out and stuck with our game plan we would have probably won. When we realized that we went forward.”

May 22, 2001

National Title Dream The AU Theme

Diana Ramage

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Auburn will make a school record-setting sixth consecutive appearance at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships that begin Tuesday in a suburb of Orlando.

Coach Kim Evans’ Tigers look to be interested in much more than just showing up at their biggest tournament of the season. There is nothing Mickey Mouse about a youthful Auburn lineup that can go low from the one to five spots.

The 2000-2001 Tigers are the most talented women’s golf team that Auburn has fielded. The team is a close-knit group considered to have a legitimate shot at making history. No Auburn women’s team has ever won an NCAA Championship in any sport, but this year’s Tigers have the talent to make a run at the big prize.

The Tigers, who have won five tournaments this season, go into the four days of competition at the NCAA Championship ranked third in the country. Last year, Auburn finished sixth, which was the top performance ever for an AU women’s golf team at the national tournament.

“This is certainly the best team I have ever coached,” says Kim Evans, who was named SEC Coach of the Year earlier this spring. “We are very young, but we have a lot of experience in our lineup. I would say this is a very well-rounded golf team.”

Diana Ramage, who qualified to play in the U.S. Women’s Open last week, is Auburn’s hottest golfer this month and will play in the number one spot. For the season she has a 75.1 strokes per round average, but is playing significantly better than that right now. She was named SEC Freshman of the Year and is currently 29th nationally in the individual season-long collegiate rankings.

Despite being a freshman Ramage says she doesn’t expect to be nervous after learning a lesson earlier this season about keeping her cool. “It could happen, but I doubt it,” she says. “I let it happen one time this year and since then I have worked real hard not to put any pressure on.”

SEC Player of the Year, sophomore Celeste Troche, will play the two spot for Auburn. She currently has the best strokes per round average in school history at 72.41 and is ranked fourth nationally. Like Ramage, she also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at a tournament last week in Nashville, Tenn. She did it in more spectacular fashion with a fairway wood into the cup for an eagle to win a spot in the playoff.

Troche says the Tigers will try to follow the advice of their coach and concentrate on one shot at a time and worry about the big picture when the players are off the course and in the clubhouse. “We know that we can win it,” says Troche. “It is just a matter of us doing what we need to do.”

Courtney Swaim, who earned All-SEC honors this year, is playing the number three position for Auburn. The junior has an average of 75.03 and is ranked 39th nationally. She has played well throughout the spring with her best finish a third place at the LSU/Cleveland Invitational.

All-American sophomore Danielle Downey has bounced back from a wrist injury although it continues to limit her practice time. Downey will play the fourth spot. Her average is 74.96 shots per round and she is ranked 43rd nationally.

At the fifth and final position, junior Kim Strong will get the call after she played well at the NCAA East Regional in Chapel Hill, N.C., where Auburn qualified second behind top-ranked Duke to make the NCAA Championship field for the eighth time in school history. She tied for 15th individually at the NCAA East Regional.

The 24-team NCAA field will play at the par 72, 6,106-yard El Campeon Course at Mission Inn. Auburn has a 30-6-1 record this year in head to head competition vs. teams at this year’s nationals. Only three schools have qualified for more consecutive NCAA Tournaments than the Tigers--Arizona (15), Stanford (12) and Arizona State (10).

Evans says she is looking forward to the tournament. “I think we are ready to peak,” the Auburn coach says.

Freshman Ramage says she is also looking forward to competing on the El Campeon course, where she shot a pair of 74s in a preview event there in September to finish fourth individually. “I really like playing the golf course and feel comfortable on it,” she says.

Troche says the course is challenging and will provide a good test of golf. “It will bring out the good players,” she says. “There are a lot of trees.”

Evans says those trees are a major feature of the course, where AU had its worst finish of the season, a sixth in a 21-team field, despite leading late in the tournament. “There are a lot of trees that come into play,” the coach says. “On par fives there are trees stuck in places that are right in the way and sometimes force you to play up instead of going for the green in two, even from 150 yards. I think the course fits our style. At the NCAA Preview, we were actually tied for first with nine holes to go and these guys went out try to win every hole.

“That is when I knew we were on to something pretty good because they were trying to knock it down its throat. A course like that requires some discipline. You have to say, ‘Wait a minute.’ It requires a four-wood off this tee, then the center of the green, no matter what. We just kind of went for it and got slapped a little bit. That was a big turning point for us to realize if we had just gone out and stuck with our game plan we would have probably won. When we realized that we went forward.”

May 22, 2001

National Title Dream The Tigers' Theme

Diana Ramage

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Auburn will make a school record-setting sixth consecutive appearance at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships that begin Tuesday in a suburb of Orlando.

Coach Kim Evans’ Tigers look to be interested in much more than just showing up at their biggest tournament of the season. There is nothing Mickey Mouse about a youthful Auburn lineup that can go low from the one to five spots.

The 2000-2001 Tigers are the most talented women’s golf team that Auburn has fielded. The team is a close-knit group considered to have a legitimate shot at making history. No Auburn women’s team has ever won an NCAA Championship in any sport, but this year’s Tigers have the talent to make a run at the big prize.

The Tigers, who have won five tournaments this season, go into the four days of competition at the NCAA Championship ranked third in the country. Last year, Auburn finished sixth, which was the top performance ever for an AU women’s golf team at the national tournament.

“This is certainly the best team I have ever coached,” says Kim Evans, who was named SEC Coach of the Year earlier this spring. “We are very young, but we have a lot of experience in our lineup. I would say this is a very well-rounded golf team.”

Diana Ramage, who qualified to play in the U.S. Women’s Open last week, is Auburn’s hottest golfer this month and will play in the number one spot. For the season she has a 75.1 strokes per round average, but is playing significantly better than that right now. She was named SEC Freshman of the Year and is currently 29th nationally in the individual season-long collegiate rankings.

Despite being a freshman Ramage says she doesn’t expect to be nervous after learning a lesson earlier this season about keeping her cool. “It could happen, but I doubt it,” she says. “I let it happen one time this year and since then I have worked real hard not to put any pressure on.”

SEC Player of the Year, sophomore Celeste Troche, will play the two spot for Auburn. She currently has the best strokes per round average in school history at 72.41 and is ranked fourth nationally. Like Ramage, she also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at a tournament last week in Nashville, Tenn. She did it in more spectacular fashion with a fairway wood into the cup for an eagle to win a spot in the playoff.

Troche says the Tigers will try to follow the advice of their coach and concentrate on one shot at a time and worry about the big picture when the players are off the course and in the clubhouse. “We know that we can win it,” says Troche. “It is just a matter of us doing what we need to do.”

Courtney Swaim, who earned All-SEC honors this year, is playing the number three position for Auburn. The junior has an average of 75.03 and is ranked 39th nationally. She has played well throughout the spring with her best finish a third place at the LSU/Cleveland Invitational.

All-American sophomore Danielle Downey has bounced back from a wrist injury although it continues to limit her practice time. Downey will play the fourth spot. Her average is 74.96 shots per round and she is ranked 43rd nationally.

At the fifth and final position, junior Kim Strong will get the call after she played well at the NCAA East Regional in Chapel Hill, N.C., where Auburn qualified second behind top-ranked Duke to make the NCAA Championship field for the eighth time in school history. She tied for 15th individually at the NCAA East Regional.

The 24-team NCAA field will play at the par 72, 6,106-yard El Campeon Course at Mission Inn. Auburn has a 30-6-1 record this year in head to head competition vs. teams at this year’s nationals. Only three schools have qualified for more consecutive NCAA Tournaments than the Tigers--Arizona (15), Stanford (12) and Arizona State (10).

Evans says she is looking forward to the tournament. “I think we are ready to peak,” the Auburn coach says.

Freshman Ramage says she is also looking forward to competing on the El Campeon course, where she shot a pair of 74s in a preview event there in September to finish fourth individually. “I really like playing the golf course and feel comfortable on it,” she says.

Troche says the course is challenging and will provide a good test of golf. “It will bring out the good players,” she says. “There are a lot of trees.”

Evans says those trees are a major feature of the course, where AU had its worst finish of the season, a sixth in a 21-team field, despite leading late in the tournament. “There are a lot of trees that come into play,” the coach says. “On par fives there are trees stuck in places that are right in the way and sometimes force you to play up instead of going for the green in two, even from 150 yards. I think the course fits our style. At the NCAA Preview, we were actually tied for first with nine holes to go and these guys went out try to win every hole.

“That is when I knew we were on to something pretty good because they were trying to knock it down its throat. A course like that requires some discipline. You have to say, ‘Wait a minute.’ It requires a four-wood off this tee, then the center of the green, no matter what. We just kind of went for it and got slapped a little bit. That was a big turning point for us to realize if we had just gone out and stuck with our game plan we would have probably won. When we realized that we went forward.”

May 22, 2001

AU Golfers Have Lackluster Start in NCAA Play

Courtney Swaim

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Despite a strong opening day performance from Celeste Troche, Auburn is in ninth place after the first of four rounds at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

The Tigers, who are ranked third nationally, shot a disappointing 12-over-par opening round of 300. However, no team in the 24-school field put together low numbers and the Tigers are just seven shots off the pace set by 10th-ranked Oklahoma State. The first round leaders played in the morning before the weather got rough in the afternoon when Auburn played.

UCLA, which is ranked 25th, is in second place at 295 on the par 72 El Campeon course in suburban Orlando. Fourth-ranked Southern Cal is third with a 296, four strokes ahead of the Tigers. No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Georgia and No. 7 Texas are tied for fourth at 298. Number one ranked Duke and 12th-ranked Pepperdine are tied for seventh at 299.

Troche, the SEC Player of the Year, shot a 72 on Tuesday. The All-American was two-under-par going into the final four holes before having to wait for a rain delay. She then bogeyed twice to drop back to even par. “It was a tough day,” she said. “The greens were hard and had a lot of break. It was very hot and the conditions were tough. It was really tough to get re-focused after the rain delay. It was tiring, but we came out of it OK.” The hot and muggy conditions were made tougher by high winds and rain in the afternoon.

All-SEC junior Courtney Swaim is tied for 14th with a 73. All-SEC sophomore Danielle Downey finished with a pair of birdies to shoot 76, which was a big comeback after suffering five bogeys in the first seven holes.

Junior Kimberly Strong shot a 79 and is tied for 83rd to round out Auburn’s scoring. SEC Freshman of the Year Diana Ramage, who was playing the number one spot, shot an 82. However, Auburn did not have to count that total as only the four best rounds are figured into the team total.

“We definitely did not play our best today, but I am pleased with the way Danielle fought back,” coach Kim Evans said. “Celeste had a great round only to have a little trouble after the rain delay, and Kimberly’s round was not indicative of her score. She played a lot better than her 79, but just had a little tough luck.

“We are fortunate to be only seven shots out of the lead after having a lackluster round. I look for us to come out in the second round and put together some good scores.”

Eighth-ranked New Mexico State is in 10th place at 301 followed by No. 2 Arizona and California (302), San Jose State (303), No. 14 LSU (304), No. 23 Kent State (304), No. 21 Purdue (305), No. 20 Arizona State (305) No. 11 Tulsa (307), South Carolina (308), No. 16 Michigan State (310), No. 13 Ohio State (313), No. 24 South Florida (314), Washington (315) and New Mexico (318).

May 22, 2001

Bogey Man Bites Tigers

Courtney Swaim

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Despite a strong opening day performance from Celeste Troche, Auburn is in ninth place after the first of four rounds at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

The Tigers, who are ranked third nationally, shot a disappointing 12-over-par opening round of 300. However, no team in the 24-school field put together low numbers and the Tigers are just seven shots off the pace set by 10th-ranked Oklahoma State. The first round leaders played in the morning before the weather got rough in the afternoon when Auburn played.

UCLA, which is ranked 25th, is in second place at 295 on the par 72 El Campeon course in suburban Orlando. Fourth-ranked Southern Cal is third with a 296, four strokes ahead of the Tigers. No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Georgia and No. 7 Texas are tied for fourth at 298. Number one ranked Duke and 12th-ranked Pepperdine are tied for seventh at 299.

Troche, the SEC Player of the Year, shot a 72 on Tuesday. The All-American was two-under-par going into the final four holes before having to wait for a rain delay. She then bogeyed twice to drop back to even par. “It was a tough day,” she said. “The greens were hard and had a lot of break. It was very hot and the conditions were tough. It was really tough to get re-focused after the rain delay. It was tiring, but we came out of it OK.” The hot and muggy conditions were made tougher by high winds and rain in the afternoon.

All-SEC junior Courtney Swaim is tied for 14th with a 73. All-SEC sophomore Danielle Downey finished with a pair of birdies to shoot 76, which was a big comeback after suffering five bogeys in the first seven holes.

Junior Kimberly Strong shot a 79 and is tied for 83rd to round out Auburn’s scoring. SEC Freshman of the Year Diana Ramage, who was playing the number one spot, shot an 82. However, Auburn did not have to count that total as only the four best rounds are figured into the team total.

“We definitely did not play our best today, but I am pleased with the way Danielle fought back,” coach Kim Evans said. “Celeste had a great round only to have a little trouble after the rain delay, and Kimberly’s round was not indicative of her score. She played a lot better than her 79, but just had a little tough luck.

“We are fortunate to be only seven shots out of the lead after having a lackluster round. I look for us to come out in the second round and put together some good scores.”

Eighth-ranked New Mexico State is in 10th place at 301 followed by No. 2 Arizona and California (302), San Jose State (303), No. 14 LSU (304), No. 23 Kent State (304), No. 21 Purdue (305), No. 20 Arizona State (305) No. 11 Tulsa (307), South Carolina (308), No. 16 Michigan State (310), No. 13 Ohio State (313), No. 24 South Florida (314), Washington (315) and New Mexico (318).

May 22, 2001

Bogey Man Bites Tigers In NCAA Play

Courtney Swaim

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Despite a strong opening day performance from Celeste Troche, Auburn is in ninth place after the first of four rounds at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

The Tigers, who are ranked third nationally, shot a disappointing 12-over-par opening round of 300. However, no team in the 24-school field put together low numbers and the Tigers are just seven shots off the pace set by 10th-ranked Oklahoma State. The first round leaders played in the morning before the weather got rough in the afternoon when Auburn played.

UCLA, which is ranked 25th, is in second place at 295 on the par 72 El Campeon course in suburban Orlando. Fourth-ranked Southern Cal is third with a 296, four strokes ahead of the Tigers. No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Georgia and No. 7 Texas are tied for fourth at 298. Number one ranked Duke and 12th-ranked Pepperdine are tied for seventh at 299.

Troche, the SEC Player of the Year, shot a 72 on Tuesday. The All-American was two-under-par going into the final four holes before having to wait for a rain delay. She then bogeyed twice to drop back to even par. “It was a tough day,” she said. “The greens were hard and had a lot of break. It was very hot and the conditions were tough. It was really tough to get re-focused after the rain delay. It was tiring, but we came out of it OK.” The hot and muggy conditions were made tougher by high winds and rain in the afternoon.

All-SEC junior Courtney Swaim is tied for 14th with a 73. All-SEC sophomore Danielle Downey finished with a pair of birdies to shoot 76, which was a big comeback after suffering five bogeys in the first seven holes.

Junior Kimberly Strong shot a 79 and is tied for 83rd to round out Auburn’s scoring. SEC Freshman of the Year Diana Ramage, who was playing the number one spot, shot an 82. However, Auburn did not have to count that total as only the four best rounds are figured into the team total.

“We definitely did not play our best today, but I am pleased with the way Danielle fought back,” coach Kim Evans said. “Celeste had a great round only to have a little trouble after the rain delay, and Kimberly’s round was not indicative of her score. She played a lot better than her 79, but just had a little tough luck.

“We are fortunate to be only seven shots out of the lead after having a lackluster round. I look for us to come out in the second round and put together some good scores.”

Eighth-ranked New Mexico State is in 10th place at 301 followed by No. 2 Arizona and California (302), San Jose State (303), No. 14 LSU (304), No. 23 Kent State (304), No. 21 Purdue (305), No. 20 Arizona State (305) No. 11 Tulsa (307), South Carolina (308), No. 16 Michigan State (310), No. 13 Ohio State (313), No. 24 South Florida (314), Washington (315) and New Mexico (318).

May 23, 2001

In The Groove, Troche And Tigers Making A Move

Celeste Troche

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- SEC Player of the Year Celeste Troche fired a four-under par round of 68 to lead Auburn to a second round total of 294 (+6) as the Tigers moved to within two shots of the overall lead at the 2001 NCAA Women’s Golf Championships at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort near Orlando.

Following up a first day score of even par 72, the sophomore All-America candidate got on an early roll during Wednesday’s round and put herself, as well as her team, firmly in position to challenge for the title during the last two days of competition on Thursday and Friday.

Starting play on the back nine, Troche had birdies on holes 11, 13, 1, 2 and 5 to get to five-under par before a bogey on hole number 7 dropped her back to four-under. That is where she stands, in second place, just two shots behind the leader, Laura Moffat from UCLA.

"I am very happy for the team as we are only two shots off the lead," Troche said. "I had a lot of fun out their today. It was a good round. Like Coach (Evans) says, we need to just take it one shot at a time the rest of the way."

After struggling on day one with a score of 300 (+12), Auburn got back in the groove as a team on Wednesday with the third best team score of the day behind Tulsa (291) and Duke (293). In addition to Troche’s outstanding round, Courtney Swaim continued her solid play with a second-round score of 74 that leaves her two-day total at +3 (147).

Something that is encouraging for Auburn about where the team stands right now is the fact that no other Tiger golfers have really played well during the first two rounds. Danielle Downey fired a 78 on Wednesday to make her two-day total +10. SEC Freshman of the Year Diana Ramage did make a better showing on Wednesday with a 74, but she still remains way down the field at +12 after two days. Kimberly Strong, who played well in the regional qualifier, closes out the Auburn contingent with a two-day total of +13 following a 78 on Wednesday.

That the Tigers are still well within striking distance is a testament to the difficulty of the golf course the teams are playing this week. Only one hole on Wednesday played to an average of under par for the day and hole number 7, the one that Troche struggled with, played to nearly a full stroke over par average on Wednesday. The 421-yard par 4 is averaging +0.91 shots over par for the day. These numbers are equivalent to the USGA Championship averages that players see in tournaments such as the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championships and should make for an exciting finish for the final two rounds of play.

Duke and Oklahoma State are tied for the team lead after day two with a +16 total. Just one shot behind them are the Georgia Bulldogs at +17. Auburn is next with UCLA at +18 with Texas three strokes back at +21. Following their big move on day two, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane are in seventh place with a score of +22. New Mexico State (+23), Stanford (+25) and Southern Cal (+26) round out the Top 10.

"The second round was a little better than the first," Auburn coach Kim Evans said. "We played well the entire day but gave some back on our 16th hole of the day. I like our position going into the third round, but we still need to take it one shot at a time. It's a dogfight out there and we need to be up to the challenge. We need to stay in the present."

May 24, 2001

Tournament Time In Tallahassee

Mailon Kent

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It’s NCAA regional tournament time for 64 baseball teams across the country and that means the Auburn Tigers will be making their seemingly annual trip to Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of FSU to begin play in their quest to reach Omaha, Neb., and the College World Series.

The number two seed Tigers open play Friday at 2 p.m. CDT against the third-seeded Jacksonville University Dolphins in the opening game of the regional. At 6 p.m., top-seed Florida State plays Bethune-Cookman.

Auburn will be trying to bounce back from a disappointing outing at the SEC Tournament in Birmingham last week. Losing two straight games to Georgia and South Carolina before returning home to the Plains, the Tigers were seemingly on the bubble for an at-large bid into the tournament but that wasn’t the case on Monday as they received the call and started packing for the Sunshine State.

They enter the regional having won 19 of their last 28 games, including a stretch of 14 wins in 16 games during that time. Following an 0-9 conference start, the Tigers needed some clutch wins down the stretch to earn the trip to Birmingham. To get those wins Auburn had to travel to Baton Rouge to face the defending national champion LSU Tigers. After being blown out 20-5 in the first game things looked bleak, but this team did what it had done all year. It mustered something from deep within and won the Saturday and Sunday games with major comebacks to secure the spot in the SEC Tournament. Those wins likely wrapped up the NCAA bid as well.

Auburn Stats

Led by the play of senior center fielder Mailon Kent, Auburn is hoping to recapture some magic of old when the Tigers start play on Friday. The site of one of the more memorable baseball plays in Auburn history (David Ross’s three-run home run in the ninth to win a game in 1997), the Tigers know they have had some success in Tallahassee in the past.

Kent leads the Tigers in hitting with a .354 average and totaled 79 hits for the season, including 50 in league play, to become only the third Auburn player to accomplish that in a single season. After getting off to a slow start this year, Kent has been on fire of late. Hitting .574 (27-47) in his last four SEC series with three home runs, five doubles and 19 RBI, the Birmingham native looks to continue that streak into postseason play.

If the past is any indication, he should fare well this weekend in front of an expected overflow crowd in Tallahassee. The Auburn career leader in batting average for NCAA Regional games at .489, Kent has been at his best in pressure situations and that will probably need to continue if the Tigers hope to come away with the regional title on Sunday afternoon.

Friday the Tigers take on Jacksonville (38-23) and that is always considered an almost must-win situation. In such a short series with the possibility of playing as many as five games in three days if they lose the first one, teams need to avoid the loser’s bracket at all costs. Taking that into account, Auburn will send sophomore Levale Speigner to the mound in the hopes that he delivers like he did for much of the season. At 8-2 on the year with a 3.03 ERA, the pitcher from nearby Thomasville, Ga., looks to bounce back from a poor performance in the SEC Tournament last week that saw him give up nine hits and five runs in just three and one/third innings of work.

Opposing Speigner on the mound from Jacksonville will be Josh Daws. Sporting a 3-4 record with a 4.70 ERA, Daws has started 15 games this year and has thrown a team-high 90 innings, allowing 85 hits and 59 runs. Opponents are hitting just .249 against him and he has struck out 78 batters while walking just 35.

If Daws can give the Dolphins some quality innings and has a lead late in the game, you can bet that super reliever Casey Shumaker will get the call with the game on the line. At 7-5 on the year with a 1.86 ERA, Shumaker is considered one of the top pitching prospects in college baseball. With a strikeout to walk ratio of 113 to 36, Shumaker is allowing opponents to hit just .184 against him and he’s only allowed 46 hits in 72 and two/thirds innings pitched this year.

At the plate for the Dolphins, their attack is centered around Chad Oliva. Hitting .335 with 19 home runs and 65 runs driven in, Oliva is the leader of a lineup that has hit 72 home runs this season and has a team batting average of .301. Also a power guy for Jacksonville, Scott Biernacki s hitting .300 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI.

One of the guys that sets the table for Jacksonville is a name SEC football fans may be familiar with. Former Alabama football player Chris Reier is hitting .375 for the Dolphins this year and is fourth on the team in runs with 47 scored to go along with 11 steals in 15 attempts.

If the Tigers can survive Friday’s contest, it’s almost a sure thing that they will face the host Florida State Seminoles on Saturday. Led by the hitting of John-Ford Griffin, the Seminoles have once again put themselves in position to reach Omaha. Batting .458 with 18 home runs and 68 RBI, Griffin is among the national leaders in several offensive categories. Ryan Barthelemy is hitting .332 and has 14 home runs and 64 RBI of his own.

Injuries could be a problem for the Seminoles this weekend though. Center fielder and speedster Karl Jernigan injured a hand during Tuesday’s practice and is questionable. Hitting .308 from his lead-off spot, Jernigan is most dangerous on the base paths with 28 stolen bases in 32 attempts this year. Also doubtful is freshman second baseman Bryan Zech. Suffering an injured ankle in last week’s ACC Tournament, Zech hasn’t responded well to treatment and isn’t expected to be full speed this weekend. If he is unable to go, it will force the Seminoles to move several players to different positions in order to get their best lineup on the field.

One place the Seminoles don’t have any problems is on the mound where they have a team ERA of 3.32. With veteran Blair Varnes expected to pitch on Friday, the Saturday pitcher should be either Matt Lynch (8-2, 3.05 ERA) or Bobby Read (7-4, 3.71 ERA). Either way the Seminoles will send a quality pitcher to the mound for the first three games. The stat that is most impressive is the fact that no pitcher on the roster has an ERA of over 5.25, which is quite uncommon in collegiate baseball. That means this team can run quality pitching at opponents all day, putting a premium on taking advantage of scoring opportunities.

In their first game on Friday evening, the Seminoles take on Bethune-Cookman. Just 26-32 on the year, you wouldn’t expect the fourth seed to give Florida State a game, but that could be the case. Sporting one of the better pitchers in the region in Cesar Montes de Oca (7-3, 2.87 ERA), the Wildcats are a very dangerous team when he’s on the mound. With wins over Florida Atlantic, Central Florida and Jacksonville, Bethune-Cookman could give the Seminoles a run for their money. But, you can still expect the Seminoles to be in the winner’s bracket come Saturday afternoon.

If Auburn wins on Friday, it would play the winner of FSU and Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Central. If the Tigers were to win that game they would be off until Sunday afternoon while awaiting a team to emerge from the loser’s bracket. A loss by Auburn on Friday would make for a very long or very short weekend with five more games possible or just a 10 a.m. CDT elimination game on Saturday morning if the Tigers lost that one.

There is no television coverage scheduled as the Tigers make their 14th NCAA baseball appearance. Auburn’s all-time record is 30-19 in regional play. Auburn has an all-time record of 8-8 vs. Jacksonville although the Tigers and Dolphins have not met since splitting a pair of games in 1977. The two teams played in Tallahassee in 1976 with Auburn defeating the Dolphins 7-5 in the NCAA regional finals to advance to the College World Series.

FSU has a 45-30 edge on the Tigers in the all-time series with a 6-4 lead in postseason games. Auburn and Bethune-Cookman have never met in baseball.

More AU Baseball

May 24, 2001

Injured Seminoles Still Impressive

FSU's John-Ford Griffin

The Florida State baseball team (43-17, 20-4 ACC) is looking to make its fourth straight trip to the College World Series. The last time the Noles fell short of Omaha, ironically, was in 1997 when Auburn took home the Tallahassee East Regional.

Most fans remember David Ross’ three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Tigers to an 8-7 win and send FSU into the losers bracket. AU went on to take the championship after Tiger starter Tim Hudson stuck out 12 Seminole batters in the title game.

It’s four years later and once again the Seminoles are seeded No. 1 at home and favored to take the regional. However, this isn't your typical powerhouse Florida State baseball team. Unlike the last three years, this club has glaring weaknesses everywhere you look. At the same time, if Mike Martin’s young and talented team gets hot, anything is possible. During one hot period this season, the Noles won 29 of 31 games.

Hitting:

The bats haven’t been Florida State’s strong suit this season. Prior to last weekend’s ACC Tournament the Seminoles were hitting under .300 as a team. Although FSU fell short in its conference tournament, the offense did show dramatic improvement hitting .353.

When you talk about the Seminole hitters you have to start with left fielder John-Ford Griffin. The ACC Player of the Year leads his team and the conference in almost every offensive category. His batting average has been above .450 all season and he has dramatically increased his power, doubling his home run totals from last season to 18.

Other than Griffin, no one else has emerged as a consistent hitter. The problem starts at the top where FSU head coach Martin has tried five different lead-off batters. Through the past couple weeks freshman shortstop Chris Cole has been the man and he should hold that spot through the post-season. After Griffin, the only other legitimate power hitter is first baseman Ryan Barthelemy. Although the junior left-hander swings a big bat he’s a little undisciplined at the plate leading the team in strikeouts.

Designated-hitter and right fielder Mike Futrell was battling for a starting spot at the start of the season but earned a permanent spot in the lineup with his improved play at the plate. The Tallahassee native bats in the cleanup spot and is hitting more than 50 points higher than last season.

Florida State took a huge blow on both offense and defense when Karl Jernigan injured his hand during Wednesday’s practice. The senior center fielder will likely miss out on the regional while he recovers. In addition, second baseman Bryan Zech is also doubtful for action this weekend. That means Martin will have to dip further into his bench and further dilute the team’s offensive potential.

Pitching

A staple of Seminole baseball has always been quality pitching. The 2001 squad is no exception. Florida State leads the ACC and is eighth in the nation in team ERA. The staff is lead by ace Blair Varnes (8-1, 3.54). The junior right-hander is not only the team's top starter, he has extensive experience pitching in key games, including a start in the CWS title game two years ago despite a torn ACL. Varnes is scheduled to get the start in game one versus Bethune-Cookman.

During the second half of the season Matt Lynch or Robby Read have been the number two and three starters in the rotation. So far Martin hasn’t tipped his hand as to which hurler will get the nod in game two. Lynch has been the number two guy over the last few week and is probably the favorite to get the ball in game two. The sophomore left-hander sports an impressive 3.05 ERA and 8-2 record.

Read may have the best stuff on the team but you never know who will show up when he takes the mound. On the season the right-hander has a 3.71 ERA and a 7-4 record.

The middle relief is solid and has been the strength of the staff in the latter part of the season. If FSU is forced to go to the pen you are most likely to see LHP Trent Peterson (5-1, 2.70), RHP Eric Roman (3-2, 1.14) or LHP Daniel Hodges (3-3, 3.02). Both have really come on the last few weeks and Mike Martin won't hesitate to call on either should one of the starters falter.

The problem as of late has been the inability to close out games. The go-to guy all year, RHP Justin Lord (2-2, 3.25), has really struggled the last few weeks. The junior college transfer has blown save opportunities in his last three appearances. In light of his recent struggles, Martin could decide to go with one of his middle relievers in a closing role.

Fielding:

If you’re looking for a glaring weakness this is it. The problem started after last season when Florida State lost two key infielders at third and second base. Making matters worse shortstop Brett Groves suffered a season ending injury. The four-year starter was the only solid defender in the infield. Just to make it more challenging, last week starting second baseman Bryan Zech sprained his ankle and is listed as doubtful for the regional.

Things aren't much better in the outfield where senior center fielder Karl Jernigan will be out as well with an injury. The other outfielders are adequate but John-Ford Griffin, the team's top hitter, is a liability in left field.

Behind the plate freshman Tony Richie has dramatically improved his play both at and behind the plate. The fifth round selection of the Chicago White Sox has a cannon arm throwing out 55 percent of stolen base attempts.

Coaching:

Like Bobby Bowden on the football team, Mike Martin is an institution at Florida State. Martin has led his club to seven straight Top 10 finishes and three straight CWS appearances. The 22-year Seminole coach trails only Wichita State’s Gene Stephenson as the winningest active Division 1 coaches with 1,175 wins.

Martin’s greatest accomplishment is also his only black eye. The Seminole skipper has guided his team to Omaha 12 times, including six trips over the past eight seasons. The problem is that he’s never brought the title back to Tallahassee, something his fans often hold against him.

Martin was recognized for his exceptional coaching ability this season by being honored as the ACC’s top coach. Considering the number of injuries and relative youth of the 2001 team, he’s done a fantastic job bringing this group together and putting them in position to make another run at Omaha.

May 24, 2001

Wounded Seminoles Still Impressive

FSU's John-Ford Griffin

Most fans remember David Ross’ three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Tigers to an 8-7 win and send FSU into the losers bracket. AU went on to take the championship after Tiger starter Tim Hudson stuck out 12 Seminole batters in the title game.

It’s four years later and once again the Seminoles are seeded No. 1 at home and favored to take the regional. However, this isn't your typical powerhouse Florida State baseball team. Unlike the last three years, this club has glaring weaknesses everywhere you look. At the same time, if Mike Martin’s young and talented team gets hot, anything is possible. During one hot period this season, the Noles won 29 of 31 games.

Hitting:

The bats haven’t been Florida State’s strong suit this season. Prior to last weekend’s ACC Tournament the Seminoles were hitting under .300 as a team. Although FSU fell short in its conference tournament, the offense did show dramatic improvement hitting .353.

When you talk about the Seminole hitters you have to start with left fielder John-Ford Griffin. The ACC Player of the Year leads his team and the conference in almost every offensive category. His batting average has been above .450 all season and he has dramatically increased his power, doubling his home run totals from last season to 18.

Other than Griffin, no one else has emerged as a consistent hitter. The problem starts at the top where FSU head coach Martin has tried five different lead-off batters. Through the past couple weeks freshman shortstop Chris Cole has been the man and he should hold that spot through the post-season. After Griffin, the only other legitimate power hitter is first baseman Ryan Barthelemy. Although the junior left-hander swings a big bat he’s a little undisciplined at the plate leading the team in strikeouts.

Designated-hitter and right fielder Mike Futrell was battling for a starting spot at the start of the season but earned a permanent spot in the lineup with his improved play at the plate. The Tallahassee native bats in the cleanup spot and is hitting more than 50 points higher than last season.

Florida State took a huge blow on both offense and defense when Karl Jernigan injured his hand during Wednesday’s practice. The senior center fielder will likely miss out on the regional while he recovers. In addition, second baseman Bryan Zech is also doubtful for action this weekend. That means Martin will have to dip further into his bench and further dilute the team’s offensive potential.

Pitching

A staple of Seminole baseball has always been quality pitching. The 2001 squad is no exception. Florida State leads the ACC and is eighth in the nation in team ERA. The staff is lead by ace Blair Varnes (8-1, 3.54). The junior right-hander is not only the team's top starter, he has extensive experience pitching in key games, including a start in the CWS title game two years ago despite a torn ACL. Varnes is scheduled to get the start in game one versus Bethune-Cookman.

During the second half of the season Matt Lynch or Robby Read have been the number two and three starters in the rotation. So far Martin hasn’t tipped his hand as to which hurler will get the nod in game two. Lynch has been the number two guy over the last few week and is probably the favorite to get the ball in game two. The sophomore left-hander sports an impressive 3.05 ERA and 8-2 record.

Read may have the best stuff on the team but you never know who will show up when he takes the mound. On the season the right-hander has a 3.71 ERA and a 7-4 record.

The middle relief is solid and has been the strength of the staff in the latter part of the season. If FSU is forced to go to the pen you are most likely to see LHP Trent Peterson (5-1, 2.70), RHP Eric Roman (3-2, 1.14) or LHP Daniel Hodges (3-3, 3.02). Both have really come on the last few weeks and Mike Martin won't hesitate to call on either should one of the starters falter.

The problem as of late has been the inability to close out games. The go-to guy all year, RHP Justin Lord (2-2, 3.25), has really struggled the last few weeks. The junior college transfer has blown save opportunities in his last three appearances. In light of his recent struggles, Martin could decide to go with one of his middle relievers in a closing role.

Fielding:

If you’re looking for a glaring weakness this is it. The problem started after last season when Florida State lost two key infielders at third and second base. Making matters worse shortstop Brett Groves suffered a season ending injury. The four-year starter was the only solid defender in the infield. Just to make it more challenging, last week starting second baseman Bryan Zech sprained his ankle and is listed as doubtful for the regional.

Things aren't much better in the outfield where senior center fielder Karl Jernigan will be out as well with an injury. The other outfielders are adequate but John-Ford Griffin, the team's top hitter, is a liability in left field.

Behind the plate freshman Tony Richie has dramatically improved his play both at and behind the plate. The fifth round selection of the Chicago White Sox has a cannon arm throwing out 55 percent of stolen base attempts.

Coaching:

Like Bobby Bowden on the football team, Mike Martin is an institution at Florida State. Martin has led his club to seven straight Top 10 finishes and three straight CWS appearances. The 22-year Seminole coach trails only Wichita State’s Gene Stephenson as the winningest active Division 1 coaches with 1,175 wins.

Martin’s greatest accomplishment is also his only black eye. The Seminole skipper has guided his team to Omaha 12 times, including six trips over the past eight seasons. The problem is that he’s never brought the title back to Tallahassee, something his fans often hold against him.

Martin was recognized for his exceptional coaching ability this season by being honored as the ACC’s top coach. Considering the number of injuries and relative youth of the 2001 team, he’s done a fantastic job bringing this group together and putting them in position to make another run at Omaha.

Editor's Note: Gene Williams of Warchant.com, the top web site for FSU sports, wrote this article on the Seminoles.

May 24, 2001

Wounded Seminoles Still Impressive and Dangerous

FSU's John-Ford Griffin

Most fans remember David Ross’ three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Tigers to an 8-7 win and send FSU into the losers bracket. AU went on to take the championship after Tiger starter Tim Hudson stuck out 12 Seminole batters in the title game.

It’s four years later and once again the Seminoles are seeded No. 1 at home and favored to take the regional. However, this isn't your typical powerhouse Florida State baseball team. Unlike the last three years, this club has glaring weaknesses everywhere you look. At the same time, if Mike Martin’s young and talented team gets hot, anything is possible. During one period this season, the Noles won 29 of 31 games.

Hitting:

The bats haven’t been Florida State’s strong suit this season. Prior to last weekend’s ACC Tournament the Seminoles were hitting under .300 as a team. Although FSU fell short in its conference tournament, the offense did show dramatic improvement hitting .353.

When you talk about the Seminole hitters you have to start with left fielder John-Ford Griffin. The ACC Player of the Year leads his team and the conference in almost every offensive category. His batting average has been above ..450 all season and he has dramatically increased his power, doubling his home run totals from last season to 18.

Other than Griffin, no one else has emerged as a consistent hitter. The problem starts at the top where FSU head coach Martin has tried five different lead-off batters. Through the past couple weeks freshman shortstop Chris Cole has been the man and he should hold that spot through the post-season. After Griffin, the only other legitimate power hitter is first baseman Ryan Barthelemy. Although the junior left-hander swings a big bat he’s a little undisciplined at the plate leading the team in strikeouts.

Designated-hitter and right fielder Mike Futrell was battling for a starting role at the start of the season but earned a permanent spot in the lineup with his improved play at the plate. The Tallahassee native bats in the cleanup spot and is hitting more than 50 points higher than last season.

Florida State took a huge blow on both offense and defense when Karl Jernigan injured his hand during Wednesday’s practice. The senior center fielder will likely miss out on the regional while he recovers. In addition, second baseman Bryan Zech is also doubtful for action this weekend. That means Martin will have to dip further into his bench and further dilute the team’s offensive potential.

Pitching

A staple of Seminole baseball has always been quality pitching. The 2001 squad is no exception. Florida State leads the ACC and is eighth in the nation in team ERA. The staff is lead by ace Blair Varnes (8-1, 3.54). The junior right-hander is not only the team's top starter, he has extensive experience pitching in key games, including a start in the CWS title game two years ago despite a torn ACL. Varnes is scheduled to get the start in game one versus Bethune-Cookman.

During the second half of the season Matt Lynch and Robby Read have been the number two and three starters in the rotation. So far Martin hasn’t tipped his hand as to which hurler will get the nod in game two. Lynch has been the number two guy over the last few weeks and is probably the favorite to get the ball in game two. The sophomore left-hander sports an impressive 3.05 ERA and 8-2 record.

Read may have the best stuff on the team but you never know who will show up when he takes the mound. On the season the right-hander has a 3.71 ERA and a 7-4 record.

The middle relief is solid and has been the strength of the staff in the latter part of the season. If FSU is forced to go to the pen you are most likely to see LHP Trent Peterson (5-1, 2.70), RHP Eric Roman (3-2, 1.14) or LHP Daniel Hodges (3-3, 3.02). All three have really come on the last few weeks and Mike Martin won't hesitate to call on any of them should one of the starters falter.

The problem as of late has been the inability to close out games. The go-to guy all year, RHP Justin Lord (2-2, 3.25), has really struggled the last few weeks. The junior college transfer has blown save opportunities in his last three appearances. In light of his recent struggles, Martin could decide to go with one of his middle relievers in a closing role.

Fielding:

If you’re looking for a glaring weakness this is it. The problem started after last season when Florida State lost two key infielders at second and third base. Making matters worse shortstop Brett Groves suffered a season ending injury. The four-year starter was the only solid defender in the infield. Just to make it more challenging, last week starting second baseman Bryan Zech sprained his ankle and is listed as doubtful for the regional.

Things aren't much better in the outfield where senior center fielder Karl Jernigan will be out as well with an injury. The other outfielders are adequate but John-Ford Griffin, the team's top hitter, is a liability in left field.

Behind the plate freshman Tony Richie has dramatically improved his play both at and behind the plate. The fifth round selection of the Chicago White Sox has a cannon arm throwing out 55 percent of stolen base attempts.

Coaching:

Like Bobby Bowden on the football team, Mike Martin is an institution at Florida State. Martin has led his club to seven straight top 10 finishes and three straight CWS appearances. The 22-year Seminole coach trails only Wichita State’s Gene Stephenson as the winningest active Division 1 coach with 1,175 wins.

Martin’s greatest accomplishment is also his only black eye. The Seminole skipper has guided his team to Omaha 12 times, including six trips over the past eight seasons. The problem is that he’s never brought the title back to Tallahassee, something his fans often hold against him.

Martin was recognized for his exceptional coaching ability this season by being honored as the ACC’s top coach. Considering the number of injuries and relative youth of the 2001 team, he’s done a fantastic job bringing this group together and putting them in position to make another run at Omaha.

Editor's Note: Gene Williams of Warchant.com, the top web site for FSU sports, wrote this article on the Seminoles.

Familiar Site For Tigers

May 24, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 24, 2001

With 18 To Play, Tigers and Troche Near The Top

Diana Ramage

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- For a second straight day, Auburn shot a 294 team total but the Tigers dropped to six strokes off the pace at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship on Thursday.

With 18 holes to play on Friday, Auburn will have to overtake tournament favorite Duke, which maintained first place status with a 290 (+18) total to lead Georgia by four shots and Auburn (+24, 888) by six. Texas, which shot a 291 on Thursday, is tied for third with Auburn and Oklahoma State is fifth at 892.

A strong performance by SEC Freshman of the Year Diana Ramage helped keep the Tigers in the hunt for the title. She carded a three-under-par 69 in round three, significantly better than an opening day 82 and and a day two 74. Ramage, a qualifier for the U.S. Open last week, birdied 10, 11 and 12 to move to three-under-par and stayed there after having two more bogeys and two more birdies on the back nine.

"It was easy for me to stay focused because I was too tired to think too much," said Ramage. "I was just in a zone. I was stoning everything, hitting it close. My putt on No. 11 (a 12-footer) was the longest putt I had. I was happy I was able to make it through 18 holes."

Sophomore Celeste Troche shot a 74 to go with earlier rounds of 72 and 68. She is tied for third individually at two-under-par 214 with Jimin King of Arizona State. Katy Harris of LSU leads the tournament at 212 and Laura Moffat of UCLA is second at 213. Troche was two-over-par on the front and even on the back nine on Friday.

"This is what the NCAA Championship is all about with it being this close," AU Coach Kim Evans said. "We have been putting together pieces to this puzzle and, hopefully ,we'll finish it like we have all year. Each of our players need to play their part, and I am sure they will like they have all year long."

Sophomore Danielle Downey shot a 75 on Friday, her best round of the tournament. She had pars on holes 13-18 and improved from a 78 on Wednesday and a 76 on Tuesday.

Courtney Swaim shot 76 on Friday, her worst day of the championship. Double bogeys on the par four ninth and 13th holes sent her over par.

Kimberly Strong struggled to a 13-over-par 85, but her total does not count on the team score, which is the total of the top four finishers for each five-player lineup. Strong is 26-over-par for three rounds at the El Campeon course at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort near Orlando.

Auburn shot 300 on the opening day and followed that with 294 totals. The Tigers will likely have to shoot their best round of the four days on Friday to have a chance to take the first national title in AU women’s sports history. Coach Kim Evans says the Tigers can definitely go lower.

Auburn’s previous best showing in golf was a sixth place finish last year. The Tigers came into the tournament ranked third nationally.

Oklahoma State, which was tied with Duke for the lead after two rounds, is now 10 strokes off the pace after shooting a 300 on Thursday.

May 24, 2001

AU Junior Loses In NCAA Tennis

Tiago Ruffoni

ATHENS, Ga. -- Athens, Ga.--Junior Tiago Ruffoni was a straight sets loser to K.J. Hippensteel of Stanford in the opening round of singles play at the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships.

Ruffoni lost 6-3, 6-4 in the final match of the season for Coach Eric Shore’s Tigers. Ruffoni was 23-13 for the year in singles matches and ranked 29th nationally.

“Tiago had a great season and was a big part of our success this year as a team,” Shore said.

Ruffoni and partner George Matijasevic withdrew from the doubles competition. Matijasevic had surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm after losing to Duke in the second round of the NCAA regional team competition. The Auburn duo was ranked ninth nationally with a 25-7 record.

May 25, 2001

Will Third Time Be A Charm In Tallahassee?

Mailon Kent

AUBURN, Ala. -- Contrary to the opinions of some around the country, including a few officials in the SEC offices in Birmingham, the Auburn Tigers received an invitation to participate in the 2001 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

Auburn gets started in Tallahassee, Fla., when the Tigers take on the Jacksonville University Dolphins at 2 p.m CDT in the first of two games on Friday.

While some, including SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, said that the Southeastern Conference would only get six teams into the 64-team field and maybe get a seventh if the league was fortunate, the NCAA Selection Committee differed from those opinions. The group broke tradition and new ground at the same time when it put eight SEC teams into the field with none lower than a number two seed in their region. This marks the first time in the tournament’s history that a conference has had eight teams selected for the field.

“I’m very excited and kind of shocked right now,” said senior center fielder Mailon Kent. “I wasn’t sure coming into the meeting whether we were going to make it or not. I read the Birmingham News article (Monday) morning (which contained an article with quotes from Kramer on why Auburn shouldn’t make the field) and I was kind of optimistic until I read that. At least it turned out to be OK for us.”

OK indeed. The Tigers get to make their fourth trip to Tallahassee in five seasons when they head to Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State University. For seniors like Kent, this will be his third NCAA Tournament trip to the FSU campus at a site that features one of the rowdiest crowds in the country, led by a section of fans collectively known as “The Animals.”

Finishing eighth in the toughest league in America had to count for something and Kent says he believes that is what earned his Tigers a spot in the field this year with so many teams across the country vying for just a few spots after the automatic bids were handed out. “Obviously, we were kind of nervous when we lost our first two games,” Kent says of his team’s poor showing in Birmingham last week at the SEC Tournament.

“This conference is a great conference,” Kent adds. “I think it’s the best in the nation. We got the respect we deserved today by all eight teams making it. I think the SEC will do well in the tournament and I hope we’re able to come out of Florida State. It’s a tough place to play. This will be my third time to go down there. We can’t overlook Jacksonville right now. I don’t know anything about them right now, but I’m sure they’ve got a good team.”

For another senior, who had an up and down season just like his team, the wait was worth it when he saw his team in the bracket with Jacksonville. “I thought we had played well enough to get in one, but you never know,” first baseman Todd Faulkner says. “It’s definitely a comforting feeling when they announced us on TV…I’m just happy to be in the tournament. Every team down there is well deserving to be in the tournament and it’s going to be tough. I just look forward to playing again.”

After all this team went through this season, it’s no wonder they were all smiles as they headed out to practice on Monday. With most of the troubles of the season now firmly behind them and a fresh start awaiting on Friday, they can just relax and play ball again without worrying whether or not they will be in this tournament or that tournament. It has all been decided and this team deserves all the credit.

“You can’t do anything about the stuff that has gone by,” Faulkner says about the close losses and the nine-game losing streak early in the year when he was trying to recover from a preseason wrist injury. “I’m sure every team could have done that. We were just hoping people would see that we were deserving to get in a regional, which we were. I’m just excited to be playing still...We feel good. It’s definitely a clean slate and we’ve come through a lot this year. We’ll start on Friday again. It’s a brand new season.”

With most of the formalities out of the way, it’s time to get back to business. For Auburn that means getting ready to play at a place where many ghosts still haunt them. The latest happened just two years ago when a strange bounce and an unlikely hero led Florida State past the Tigers 6-3 to earn a trip to the College World Series, Auburn’s second straight NCAA Tournament series defeat at the hands of the Seminoles. This year’s senior class has one more chance to advance to the College World Series via Tallahassee, something the Tigers did in 1997 led by a dramatic home run by catcher David Ross. However, that was a year before this year’s seniors began playing for the Tigers.

“I haven’t won down there yet,” Kent says. “Maybe the third time is the charm.”

Auburn Player Statistics

Jacksonville University Baseball Stats

May 25, 2001

It's The Tigers In 10

Gabe Gross

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tallahassee, Fla.--A solo home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning by Gabe Gross sent Auburn’s NCAA Baseball Tournament opener into extra innings.

A bases loaded single with nobody out in the bottom of the 10th by freshman right fielder Javon Moran scored senior Hayden Gliemmo, who had pinch-hit and reached on a walk, to give the Tigers a dramatic 8-7 victory on Friday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium.

Auburn trailed 7-6 in the ninth inning when Gross hit his homer to left field off of Jacksonville relief ace Casey Shumaker.

In the bottom of the 10th, Gliemmo reached on a walk and got to third when the Dolphins misplayed a sacrifice bunt by to move Gliemmo to third. A walk to Jonathan Schuerholz loaded the bases and set the stage for Moran’s big hit.

A pair of three-run homers by the Jacksonville were the big blows for the Dolphins and they almost sent Auburn into the loser’s bracket in the NCAA Baseball Tournament sub-regional.

However, the comeback now means the Tigers will play in the winner’s bracket at 2 p.m. CDT on Saturday vs. the winner of the Friday evening game matching No. 1 seed and host FSU vs. No. 4 seed Bethune-Cookman. The losers of the first two games will play in the elimination game at 10 a.m. CDT on Saturday.

Auburn struck for two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Mailon Kent and Gabe Gross both reached base on singles and scored on a single by Todd Faulkner.

The lead didn’t last long. The Dolphins scored four runs on four hits with the big blow a three-run homer by third baseman Billy Kickham over the right field fence. The other run came as catcher Chad Oliva, who reached on a single, scored on a single by first baseman Jami Rodgers.

The Tigers cut the lead to 4-3 in the second inning. Sophomore shortstop Jonathan Schuerholz, who reached first on a bunt single, scored on a sacrifice fly from leadoff hitter Jovan Moran.

Auburn tied the game in the third on a double by catcher Trent Pratt with two outs to score Gross, who was on second base after reaching base on a walk.

The Dolphins used another three-run homer to regain the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Right fielder Phil Nover’s shot off of Speigner made the score 7-4.

The Tigers responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gross led off the inning with a single and scored on a double by Faulkner. Faulkner scored from third base with one out on a groundout RBI by Pratt.

Auburn had a chance to take the lead in the sixth inning with runners on third base and second base with no outs, but the Dolphins escaped the inning with the one-run lead with Schuerholz made a base-running blunder and failed to tag up on a fly ball to left field.

Speigner pitched into the eighth inning before being relieved by Eric Brandon. He inherited a runner on first with one out and quickly retired the side.

The Tigers, the second seed, improved to 36-19 while Jacksonville, the number three seed, dropped to 38-24.

Box Score

Jason Caldwell will comments from players and coaches in a more detailed report later today from Dick Howser Stadium.

May 25, 2001

It's The Tigers In 10 Innings

Gabe Gross is congratulated following his big homer.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gabe Gross hit a dramatic solo home run to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth and then Javon Moran singled home the winning run in the tenth as the No. 2 seed Auburn Tigers defeated the No. 3 seed Jacksonville Dolphins 8-7 Friday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State University.

The victory moves the Tigers into the all-important winner’s bracket at the NCAA Baseball Tournament sub-regional as they will play FSU, which defeated Bethune-Cookman 8-1. The Seminoles led just 1-0 Friday night until they add some cushion with three runs in the seventh and four in the eighth.

“These two teams battled very hard and I think it shows what the committee (NCAA Selection Committee) has done,” said AU coach Steve Renfroe. “A two and three seed game is supposed to be that kind of game and it was. It played out the way a two and three seed should. It was evenly matched and went down to the last inning and two All-American type guys met. We were fortunate enough on that one to come out ahead. The guy (Gross) has done it all year and we got a big-time play out of a big-time player.”

Needing a run to keep playing in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers were facing a tough task having to bat against third-team All-American closer Casey Shumaker. Sporting just a 7-5 record on the season but owning a very impressive ERA of just 1.86, the task was tall. But once again the cardiac kids responded.

This time one swing of the bat was all Auburn needed to stay alive. With one out, Gross drilled one the opposite way and with the wind blowing out just slightly, he carried it just off the top of the wall and over the fence for his 14th home run of the season sending this one to extra innings.

“It actually fooled me a little bit,” Gross said of the pitch he hit for the home run. “I just got lucky. My hands reacted well to it. It was a slider and it broke hard in. I was just lucky to get a little backspin on it. I hit it well and just got it out.”

It only got out of the ball park after another fantastic effort by Jacksonville center fielder Chris Reier just missed saving the day for the Dolpins. A former football player at the University of Alabama, Reier went to the wall to rob Mailon Kent of a base hit in the sixth inning with runners on first and second and nobody out. The catch kept Auburn from possibly breaking open the game at that point. This time, he came up just a little short, crashing into the wall just before he could make the play to prevent the smash from Gross from going over the fence.

“Casey pitched good in the eighth and in the ninth, I think facing the All-American, and he’s a great player, great players seem to do the impossible,” Jacksonville head coach Terry Alexander said. “He got a home run when his team needed it the most and I give him a lot of credit for that because he hit a pretty good pitch and hit it out. I think that probably affected Casey a little bit. He wasn’t as sharp.”

With the game now tied heading to the 10th, it was time for AU’s closer, Eric Brandon, to keep the Dolphins at bay. Entering the game in the eighth inning in relief of starter Levale Speigner, Brandon was magnificent. Allowing just one hit in two and two/thirds innings, the freshman from Nashville, Tenn., kept Jacksonville scoreless and gave Auburn a chance to win it in the bottom half of the inning.

In a position change that Renfroe said was suggested by assistant coach Chris Finwood, Auburn sent pinch-hitter Hayden Gliemmo to the plate with the first at-bat in the 10th inning to face the submariner Shumaker. Noticing that he had some problems using certain pitches against the left-handed hitting Gross, he told Renfroe that lefty batter Gliemmo might present a problem. Gliemmo did just that, drawing a walk that set the eventual game winning scenario in motion.

On first with nobody out, it was all but certain that Auburn would try to move Gliemmo to second base with a bunt with second baseman Justin Christian at the plate and nobody out. After fouling off the first two pitches, Christian got the third one down and it was a little hot as Jacksonville third baseman Billy Hickam fielded it. With time to get Gliemmo at second, he rushed his throw a bit and launched it into right field to give the Tigers runners on second and third with nobody out.

Following an intentional walk to number nine hitter Jonathan Schuerholz to load the bases and set up a force play at the plate, Moran came up just looking to put the ball in play. He did much more than that, drilling one down the line past a diving Hickman to score Gliemmo with the game winning run.

“It was an inside pitch,” Moran said. “I was just thinking, ‘hit it somewhere where they can’t field it.’ When I hit it down the line I was thinking he’s going to make a diving catch‚. But it went over his glove. It was just a good hit and good placement I guess.”

The Tigers got off to a strong start in the first inning as a one-out single by Kent gave the second-seed some early life. Gross followed that with a single of his own to left-center that moved Kent all the way to third and a bad throw by the Jacksonville left fielder allowed Gross to move to second base putting two runners in scoring position. With Todd Faulkner at the plate, the senior first baseman delivered like he has so many times in Tallahassee in his career, this time singling to center to score both runners and Auburn had the early 2-0 lead.

It didn’t take the Dolphins long to respond to the Auburn outburst as they gave a little sign of things to come in the second inning. Catcher Chad Oliva led off with a single to right field and one out later Jami Rodgers singled to right to score Oliva, who had moved to second base on Speigner’s third wild pitch of the game.

Brook Hoover then singled to right field and the Dolphins had runners on first and second. That set the table for Billy Kickham, Jacksonville’s number eight hitter. He didn’t look like it though as he drove one deep over the right field fence for a three-run home run. When the dust had settled, Jacksonville had a 4-2 lead after two innings of play.

The Tigers came back with single runs in the second and third innings to tie the game but once again the long ball would haunt Speigner. With runners on first and third with one out, Jacksonville right fielder Phil Nover lifted a long fly ball to right field that just cleared the 30-foot chain link fence for another three-run home run and Auburn was trailing 7-4 at the halfway mark of this first round NCAA game.

Auburn would close ground on Jacksonville, this time in the bottom of the fifth. Gross got things going with a single to left field and Faulkner followed with a double to right-center field that scored the junior left fielder all the way from first to cut the lead to just two.

After a ground ball by Scott Schade moved Faulkner over the third, Trent Pratt did his job by hitting a slow ground ball to short that scored Faulkner from third to make the score 7-6 Jacksonville heading to the sixth inning.

Speigner pitched scoreless innings in both the sixth and the seventh innings and got one batter in the eighth before turning things over to Brandon. Speigner, who is from nearby Thomasville, Ga., allowed eight hits and seven earned runs in seven and one/third innings without walking a batter. Without his best stuff, Speigner hung tough and gave the Tigers some needed innings in order to keep the bullpen fresh for the weekend.

Renfroe said he appreciated the effort from his starting pitcher. :I thought Levale Speigner was outstanding,” the coach said. “Let me clarify that. He’ll tell you his stuff was not great, but he did not give in and he easily could have. You give up a three-spot on a home run down in the order and you give up another one when your team fights back. A lot of times a lesser guy would kind of give in at that point. We did not need to go to the bullpen early today and I just asked him to give me a couple more and he did.”

Auburn will need a good outing on Saturday as true freshman Cory Dueitt takes the mound. Although his record is just 3-4 on the year with an ERA of 4.46, Dueitt has been solid in his last two outings, especially last week against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament when he allowed just six hits and four runs in six and one/third innings in the loss to the Gamecocks. The first pitch for Saturday is scheduled for 2 p.m. CDT as the Tigers face the host FSU Seminoles. There is no TV coverage.

Powering Up: NCAA Tourney Sidebar

Box Score

Wounded Seminoles

Other NCAA Games

May 25, 2001

Powering Up: Big Hitters Come Alive

Trent Pratt is on the run in Tallahassee.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Coming into the 2001 season, Auburn baseball coaches, players and fans expected the big guns on the 2001 team to be Gabe Gross, Todd Faulkner and transfer catcher Trent Pratt.

With the hopes running high, it was speculated the power-hitting trio could lead the way for the Tigers to return to Omaha, but injuries and setbacks along the way have kept the threesome from achieving what has been expected of them as a unit.

Friday at Dick Howser Stadium against the Jacksonville Dolphins, they showed what they are capable of at the plate if they can get hot down the stretch. With a combined eight hits and six RBI, the trio delivered when the team needed them the most.

Of all eight hits, none were bigger than the solo home run Gross drilled with one out in the ninth inning to send the game to an extra frame. Facing one of the best relievers in the country, the junior from Dothan didn’t back down as he got just enough of an outside pitch to send it over the wall.

“I knew I hit it well, but I didn’t know if I got enough of it,” Gross remembered. “The guy (outfielder Chris Reier) had already run one of Mailon’s (Kent) down right at the wall. I knew he was able to make a play on it if he could and I just kind of held my breath. When I saw it hit (the top of the fence), I breathed a big sigh of relief.”

Also breathing a big sigh of relief were Tiger fans hoping to see the offense come to life in Tallahassee. Someone who probably didn’t mind seeing Dick Howser Stadium as Auburn’s destination for regional play is Faulkner. Since homering two times in his first-ever regional game there, he has made a living hitting in the ballpark. Just when it looked like he would finish his college career without a bang after struggling in the SEC Tournament in Birmingham, a trip to Tallahassee has given Faulkner new life and this team seems to feed off that.

“I just think Todd is a good hitter,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said after Auburn’s thrilling 8-7 victory over the Dolphins. “He’s battled through a lot of injuries and he knows that it’s getting to the end and it’s important for us to have him. I don’t think it’s the place, I think it’s the kid. I just think he’s that kind of kid. He stepped up for us. All of these guys did. We’ve been down so many times, our dugout was just fine. It was kind of, ‘Here we go again,’ and they found a way to pull one out.”

That seems to be the theme for this Auburn baseball team. The Tigers seem to feel more at ease when they are in a dangerous situation. Whether it was starting the conference season 0-9, getting behind not once but twice when they were in a must-win situation in Baton Rouge facing the LSU Tigers or trailing late in Friday’s game against Jacksonville, this team just seems to have all the answers. If that continues, don’t be surprised if the Tigers have more success in the NCAA Tournament than many expect them to be able to do. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s never very relaxing going into the eight and ninth inning down,” said Gross. “At the same time, I think this year has taught everyone on this team that no matter if we’re up two or three late or if we’re down two or three late, it ain’t over until that last out is recorded. It’s definitely a lesson we’ve learned a lot of times this year.”

On To The Winner's Bracket

May 25, 2001

Powering Up: Big Hitters Come Alive For AU

Trent Pratt is on the run in Tallahassee.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Coming into the 2001 season, Auburn baseball coaches, players and fans expected the big guns on the 2001 team to be Gabe Gross, Todd Faulkner and transfer catcher Trent Pratt.

With the hopes running high, it was speculated the power-hitting trio could lead the way for the Tigers to return to Omaha, but injuries and setbacks along the way have kept the threesome from achieving what has been expected of them as a unit.

Friday at Dick Howser Stadium against the Jacksonville Dolphins, they showed what they are capable of at the plate if they can get hot down the stretch. With a combined eight hits and six RBI, the trio delivered when the team needed them the most.

Of all eight hits, none were bigger than the solo home run Gross drilled with one out in the ninth inning to send the game to an extra frame. Facing one of the best relievers in the country, the junior from Dothan didn’t back down as he got just enough of an outside pitch to send it over the wall.

“I knew I hit it well, but I didn’t know if I got enough of it,” Gross remembered. “The guy (outfielder Chris Reier) had already run one of Mailon’s (Kent) down right at the wall. I knew he was able to make a play on it if he could and I just kind of held my breath. When I saw it hit (the top of the fence), I breathed a big sigh of relief.”

Also breathing a big sigh of relief were Tiger fans hoping to see the offense come to life in Tallahassee. Someone who probably didn’t mind seeing Dick Howser Stadium as Auburn’s destination for regional play is Faulkner. Since homering two times in his first-ever regional game there, he has made a living hitting in the ballpark. Just when it looked like he would finish his college career without a bang after struggling in the SEC Tournament in Birmingham, a trip to Tallahassee has given Faulkner new life and this team seems to feed off that.

“I just think Todd is a good hitter,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said after Auburn’s thrilling 8-7 victory over the Dolphins. “He’s battled through a lot of injuries and he knows that it’s getting to the end and it’s important for us to have him. I don’t think it’s the place, I think it’s the kid. I just think he’s that kind of kid. He stepped up for us. All of these guys did. We’ve been down so many times, our dugout was just fine. It was kind of, ‘Here we go again,’ and they found a way to pull one out.”

That seems to be the theme for this Auburn baseball team. The Tigers seem to feel more at ease when they are in a dangerous situation. Whether it was starting the conference season 0-9, getting behind not once but twice when they were in a must-win situation in Baton Rouge facing the LSU Tigers or trailing late in Friday’s game against Jacksonville, this team just seems to have all the answers. If that continues, don’t be surprised if the Tigers have more success in the NCAA Tournament than many expect them to be able to do. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s never very relaxing going into the eight and ninth inning down,” said Gross. “At the same time, I think this year has taught everyone on this team that no matter if we’re up two or three late or if we’re down two or three late, it ain’t over until that last out is recorded. It’s definitely a lesson we’ve learned a lot of times this year.”

Gross, Faulkner and Pratt will try to keep alive the Tigers' dream of reaching the College World Series when they face tournament host FSU at 2 p.m. CDT in a winner's bracket game.

On To The Winner's Bracket

May 25, 2001

Powering Up: Big Hitters Come Alive In NCAA Game

Trent Pratt is on the run in Tallahassee.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Coming into the 2001 season, Auburn baseball coaches, players and fans expected the big guns on the 2001 team to be Gabe Gross, Todd Faulkner and transfer catcher Trent Pratt.

With the hopes running high, it was speculated the power-hitting trio could lead the way for the Tigers to return to Omaha, but injuries and setbacks along the way have kept the threesome from achieving what has been expected of them as a unit.

Friday at Dick Howser Stadium against the Jacksonville Dolphins, they showed what they are capable of at the plate if they can get hot down the stretch. With a combined eight hits and six RBI, the trio delivered when the team needed them the most.

Of all eight hits, none were bigger than the solo home run Gross drilled with one out in the ninth inning to send the game to an extra frame. Facing one of the best relievers in the country, the junior from Dothan didn’t back down as he got just enough of an outside pitch to send it over the wall.

“I knew I hit it well, but I didn’t know if I got enough of it,” Gross remembered. “The guy (outfielder Chris Reier) had already run one of Mailon’s (Kent) down right at the wall. I knew he was able to make a play on it if he could and I just kind of held my breath. When I saw it hit (the top of the fence), I breathed a big sigh of relief.”

Also breathing a big sigh of relief were Tiger fans hoping to see the offense come to life in Tallahassee. Someone who probably didn’t mind seeing Dick Howser Stadium as Auburn’s destination for regional play is Faulkner. Since homering two times in his first-ever regional game there, he has made a living hitting in the ballpark. Just when it looked like he would finish his college career without a bang after struggling in the SEC Tournament in Birmingham, a trip to Tallahassee has given Faulkner new life and this team seems to feed off that.

“I just think Todd is a good hitter,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said after Auburn’s thrilling 8-7 victory over the Dolphins. “He’s battled through a lot of injuries and he knows that it’s getting to the end and it’s important for us to have him. I don’t think it’s the place, I think it’s the kid. I just think he’s that kind of kid. He stepped up for us. All of these guys did. We’ve been down so many times, our dugout was just fine. It was kind of, ‘Here we go again,’ and they found a way to pull one out.”

That seems to be the theme for this Auburn baseball team. The Tigers seem to feel more at ease when they are in a dangerous situation. Whether it was starting the conference season 0-9, getting behind not once but twice when they were in a must-win situation in Baton Rouge facing the LSU Tigers or trailing late in Friday’s game against Jacksonville, this team just seems to have all the answers. If that continues, don’t be surprised if the Tigers have more success in the NCAA Tournament than many expect them to be able to do. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s never very relaxing going into the eight and ninth inning down,” said Gross. “At the same time, I think this year has taught everyone on this team that no matter if we’re up two or three late or if we’re down two or three late, it ain’t over until that last out is recorded. It’s definitely a lesson we’ve learned a lot of times this year.”

On To The Winner's Bracket

May 25, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 25, 2001

AU Golfers In 4th Place At NCAA

Kimberly Strong

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Auburn needed to put together its best round of the 2001 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship on Friday to challenge for a national title, but the Tigers had their worst day.

Playing in an early group, Auburn finished its final round with a 17-over-par 305 to go with rounds of 300, 294 and 294. AU is currently in fourth place, one spot down from where the Tigers started the day.

Sophomore Celeste Troche, who was in the hunt for the individual national title, also had her worst round of the four-day tournament. She was five-over-par for the final 18 holes on Friday to drop out of third place individually with a three-over-par total 291 for the tournament. Troche had rounds of 72, 68, 74 and 77 on the par 72, 6,106-yard El Campeon Course in suburban Orlando.

Auburn entered the final round in a tie for third place with Texas, six shots behind Duke and two behind Georgia, the SEC Tournament champion. Georgia is currently leading the event.

Junior Courtney Swaim finished at 12-over-par (300) with rounds of 73, 74, 76 and 77.

Sophomore Danielle Downey was 14-over-par (302) with rounds of 76, 78, 75 and 73.

Diana Ramage, the SEC Freshman of the Year, finished at plus 17 (305) with rounds of 82, 74, 69 and 80.

Junior Kimberly Strong finished at plus 32 (320) with rounds of 79, 78, 85 and 78. Her Friday round of six-over-par was the only one of her scores that counted in the team competition, which takes the top four scores each day to determine the team total.

(Additional details will be posted later on Friday following the completion of the tournament.)

May 25, 2001

AU Golfers In 4th Place At NCAA Championship

Kimberly Strong

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Auburn needed to put together its best round of the 2001 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship on Friday to challenge for a national title, but the Tigers had their worst day.

Playing in an early group, Auburn finished its final round with a 17-over-par 305 to go with rounds of 300, 294 and 294. AU is currently in fourth place, one spot down from where the Tigers started the day.

Sophomore Celeste Troche, who was in the hunt for the individual national title, also had her worst round of the four-day tournament. She was five-over-par for the final 18 holes on Friday to drop out of third place individually with a three-over-par total 291 for the tournament. Troche had rounds of 72, 68, 74 and 77 on the par 72, 6,106-yard El Campeon Course in suburban Orlando.

Auburn entered the final round in a tie for third place with Texas, six shots behind Duke and two behind Georgia, the SEC Tournament champion. Georgia is currently leading the event.

Junior Courtney Swaim finished at 12-over-par (300) with rounds of 73, 74, 76 and 77.

Sophomore Danielle Downey was 14-over-par (302) with rounds of 76, 78, 75 and 73.

Diana Ramage, the SEC Freshman of the Year, finished at plus 17 (305) with rounds of 82, 74, 69 and 80.

Junior Kimberly Strong finished at plus 32 (320) with rounds of 79, 78, 85 and 78. Her Friday round of six-over-par was the only one of her scores that counted in the team competition, which takes the top four scores each day to determine the team total.

(Additional details will be posted later on Friday following the completion of the tournament.)

May 25, 2001

Best Finish Ever For AU Golfers

AU's Courtney Swaim

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS -- Auburn needed to put together its best round of the 2001 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship on Friday to challenge for a national title, but the Tigers had their worst day.

Auburn needed to put together its best round of the 2001 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship on Friday to challenge for a national title, but the Tigers had their worst day.

Playing in an early group, Auburn (1193) finished its final round with a 17-over-par 305 to go with rounds of 300, 294 and 294. That put the Tigers in fourth place, 17 shots off the pace set by Georgia (1176). Duke, the number one ranked team going into the event, was second (1179) and Texas, which was tied with Auburn after three rounds, was third (1191).

The fourth place finish was the best ever by an AU women’s golf team. The previous best was sixth place last season.

Georgia had a two-over-par final round 290 to pull away from Duke, which shot 297, as well as Auburn and Texas.

Sophomore Celeste Troche, who was in the hunt for the individual national title, also had her worst round of the four-day tournament. She was five-over-par for the final 18 holes on Friday to drop out of third place individually with a three-over-par total 291 for the tournament.

Troche, who was named an All-American, had rounds of 72, 68, 74 and 77 on the par 72, 6,106-yard El Campeon Course in suburban Orlando. She finished ninth behind Duke's Candy Hanneman, who shot 287 and defeated Lorena Ochoa of Arizona on the first hole of a playoff.

Auburn entered the final round in a tie for third place with Texas, six shots behind Duke and two behind Georgia, the SEC Tournament champion.

Junior Courtney Swaim finished at 12-over-par (300) with rounds of 73, 74, 76 and 77. That put her 30th in the individual standings.

Sophomore Danielle Downey was 14-over-par (302) with rounds of 76, 78, 75 and 73. She tied for 39th.

Diana Ramage, the SEC Freshman of the Year, finished at plus 17 (305) with rounds of 82, 74, 69 and 80 to come in 55th.

Junior Kimberly Strong finished at plus 32 (320) with rounds of 79, 78, 85 and 78, which was 106th in the 24-team field. Her Friday round of six-over-par was the only one of her scores that counted in the team competition, which takes the top four scores each day to determine the team total.

Auburn finished one stroke ahead of Oklahoma State and UCLA, which tied for fifth place. Southern Cal was seventh at 1196, three shots behind Auburn.

"We got off to a slow start and never recovered," Coach Kim Evans said. "I am proud of a great year and I look forward to all five starters returning to next year's team. It was exciting to be in the hunt the last day and we just fell short. Hopefully, the momentum from this year will carry on for the Tigers next fall."

Final Standings

May 26, 2001

Staying Alive: Freshmen Pitchers Boost Tigers

Colby Paxton pitches vs. Jacksonville on Saturday.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In a must-win situation to keep the season alive, Auburn used strong performances by both Colby Paxton and Eric Brandon to keep the power-hitting Jacksonville University offense at bay.

The true freshmen allowed just eight hits and struck out five as the Tigers came away with a 3-2 win Saturday night in the last elimination game of the NCAA Baseball Tournament sub-regional at FSU. Auburn now must beat host Florida State twice on Sunday to advance to next weekend’s super regional play.

“It was kind of freshmen day today,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said after a long day of baseball on Saturday. “They wanted the older guys to keep playing and that was kind of neat. The older guys were trying so hard and they were really making an effort--maybe too much. The young guys were zoned in. Colby was outstanding and Eric got the job done to let them play again. I thought Jacksonville was very good and their pitchers were very good. That’s why it was a close 3-2 ball game.”

The Dolphins had some outstanding pitching of their own in this game as they had three hurlers combine to allow just eight hits and three earned runs. Especially impressive was reliever Jason Ryals. Entering the contest in the fifth inning, Ryals pitched four hitless innings of baseball before giving way to star closer Casey Shumaker in the ninth. Shumaker also held the Tigers without a hit as the JU pitchers kept the game close and gave the Dolphins several chances to tie or take the lead late in the game.

“We know that he has been pitching very well,” Jacksonville head coach Terry Richardson said of Ryals after Saturday night’s game. “We just had him throw fastballs and change-ups and an occasional slider away. We’ve learned that’s how he’s most effective. He can throw eight change-ups in a row and you can’t hit them, the bottom just falls out of them.”

Jacksonville got their only lead of the night in the third inning. After a Chad Hauseman single to right field to open the inning, B.J. Weed moved him to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a line drive to third that Scott Schade made a fantastic diving catch on, Phil Nover singled to center field and it appeared that he would score easily with two outs. But nothing is easy for the opposition with Mailon Kent patrolling the area. He fielded the single cleanly and came up gunning for the plate. Trent Pratt appeared to have the plate blocked and the throw came in right on time to get Hauseman. But it was to no avail as he was called safe in a close play and Jacksonville led 1-0.

Auburn would get that run back and a few more in the very next stanza as Gabe Gross ignited his teammates with a solo home run over the screen in right field to tie the game with one swing, just like he did Friday against Jacksonville.

Todd Faulkner followed Gross with a single to left field and advanced to second on a ground ball by Schade. Pratt then singled to center to put runners on first and third with just one out.

Designated hitter Hayden Gliemmo then earned his keep with a single to left that scored Faulkner and Auburn was in business. In a surprising move, Pratt and Gliemmo pulled off a double steal and the Tigers were on second and third with still just one out.

Justin Christian then lifted a fly ball to right field that scored Pratt easily from third base. On the play, a very wild throw from the right fielder gave Gliemmo a notion to try to score himself but he held his ground as the ball was fielded at the screen by the pitcher. That only lasted a second as the throw to the catcher was off the mark and Gliemmo ran towards the plate. Third baseman Billy Kickham fielded the errant throw and gunned down Gliemmo at home to end the inning, but the damage was done. Auburn led 3-1 and Paxton looked to be cruising.

Throwing fastballs beyond 90 miles per hour, Paxton looked very poised and calm on the mound Saturday night, something that hasn’t been his trademark lately. His first sign of trouble didn’t come until the fifth inning as Kickham led things off with a single to right field. Hauseman then walked to give the Dolphins runners at first and second with nobody out. After a Weed strikeout for the first out, Paxton coaxed a soft liner to Jonathan Schuerholz off the bat of Dale Johnson. Catching the ball in stride moving towards second, Schuerholz stepped on the bag just before Kickham could get to it and the inning was over with no harm done.

With reliever Ryals shutting the Tigers down, it was obvious the young pitchers would have to carry the load this game for the Tigers. But they got a supreme test of their own in the bottom of the seventh. Still holding a slim two-run lead, Paxton gave up a lead-off single to Scott Biernacki. Josh Johnson then singled to left center to put Paxton in a pinch.

Staring at the possible end to their season, Renfroe turned to Brandon just like he has since the middle of the season. His first batter didn’t go so well as Kickham attempted to bunt the runners over and dropped one down just on the third base foul line for a single to load the bases. Reaching down for that something extra, Brandon induced a 4-6-3 double play ball from Hauseman to allow a run to score and then got Weed to ground out to Schuerholz to end the inning. Giving up just one run with the bases loaded and nobody out, Brandon had saved the day for the Tigers.

He would face just one more challenge this game, that at the hands of Jacksonville home run leader Chad Oliva. With two outs and nobody on in the eighth, Oliva drilled one deep to right center. With Kent turning to look at the screen, it seemed like this game was tied but the ball hit just a few feet from the top of the 30-foot high fence and dropped onto the field of play for a double.

That brought big-man Jamie Rodgers to the plate. Brandon was relentless in his pursuit of the save, giving Rodgers a steady dose of sliders on the outside corner that he was just able to foul off time and time again. Set-up for any number of pitches, Brandon sent a laser on the inside corner for strike three and the final nail was almost in place. A one-out walk in the ninth gave the fans some drama, but a soft line drive to Christian and a ground ball to Faulkner at first base finished it out as Brandon earned his sixth save to keep Auburn alive.

“He came out there and stuck it to us twice,” Rodgers said of Brandon’s performance so far this weekend. “When you see somebody twice you usually have a pretty good idea of what they are going to try to do to you and how they are going to approach you. We just couldn’t catch up with him. It was a heck of a performance by him.”

Following the game, all the talk was center around the freshmen pitchers. With a one-game at a time mentality, this was a great time to get that game from Paxton. Struggling for much of the last half of the season, he went out and gave the Tigers exactly what they needed to advance.

“I knew the kind of pitching we had,” Gross said. “But at the same time, especially the way things started out, I wasn’t picturing three runs being all you needed. But, luckily we had two guys step up and their guys, I know Ryals came in and threw four innings without a hit, that’s big time…we were lucky enough to be one run better.”

The Tigers hope the good times continue on Sunday as they must beat the Florida State Seminoles twice to keep the season alive. In the first game, junior Brandon Luna (3-3, 4.32 ERA) will get the start against sophomore Robby Read (7-4, 3.71 ERA) from nearby Leon High School.

If a second game is needed, the likely starter for Auburn would be Brent Speigner, providing he doesn’t have to pitch in game one. The first pitch for game one is scheduled for noon CDT and the second game would follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

Auburn defeated the Dolphins 8-7 in 10 innings on Friday, sending them into the loser’s bracket. Jacksonville eliminated fourth seed Bethune-Cookman 3-0 on Saturday morning to set up the re-match with the Tigers on Saturday night.

Box Score

Tigers Vs. Seminoles Game Story

Tigers In Ten

Other NCAA Baseball Sites

May 26, 2001

Renfroe Says Bullpens The Difference As AU Falls

Pitcher Cory Dueitt throws vs. Seminoles.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tallahassee, Fla.--Florida State (45-17) broke open a 6-6 tie in the fifth inning with a single run and added two more in the sixth and one in the seventh as the Seminoles took a 10-6 win over Auburn (36-20) Saturday to send the Tigers into the loser’s bracket at the NCAA Regional at FSU.

Seminole Reliever Eric Roman was the star of the game, pitching five and one/third innings, allowing just four hits and one unearned run to pick up his fourth win of the season as a crowd of 4,203 watched at Dick Howser Stadium.

Auburn starter Cory Dueitt only lasted three and one/third innings before being pulled in favor of Sean Jones. Dueitt allowed five hits and six earned runs in his shortest outing of the season in a starting role. Jones suffered his first loss of the season. In one and two/thirds innings on the hill, Jones gave up two runs on three hits.

“I thought the story of the game was Roman,” said Auburn coach Steve Renfroe. “The game seemed to be one that was high-scoring from that start and he came in and stopped us. After we tied it, they answered and that’s what good teams do.

“They scored in multiple innings…besides Roman being the key, they got big hits when they had to. We had a couple of chances and we didn’t get some two-out hits. That’s part of baseball. We’ve done that to get here. Today they did the job."

With the loss, Auburn falls into the loser’s bracket and must turn right around and play the Jacksonville Dolphins Saturday night. Jacksonville (39-24) defeated Bethune-Cookman 3-0 earlier in the day to move to Saturday’s loser’s bracket final. It took some late heroics for Auburn to defeat Jacksonville in Friday’s opening game.

Batting first in their own ballpark, the Seminoles wasted little time in getting to Dueitt in his first-ever regional appearance. With one out and nobody on base, ACC Player of the Year John-Ford Griffin doubled into the right field corner to get the inning started for Florida State. First baseman Ryan Barthelemy followed him almost to the exact spot with a double of his own that scored Griffin to give the Seminoles the early lead.

Michael Futrell was up next and he delivered, lining one deep into the right field corner himself for a triple that scored Barthelemy to make it 2-0 Florida State. Nick Rogers then floated one just in foul territory down the right field line that Moran made a running catch on. Futrell was running on the catch and Moran gathered himself and threw a strike to the plate only to have Futrell just beat him to the punch, giving Florida State the 3-0 lead.

Auburn would add one run of its own in the bottom half of the inning as a lead-off double by Moran put the Tigers in business. Mailon Kent followed that with a ground ball that just made it through the left side for a single that moved Moran to third. With Gabe Gross at the plate, Auburn didn’t want to run early and take the bat out of the hands of its best power hitter. But with two strikes, they took a chance and bluffed Kent towards second base. Florida State tried to throw short of the bag at second and cut Moran off at the plate, but shortstop Scott Toole dropped the ball and that allowed Moran to score and Kent got back to first safely. The Tigers failed to score Kent and trailed 3-1 after one.

Both Dueitt and Florida State’s starter settled down after the first inning as neither allowed a run in the second or third innings. But in the fourth both teams exploded. First the Seminoles put a three-spot on the board with the big blow coming off the bat of true freshman catcher Tony Richie. After a lead-off single by Nick Rogers, Richie drilled one off the 30-foot high wall in right field for a double that scored Rogers and gave FSU another runner in scoring position. They would push across two more runs before the inning was done and they led 6-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

Just like they have done many other times this year, the Tigers responded with their backs to the wall. Third baseman Scott Schade got things started with a single to right field, his first hit of the series. After a walk to Trent Pratt put runners on first and second, designated hitter Bobby Huddleston drilled a hard single to left field that loaded the bases for Justin Christian.

Christian came through with a single through the left side to score Schade and keep the bases loaded. Jonathan Schuerholz then singled to left as well to score Pratt and move Auburn to within three at 6-3. With Moran at the plate, the Seminoles couldn’t find the range at the plate, first throwing a wild pitch to score Huddleston from third and then a passed ball charged to Richie allowed Kent to score and the game was tied at six after just four innings of play.

Florida State wasn’t finished scoring though as Auburn ran through the bullpen with Sean Jones, Andrew Skinner and Marshall Watts all seeing action. It didn’t seem to help the Tigers as a single run in the fifth, two more in the sixth and another single run in the seventh gave Florida State a 10-6 lead and it would never relinquish it on the way to the victory.

Auburn was paced by Kent, Faulkner and Huddleston, who had two hits each. The Tigers totaled 12 hits in the game but were hurt by three costly errors. Florida State had its production from the 2-6 spots in the batting order. With 12 hits and nine RBI between them, they were the difference as Auburn couldn’t keep them off base.

The Seminoles now await the winner of tonight’s match-up for a noon CDT start on Sunday. The winner of the Auburn-Jacksonville game must defeat the Seminoles twice on Sunday to earn the right to move on to the Super Regional next weekend. But first things are first, Auburn must defeat a tough Jacksonville squad Saturday night for the second time in two days before that’s a concern.

May 26, 2001

Renfroe Says Bullpens The Difference As AU Loses

Pitcher Cory Dueitt throws vs. Seminoles.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tallahassee, Fla.--Florida State (45-17) broke open a 6-6 tie in the fifth inning with a single run and added two more in the sixth and one in the seventh as the Seminoles took a 10-6 win over Auburn (36-20) Saturday to send the Tigers into the loser’s bracket at the NCAA Regional at FSU.

Seminole Reliever Eric Roman was the star of the game, pitching five and one/third innings, allowing just four hits and one unearned run to pick up his fourth win of the season as a crowd of 4,203 watched at Dick Howser Stadium.

Auburn starter Cory Dueitt only lasted three and one/third innings before being pulled in favor of Sean Jones. Dueitt allowed five hits and six earned runs in his shortest outing of the season in a starting role. Jones suffered his first loss of the season. In one and two/thirds innings on the hill, Jones gave up two runs on three hits.

“I thought the story of the game was Roman,” said Auburn coach Steve Renfroe. “The game seemed to be one that was high-scoring from that start and he came in and stopped us. After we tied it, they answered and that’s what good teams do.

“They scored in multiple innings…besides Roman being the key, they got big hits when they had to. We had a couple of chances and we didn’t get some two-out hits. That’s part of baseball. We’ve done that to get here. Today they did the job."

With the loss, Auburn falls into the loser’s bracket and must turn right around and play the Jacksonville Dolphins Saturday night. Jacksonville (39-24) defeated Bethune-Cookman 3-0 earlier in the day to move to Saturday’s loser’s bracket final. It took some late heroics for Auburn to defeat Jacksonville in Friday’s opening game.

Batting first in their own ballpark, the Seminoles wasted little time in getting to Dueitt in his first-ever regional appearance. With one out and nobody on base, ACC Player of the Year John-Ford Griffin doubled into the right field corner to get the inning started for Florida State. First baseman Ryan Barthelemy followed him almost to the exact spot with a double of his own that scored Griffin to give the Seminoles the early lead.

Michael Futrell was up next and he delivered, lining one deep into the right field corner himself for a triple that scored Barthelemy to make it 2-0 Florida State. Nick Rogers then floated one just in foul territory down the right field line that Moran made a running catch on. Futrell was running on the catch and Moran gathered himself and threw a strike to the plate only to have Futrell just beat him to the punch, giving Florida State the 3-0 lead.

Auburn would add one run of its own in the bottom half of the inning as a lead-off double by Moran put the Tigers in business. Mailon Kent followed that with a ground ball that just made it through the left side for a single that moved Moran to third. With Gabe Gross at the plate, Auburn didn’t want to run early and take the bat out of the hands of its best power hitter. But with two strikes, they took a chance and bluffed Kent towards second base. Florida State tried to throw short of the bag at second and cut Moran off at the plate, but shortstop Scott Toole dropped the ball and that allowed Moran to score and Kent got back to first safely. The Tigers failed to score Kent and trailed 3-1 after one.

Both Dueitt and Florida State’s starter settled down after the first inning as neither allowed a run in the second or third innings. But in the fourth both teams exploded. First the Seminoles put a three-spot on the board with the big blow coming off the bat of true freshman catcher Tony Richie. After a lead-off single by Nick Rogers, Richie drilled one off the 30-foot high wall in right field for a double that scored Rogers and gave FSU another runner in scoring position. They would push across two more runs before the inning was done and they led 6-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

Just like they have done many other times this year, the Tigers responded with their backs to the wall. Third baseman Scott Schade got things started with a single to right field, his first hit of the series. After a walk to Trent Pratt put runners on first and second, designated hitter Bobby Huddleston drilled a hard single to left field that loaded the bases for Justin Christian.

Christian came through with a single through the left side to score Schade and keep the bases loaded. Jonathan Schuerholz then singled to left as well to score Pratt and move Auburn to within three at 6-3. With Moran at the plate, the Seminoles couldn’t find the range at the plate, first throwing a wild pitch to score Huddleston from third and then a passed ball charged to Richie allowed Kent to score and the game was tied at six after just four innings of play.

Florida State wasn’t finished scoring though as Auburn ran through the bullpen with Sean Jones, Andrew Skinner and Marshall Watts all seeing action. It didn’t seem to help the Tigers as a single run in the fifth, two more in the sixth and another single run in the seventh gave Florida State a 10-6 lead and it would never relinquish it on the way to the victory.

Auburn was paced by Kent, Faulkner and Huddleston, who had two hits each. The Tigers totaled 12 hits in the game but were hurt by three costly errors. Florida State had its production from the 2-6 spots in the batting order. With 12 hits and nine RBI between them, they were the difference as Auburn couldn’t keep them off base.

The Seminoles now await the winner of tonight’s match-up for a noon CDT start on Sunday. The winner of the Auburn-Jacksonville game must defeat the Seminoles twice on Sunday to earn the right to move on to the Super Regional next weekend. But first things are first, Auburn must defeat a tough Jacksonville squad Saturday night for the second time in two days before that’s a concern.

May 26, 2001

Renfroe Says Bullpens The Story As AU Falls 10-6

Staff Photographer Pitcher Cory Dueitt throws vs. Seminoles.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State (45-17) broke open a 6-6 tie in the fifth inning with a single run and added two more in the sixth and one in the seventh as the Seminoles took a 10-6 win over Auburn (36-20) Saturday to send the Tigers into the loser’s bracket at the NCAA Regional at FSU.

Seminole Reliever Eric Roman was the star of the game, pitching five and one/third innings, allowing just four hits and one unearned run to pick up his fourth win of the season as a crowd of 4,203 watched at Dick Howser Stadium.

Auburn starter Cory Dueitt only lasted three and one/third innings before being pulled in favor of Sean Jones. Dueitt allowed five hits and six earned runs in his shortest outing of the season in a starting role. Jones suffered his first loss of the season. In one and two/thirds innings on the hill, Jones gave up two runs on three hits.

“I thought the story of the game was Roman,” said Auburn coach Steve Renfroe. “The game seemed to be one that was high-scoring from that start and he came in and stopped us. After we tied it, they answered and that’s what good teams do.

“They scored in multiple innings…besides Roman being the key, they got big hits when they had to. We had a couple of chances and we didn’t get some two-out hits. That’s part of baseball. We’ve done that to get here. Today they did the job."

With the loss, Auburn falls into the loser’s bracket and must turn right around and play the Jacksonville Dolphins Saturday night. Jacksonville (39-24) defeated Bethune-Cookman 3-0 earlier in the day to move to Saturday’s loser’s bracket final. It took some late heroics for Auburn to defeat Jacksonville in Friday’s opening game.

Batting first in their own ballpark, the Seminoles wasted little time in getting to Dueitt in his first-ever regional appearance. With one out and nobody on base, ACC Player of the Year John-Ford Griffin doubled into the right field corner to get the inning started for Florida State. First baseman Ryan Barthelemy followed him almost to the exact spot with a double of his own that scored Griffin to give the Seminoles the early lead.

Michael Futrell was up next and he delivered, lining one deep into the right field corner himself for a triple that scored Barthelemy to make it 2-0 Florida State. Nick Rogers then floated one just in foul territory down the right field line that Moran made a running catch on. Futrell was running on the catch and Moran gathered himself and threw a strike to the plate only to have Futrell just beat him to the punch, giving Florida State the 3-0 lead.

Auburn would add one run of its own in the bottom half of the inning as a lead-off double by Moran put the Tigers in business. Mailon Kent followed that with a ground ball that just made it through the left side for a single that moved Moran to third. With Gabe Gross at the plate, Auburn didn’t want to run early and take the bat out of the hands of its best power hitter. But with two strikes, they took a chance and bluffed Kent towards second base. Florida State tried to throw short of the bag at second and cut Moran off at the plate, but shortstop Scott Toole dropped the ball and that allowed Moran to score and Kent got back to first safely. The Tigers failed to score Kent and trailed 3-1 after one.

Both Dueitt and Florida State’s starter settled down after the first inning as neither allowed a run in the second or third innings. But in the fourth both teams exploded. First the Seminoles put a three-spot on the board with the big blow coming off the bat of true freshman catcher Tony Richie. After a lead-off single by Nick Rogers, Richie drilled one off the 30-foot high wall in right field for a double that scored Rogers and gave FSU another runner in scoring position. They would push across two more runs before the inning was done and they led 6-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

Just like they have done many other times this year, the Tigers responded with their backs to the wall. Third baseman Scott Schade got things started with a single to right field, his first hit of the series. After a walk to Trent Pratt put runners on first and second, designated hitter Bobby Huddleston drilled a hard single to left field that loaded the bases for Justin Christian.

Christian came through with a single through the left side to score Schade and keep the bases loaded. Jonathan Schuerholz then singled to left as well to score Pratt and move Auburn to within three at 6-3. With Moran at the plate, the Seminoles couldn’t find the range at the plate, first throwing a wild pitch to score Huddleston from third and then a passed ball charged to Richie allowed Kent to score and the game was tied at six after just four innings of play.

Florida State wasn’t finished scoring though as Auburn ran through the bullpen with Sean Jones, Andrew Skinner and Marshall Watts all seeing action. It didn’t seem to help the Tigers as a single run in the fifth, two more in the sixth and another single run in the seventh gave Florida State a 10-6 lead and it would never relinquish it on the way to the victory.

Auburn was paced by Kent, Faulkner and Huddleston, who had two hits each. The Tigers totaled 12 hits in the game but were hurt by three costly errors. Florida State had its production from the 2-6 spots in the batting order. With 12 hits and nine RBI between them, they were the difference as Auburn couldn’t keep them off base.

The Seminoles now await the winner of tonight’s match-up for a noon CDT start on Sunday. The winner of the Auburn-Jacksonville game must defeat the Seminoles twice on Sunday to earn the right to move on to the Super Regional next weekend. But first things are first, Auburn must defeat a tough Jacksonville squad Saturday night for the second time in two days before that’s a concern.

Box Score

May 26, 2001

Seminoles Outscore Tigers 10-6

Coach Steve Renfroe

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tallahassee, Fla.--Florida State (45-17) broke open a 6-6 tie in the fifth inning with a single run and added two more in the sixth and one in the seventh as the Seminoles took a 10-6 win over Auburn (36-20) Saturday to send the Tigers into the loser’s bracket at the NCAA Regional at FSU.

Seminole Reliever Eric Roman was the star of the game, pitching five and one/third innings, allowing just four hits and one unearned run to pick up his fourth win of the season as a crowd of 4,203 watched at Dick Howser Stadium.

Auburn starter Cory Dueitt only lasted three and one/third innings before being pulled in favor of Sean Jones. Dueitt allowed five hits and six earned runs in his shortest outing of the season in a starting role. Jones suffered his first loss of the season. In one and two/thirds innings on the hill, Jones gave up two runs on three hits.

“I thought the story of the game was Roman,” said Auburn coach Steve Renfroe. “The game seemed to be one that was high-scoring from that start and he came in and stopped us. After we tied it, they answered and that’s what good teams do.

“They scored in multiple innings…besides Roman being the key, they got big hits when they had to. We had a couple of chances and we didn’t get some two-out hits. That’s part of baseball. We’ve done that to get here. Today they did the job."

With the loss, Auburn falls into the loser’s bracket and must turn right around and play the Jacksonville Dolphins Saturday night. Jacksonville (39-24) defeated Bethune-Cookman 3-0 earlier in the day to move to Saturday’s loser’s bracket final. It took some late heroics for Auburn to defeat Jacksonville in Friday’s opening game.

Batting first in their own ballpark, the Seminoles wasted little time in getting to Dueitt in his first-ever regional appearance. With one out and nobody on base, ACC Player of the Year John-Ford Griffin doubled into the right field corner to get the inning started for Florida State. First baseman Ryan Barthelemy followed him almost to the exact spot with a double of his own that scored Griffin to give the Seminoles the early lead.

Michael Futrell was up next and he delivered, lining one deep into the right field corner himself for a triple that scored Barthelemy to make it 2-0 Florida State. Nick Rogers then floated one just in foul territory down the right field line that Moran made a running catch on. Futrell was running on the catch and Moran gathered himself and threw a strike to the plate only to have Futrell just beat him to the punch, giving Florida State the 3-0 lead.

Auburn would add one run of its own in the bottom half of the inning as a lead-off double by Moran put the Tigers in business. Mailon Kent followed that with a ground ball that just made it through the left side for a single that moved Moran to third. With Gabe Gross at the plate, Auburn didn’t want to run early and take the bat out of the hands of its best power hitter. But with two strikes, they took a chance and bluffed Kent towards second base. Florida State tried to throw short of the bag at second and cut Moran off at the plate, but shortstop Scott Toole dropped the ball and that allowed Moran to score and Kent got back to first safely. The Tigers failed to score Kent and trailed 3-1 after one.

Both Dueitt and Florida State’s starter settled down after the first inning as neither allowed a run in the second or third innings. But in the fourth both teams exploded. First the Seminoles put a three-spot on the board with the big blow coming off the bat of true freshman catcher Tony Richie. After a lead-off single by Nick Rogers, Richie drilled one off the 30-foot high wall in right field for a double that scored Rogers and gave FSU another runner in scoring position. They would push across two more runs before the inning was done and they led 6-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

Just like they have done many other times this year, the Tigers responded with their backs to the wall. Third baseman Scott Schade got things started with a single to right field, his first hit of the series. After a walk to Trent Pratt put runners on first and second, designated hitter Bobby Huddleston drilled a hard single to left field that loaded the bases for Justin Christian.

Christian came through with a single through the left side to score Schade and keep the bases loaded. Jonathan Schuerholz then singled to left as well to score Pratt and move Auburn to within three at 6-3. With Moran at the plate, the Seminoles couldn’t find the range at the plate, first throwing a wild pitch to score Huddleston from third and then a passed ball charged to Richie allowed Kent to score and the game was tied at six after just four innings of play.

Florida State wasn’t finished scoring though as Auburn ran through the bullpen with Sean Jones, Andrew Skinner and Marshall Watts all seeing action. It didn’t seem to help the Tigers as a single run in the fifth, two more in the sixth and another single run in the seventh gave Florida State a 10-6 lead and it would never relinquish it on the way to the victory.

Auburn was paced by Kent, Faulkner and Huddleston, who had two hits each. The Tigers totaled 12 hits in the game but were hurt by three costly errors. Florida State had its production from the 2-6 spots in the batting order. With 12 hits and nine RBI between them, they were the difference as Auburn couldn’t keep them off base.

The Seminoles now await the winner of tonight’s match-up for a noon CDT start on Sunday. The winner of the Auburn-Jacksonville game must defeat the Seminoles twice on Sunday to earn the right to move on to the Super Regional next weekend. But first things are first, Auburn must defeat a tough Jacksonville squad Saturday night for the second time in two days before that’s a concern.

May 27, 2001

Seminoles Rally To End AU's Season

Jason Caldwell-Inside the Auburn Tigers Pitcher Brandon Luna throws vs. FSU on Sunday.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Junior Brandon Luna gave the Tigers the outing they had been hoping for Sunday but it wasn’t enough to fight off elimination as the Florida State Seminoles (46-17) scored three runs in the sixth and four more in the eighth inning as they defeated Auburn 9-6 to advance to next weekend’s Super Regional round of play.

In his longest outing of the season, Luna pitched five innings and allowed 10 hits but only four earned runs as the worn-out Tiger bullpen couldn’t contain the FSU bats down the stretch.

Auburn’s season ends for the third time in four years with a trip to Tallahassee, this time with a 37-21 record. With more ups and downs than your average rollercoaster, this season turned out to be one of the more trying in recent memory. Never giving in all season, this Auburn team fought to the bitter end on Sunday and had a chance to tie the game all the way to the final at-bat.

Trailing 9-6 going to the ninth, the Tigers were in dire straits as the screaming Seminole crowd of 3,826 was up on their feet making lots of noise. FSU reliever Daniel Hodges was in the game and had shut down the Auburn bats to that point but the Cardiac Kids would give it one more shot. With two outs and nobody on, Scott Schade evoked memories of Baton Rouge with a double down the line to quiet the crowd just a little. They got real quiet as Trent Pratt singled to center to give the Tigers the tying run at the plate in the form of pinch-hitter Bobby Huddleston.

The Seminoles then wasted little time in going to their closer Justin Lord. With 10 saves on the season and a impressive repertoire of pitches, Lord was the perfect guy to have on the mound at this time of the game. It almost didn’t matter as Huddleston chopped a slow-roller down the third base line that Chris Hart fielded bare-handed on the dead run. Not taking time to set himself before throwing, Hart threw a strike to first that beat Huddleston by a half-step and the Tigers’ season was complete. But not before these Tigers answered the bell time and time again this season when their backs were to the wall.

“It was a tough day, very emotional,” Auburn coach Steve Renfroe said after Sunday’s loss. “We’ve been through a lot together. They were a great club and I think it came down to we just ran out of gas a little bit. We battled and had chances, they made a few pitches when they had to, they got a big base hit. We were out there gutting it out, but this is a great club (Florida State)…they are well-coached.

“I thought it was classic,” Renfroe said of the game. “You’re down. There’s emotion. You see kids fighting and clawing, that’s what it’s supposed to be. They were the one seed for good reason. They deserved it. We fought our way into it and I think we were just a little less left in the tank with our staff at the end.”

Trailing 4-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth inning, Florida State had been unable to get anything going consistently against Luna. That all changed in the sixth, helped along by an Auburn error. Tony Richie started the rally with an infield single just off the glove of Schade. Chris Hart was up next and he walked to give the Seminoles two on with nobody out. Richie Smith then attempted to bunt the runners over, but Schade threw high to Justin Christian covering first base and the bases were loaded.

Number nine hitter Jeff Probst came through for the Seminoles with a double down the right field line scoring both Richie and Hart. That signaled the end of Luna’s day and Friday’s starter, Levale Speigner, would come into the game in only his second relief appearance this season. The Thomasville, Ga., native would quickly get three ground balls to end the inning and the Seminoles were able to only plate three runs in the inning to take the 5-4 lead, but it could have been much worse.

Auburn came back in the top of the eighth inning to take the lead as a lead-off double by Trent Pratt and a walk to Hayden Gliemmo led to two runs by the Tigers in the inning as an infield single by Jonathan Schuerholz and a line-drive single by Javon Moran scored both runners. That gave Auburn a 6-5 lead going to the bottom half of the inning. That’s when fatigue would set in on the pitching staff.

Needing to hold the Seminole hitters at bay, Speigner just couldn’t get the job done. Smith was up first and he got a pitch he liked and drilled it over the right field wall for a home run that tied the game at six. Probst was up next and doubled once again to end Speigner’s day and bring Eric Brandon into the game. He got the first out on his own as Scott Toole attempted to bunt the runners over only to pop it up just short of the mound. Getting a great jump on the ball, Brandon made a diving catch for our one, grabbing it just before it hit the ground.

That brought John-Ford Griffin to the plate. The Regional’s Most Outstanding Player, Griffin came through in the clutch with a double off the right field wall that scored Probst to put the Seminoles ahead. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Michael Futrell hit a slow ground ball to third. Waiting on the ball just behind the bag, Schade never got a chance to field it as it hit the bag and bounced over his head for a double that scored Griffin. Another intentional walk and a sacrifice fly later, Florida State had all the runs it would need.

“I think this was one that one bounce here or there early and we might get a cushion,” Renfroe said. “Again we fought back from behind and we’ve done that all year. There we were in the ninth, one swing away from doing it again.”

Both teams got into the scoring column early, making this one look like it would be a scoring-fest on this hot Florida day. For the Tigers Moran got things started by getting hit by a pitch from the arm of Read. Kent followed with a single to center field that moved Moran to second base. Following a double-play groundout by Gross, Faulkner delivered a single to center that scored the speedy freshman from third with the game’s first run.

Florida State’s run came the way so many have this weekend, with a start by Griffin. The ACC Player of the Year singled to right field and Ryan Barthelemy followed with a single of his own just past a diving Christian at second. Futrell then reached first on a bunt single to load the bases with only one out. Rodgers grounded to Schade at third who threw to Christian at second for the force to retire Futrell. In the process Griffin would score to tie the game. Richie made the final out of the inning on a groundout to Schade and the game was tied at one.

That score would hold until the top of the third inning when Faulkner would strike again. With two outs and nobody on Gross doubled off the wall in right field to give Auburn some life. That would bring Faulkner to the plate. With a history of hitting well in this ballpark, Faulkner drilled one deep to center field. FSU’s Richie looked as if he would run the ball down, but just as he reached up for the ball it went over the wall and he crashed into the green padding with nothing but leather in his glove. With that blast Auburn had the 3-1 lead. The lead would eventually move to 4-2 before Florida State would make one of its patented runs to take the lead.

“I had been ahead on two sliders before and I tried to wait back,” Faulkner said. “He hung that one. He had been locating pretty well but that was his only mistake.”

Auburn would have its chances to extend the lead though, particularly in the fourth inning. With Gliemmo on first with no outs, Christian attempted to sacrifice him to second only to leave it to close to the FSU pitcher, allowing him the force at second. After a Schuerholz fly ball to center field for the second out of the inning, Moran singled to center field and Kent reached on an error by Hart at third base to load the bases for Gross.

It had been feast or famine for Gross all weekend and this at-bat would be no different in a situation that could have blown this game wide open for Auburn. Fouling off pitches from Seminole starter Read, Gross finally got the one he was looking for and lifted it high and deep to right field. Without a breath of wind to speak of, the ball kept floating and appeared it could get out of the yard. But it wasn’t to be for Gross or the Tigers as the right fielder Rodgers caught the ball with his back to the wall to end the threat.

“You never know with the short porch in right whether or not it’s going to hit the fence,” Gross said. “I knew I didn’t hit it out. I knew I didn’t get the bat head out enough to do that. I just kept my eye on the outfielder and he kept drifting back. I thought it might have a shot but he made a good play on the ball.”

Faulkner led the way for Auburn with three hits and three RBI while Moran and Pratt added two hits each. Barthelemy and Futrell paced FSU with three hits each while Griffin, Richie, Smith and Probst added two apiece on a day when the Seminoles totaled 15 hits against Auburn pitching.

Auburn now says goodbye to three special seniors in Kent, Faulkner and Gliemmo. AU also will likely bid adieu to Gross, a junior. Expected to be one of the top picks when the Major League Amateur Baseball Draft begins June 5th, the Dothan native will likely be playing pro baseball before the summer is out. Those departures will be sorely missed when the Tigers begin play next spring in Renfroe’s second year at the helm.

Box Score

Other Regionals

AU Game One Article

Game Two Article

Game Three Article

May 28, 2001

Impact Players Moving On

Jason Caldwell-Inside the Auburn Tigers Todd Faulkner led Auburn at the plate vs. FSU.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For many Auburn baseball fans it was a day they had been dreading. With the 9-6 loss to Florida State at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, the collegiate playing days of several Tiger stars came to an end.

For seniors Mailon Kent, Todd Faulkner and Hayden Gliemmo, the loss to FSU in the NCAA sub-region was definitely their last game in an Auburn uniform and how fitting that it ended in Tallahassee, where so many other former stars staged their final showing as a Tiger.

There is also a strong possibility that junior Gabe Gross has played his final game for Coach Steve Renfroe and Auburn. Expected to be a high draft choice in next month’s Major League Baseball draft, Gross will likely forego his senior season in favor of playing professional baseball. If that’s the case, the losses from this team will be felt far and wide not only at Auburn but in the entire SEC when next baseball season rolls around.

The senior class compiled a 169-79 record in its four years as Tigers with a 66-54 mark in league play. The seniors played in NCAA Regionals every season and were a part of an SEC Tournament championship team in 1998 and a regional championship team in 1999. To go along with the team statistics, these Tigers also racked up an impressive portfolio of individual numbers.

A quarterback from Mountain Brook High School who also played a little baseball, Kent leaves Auburn as the career leader in stolen bases and runs scored and is in the top 10 in at-bats, games played, hits, RBI, singles, doubles, extra-base hits and total bases. He finished his career second all-time in hits and earlier this season became only the 13th player in SEC history to go over the 300-hit mark for a career. He also will be remembered as one of the best defensive center fielders in Tiger history, making the position look very easy during his time roaming the grass at Plainsman Park.

“It seems like yesterday I was sitting here at Georgia Tech not knowing if I was going to come back or not,” an emotional Kent said after the loss to Florida State. The 2000 season ended in the sub-regional round on Tech’s home field in Atlanta. “No matter what happened, I didn’t regret coming back at all. It was a great year and we were a great ball club that showed a lot to come back from an 0-9 (SEC) start. It’s been fun playing for Coach (Steve) Renfroe. I’m really going to miss playing for him and I think he knows that.”

If any player could harbor regrets about coming back for a senior season, it would be Faulkner, but that’s not the kind of person or player he is. Just starting to swing the bat like old times at the end of the season, Faulkner likely would have smashed just about every power record in the book had he been healthy for his senior season.

Also a statistical demon in the record books, Faulkner finished as the leader in total bases, extra-base hits and doubles. He also finished second in home runs and runs batted in while cracking the top 10 in at-bats, runs, hits, singles and hit-by-pitches. Just like his teammate Kent, Faulkner topped the 300-hit mark and was the 14th player in league history to do so. His total of 50 home runs is one better than Frank Thomas’ total and nine off the mark set by Josh Etheredge. Considering he hit just two as a senior after blasting 22 as a junior, it’s a safe bet that record would have fallen by the wayside had he been healthy. Either way, the Powder Springs, Ga., native said he is more disappointed in the season outcome than any personal goals. “It’s been a fun ride,” Faulkner said. “It’s frustrating to come down here again and lose. We’ve got a great club and been through a lot this year. It’s just frustrating.”

Frustrating is the one word that comes to mind when you speak of the career of Gliemmo. On his way to becoming one of the most successful pitchers in Auburn history, the Moultrie, Ga., product had arm problems as both a junior and senior that caused him to miss almost a full season’s worth of games. Still the less than imposing lefty did his share of damage in the record books.

Second in games started with 63, third in wins with 37, seventh in winning percentage at .755, third in innings pitched with 359 and fourth in strikeouts with 290, Gliemmo will go down as one of the best in Tiger history but you will always think about what could have been. With 26 wins his first two seasons, Gliemmo was well on his way to smashing the school record of 43 wins held by John Powell. Also a solid right fielder, Gliemmo finished his career with a batting average of better than .300 with 87 runs batted in.

While the seniors know their fate, Gross must now sit and wait to determine his future. He can do that with a clear conscience knowing he did all he could as a student-athlete at Auburn. Coming to the Plains on a football scholarship, Gross took over the reigns as the starting quarterback as a true freshman in 1998 and seemed to have a solid future ahead of him in the sport.

However, when he hit the baseball diamond that spring, it was plain to see that he could soon be a one-sport athlete instead of two. Hitting .363 with seven home runs and 65 runs batted in, the Dothan native took the league by storm as he smoothly made the transition to major college baseball. After becoming a baseball-only player as a sophomore, he made even bigger strides when he earned All-America honors with a .430 batting average to go along with 13 home runs and 86 runs batted in. Although he suffered a drop-off as a junior, Gross is still high on just about every offensive list in the Auburn record book, just like his two cohorts, Kent and Faulkner.

In just three years of action, Gross is currently in the top 10 in eight offensive categories. Among those are runs batted in (4th), doubles (2nd), home runs (5th), extra-base hits (3rd), total bases (5th) and base on balls (3rd). Add to that the fact that Gross turned himself into one of the best defensive outfielders in Auburn history and you get one of the top total players ever to lace up the spikes as a Tiger.

“If this is the last game I play for Auburn, I don’t know what to say,” Gross said. “I’ve enjoyed it. It has been the best three years of my life. I’m going to miss playing with Todd, Mailon, Giz (Hayden Gliemmo) and the rest of the guys on this ball club. We had a great team this year. The stuff we overcame was unbelievable.”

Gross became emotional when he talked about what “Auburn people” mean to him and his teammates. “If this is the last game for all of us I can certainly say we love everybody from Auburn and they’ve been something special for us.”

May 29, 2001

Track Teams Ready For Nationals

Gabor Mate

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn men’s and women’s track teams will be well represented in Eugene, Oregon this week as the NCAA Championships kick off at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.

Eight competitors pave the way for the seventh-ranked men’s team while six AU women qualified for the meet. There are several record-holders in the group and if the conditions are right, both teams could have one of their better finishes ever in the event. Last season the men finished third, for their best ever finish, while the women tied for 45th overall with just one scoring event in the meet.

“We have some solid competitors here at the championships,” said Auburn coach Ralph Spry. “Getting here is a great accomplishment and doing well is icing on the cake. We have some strong contenders on both the men’s and women’s side and should have a solid meet.”

In the men’s competition, the tandem of Avard Moncur and Gabor Mate give the Tigers a one-two punch in what could be two individual championships this week. Moncur, the defending 400-meter NCAA champion, won both the indoor and outdoor titles in the SEC this year in the 400 and owns the fastest time in the country this season in the event with a 44.78. He looks to become the first repeat NCAA champion in a running event for Auburn since Harvey Glance won the 100-meter dash in both 1976 and 1977.

Mate is the top dog in his event heading into this week’s competition. The two-time defending NCAA champion and three-time SEC champion in the discus, Mate will be the thrower everyone is shooting for this week in the Great Northwest. With the best throw in the country this season of 207 feet, six inches, Mate is looking to score big for the Tigers as they try for their first ever NCAA Track and Field Championship. Like Moncur, Mate is also trying to establish some history in the process. With a victory in the discus this week, the junior from Hungary would also be the first three-time NCAA champion for the same event in Auburn history.

Also expected to contribute towards the team total this week for the men is the 4x400-meter relay team of Harland Moore, Shameron Turner, Sanjay Ayreand Moncur with Tim Green running as an alternate. The second-ranked team in the country heading into the championships, the quartet broke the school record earlier in the season by running a 3:01.92 in the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., back on April 14. If all three events come out in favor of the Tigers, they could challenge Stanford, LSU, TCU and SEC champion Tennessee for the top spot when the final gun sounds Saturday.

Other participants on the men’s side include Reedus Thurmond, runner-up to Mate at last month’s SEC Outdoor Championships in the discus, and Moses Gathuka, who turned in the second-fastest 800-meter run in school history at the same event when he ran a time of 1:48.20. Thurmond is a three-time All-SEC performer and a two-time All-American while Gathuka earned All-SEC honors for the first time this year with a fifth place showing at the league championships in Columbia, S.C.

While the women aren’t expected to place as high as the men’s team, they could still give a very solid performance led by two-time All-American Shelly-Ann Gallimore. The 2001 SEC triple jump champion and fourth-place finisher in last year’s NCAA Championships, Gallimore owns the second-best jump in the nation this season with a distance of 43 feet, 10 1/2 inches recorded at the Texas Relays. Her effort of 43-11 1/4 in last year’s NCAA Championships was good enough for a runner-up finish as that performance solidified her choice as 2000 SEC Indoor and Outdoor Freshman of the Year.

The only other individual performer on the women’s side for the Tigers in Oregon is junior Natalee Sterling. The school record holder in the 400-meter hurdles with a 57.25 time at the Georgia Tech Invitational, Sterling broke the old record by .06 seconds as that effort qualified her for the NCAA Championships.

The Tigers will also have a relay team in the meet as the eighth-ranked women’s 4x100 relay team that features Timicka Clark, Sarah Patterson, Sashanie Simpson, Bianca Willis and Sterling earned the right to compete by virtue of a 44.16 clocking at the Texas Relays. The AU relay finished fourth at the SEC Championships with a 44.19 in the event.

The action gets underway on Wednesday as Guthuka runs his preliminary race in the only action for the men. On the women’s side, all but Gallimore will be in action as day one is big for the women to get off to a good start if they hope to be in the hunt for a strong finish on Saturday.

May 30, 2001

Impact Players Moving On

Jason Caldwell-Inside the Auburn Tigers Todd Faulkner led Auburn at the plate vs. FSU.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For many Auburn baseball fans it was a day they had been dreading. With the 9-6 loss to Florida State at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, the collegiate playing days of several Tiger stars came to an end.

For seniors Mailon Kent, Todd Faulkner and Hayden Gliemmo, the loss to FSU in the NCAA sub-region was definitely their last game in an Auburn uniform and how fitting that it ended in Tallahassee, where so many other former stars staged their final showing as a Tiger.

There is also a strong possibility that junior Gabe Gross has played his final game for Coach Steve Renfroe and Auburn. Expected to be a high draft choice in next month’s Major League Baseball draft, Gross will likely forego his senior season in favor of playing professional baseball. If that’s the case, the losses from this team will be felt far and wide not only at Auburn but in the entire SEC when next baseball season rolls around.

The senior class compiled a 169-79 record in its four years as Tigers with a 66-54 mark in league play. The seniors played in NCAA Regionals every season and were a part of an SEC Tournament championship team in 1998 and a regional championship team in 1999. To go along with the team statistics, these Tigers also racked up an impressive portfolio of individual numbers.

A quarterback from Mountain Brook High School who also played a little baseball, Kent leaves Auburn as the career leader in stolen bases and runs scored and is in the top 10 in at-bats, games played, hits, RBI, singles, doubles, extra-base hits and total bases. He finished his career second all-time in hits and earlier this season became only the 13th player in SEC history to go over the 300-hit mark for a career. He also will be remembered as one of the best defensive center fielders in Tiger history, making the position look very easy during his time roaming the grass at Plainsman Park.

“It seems like yesterday I was sitting here at Georgia Tech not knowing if I was going to come back or not,” an emotional Kent said after the loss to Florida State. The 2000 season ended in the sub-regional round on Tech’s home field in Atlanta. “No matter what happened, I didn’t regret coming back at all. It was a great year and we were a great ball club that showed a lot to come back from an 0-9 (SEC) start. It’s been fun playing for Coach (Steve) Renfroe. I’m really going to miss playing for him and I think he knows that.”

If any player could harbor regrets about coming back for a senior season, it would be Faulkner, but that’s not the kind of person or player he is. Just starting to swing the bat like old times at the end of the season, Faulkner likely would have smashed just about every power record in the book had he been healthy for his senior season.

Also a statistical demon in the record books, Faulkner finished as the leader in total bases, extra-base hits and doubles. He also finished second in home runs and runs batted in while cracking the top 10 in at-bats, runs, hits, singles and hit-by-pitches. Just like his teammate Kent, Faulkner topped the 300-hit mark and was the 14th player in league history to do so. His total of 50 home runs is one better than Frank Thomas’ total and nine off the mark set by Josh Etheredge. Considering he hit just two as a senior after blasting 22 as a junior, it’s a safe bet that record would have fallen by the wayside had he been healthy. Either way, the Powder Springs, Ga., native said he is more disappointed in the season outcome than any personal goals. “It’s been a fun ride,” Faulkner said. “It’s frustrating to come down here again and lose. We’ve got a great club and been through a lot this year. It’s just frustrating.”

Frustrating is the one word that comes to mind when you speak of the career of Gliemmo. On his way to becoming one of the most successful pitchers in Auburn history, the Moultrie, Ga., product had arm problems as both a junior and senior that caused him to miss almost a full season’s worth of games. Still the less than imposing lefty did his share of damage in the record books.

Second in games started with 63, third in wins with 37, seventh in winning percentage at .755, third in innings pitched with 359 and fourth in strikeouts with 290, Gliemmo will go down as one of the best in Tiger history but you will always think about what could have been. With 26 wins his first two seasons, Gliemmo was well on his way to smashing the school record of 43 wins held by John Powell. Also a solid right fielder, Gliemmo finished his career with a batting average of better than .300 with 87 runs batted in.

While the seniors know their fate, Gross must now sit and wait to determine his future. He can do that with a clear conscience knowing he did all he could as a student-athlete at Auburn. Coming to the Plains on a football scholarship, Gross took over the reigns as the starting quarterback as a true freshman in 1998 and seemed to have a solid future ahead of him in the sport.

However, when he hit the baseball diamond that spring, it was plain to see that he could soon be a one-sport athlete instead of two. Hitting .363 with seven home runs and 65 runs batted in, the Dothan native took the league by storm as he smoothly made the transition to major college baseball. After becoming a baseball-only player as a sophomore, he made even bigger strides when he earned All-America honors with a .430 batting average to go along with 13 home runs and 86 runs batted in. Although he suffered a drop-off as a junior, Gross is still high on just about every offensive list in the Auburn record book, just like his two cohorts, Kent and Faulkner.

In just three years of action, Gross is currently in the top 10 in eight offensive categories. Among those are runs batted in (4th), doubles (2nd), home runs (5th), extra-base hits (3rd), total bases (5th) and base on balls (3rd). Add to that the fact that Gross turned himself into one of the best defensive outfielders in Auburn history and you get one of the top total players ever to lace up the spikes as a Tiger.

“If this is the last game I play for Auburn, I don’t know what to say,” Gross said. “I’ve enjoyed it. It has been the best three years of my life. I’m going to miss playing with Todd, Mailon, Giz (Hayden Gliemmo) and the rest of the guys on this ball club. We had a great team this year. The stuff we overcame was unbelievable.”

Gross became emotional when he talked about what “Auburn people” mean to him and his teammates. “If this is the last game for all of us I can certainly say we love everybody from Auburn and they’ve been something special for us.”

May 30, 2001

Impact Players Moving On For Baseball Tigers

Jason Caldwell-Inside the Auburn Tigers Todd Faulkner led Auburn at the plate vs. FSU.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For many Auburn baseball fans it was a day they had been dreading. With the 9-6 loss to Florida State at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, the collegiate playing days of several Tiger stars came to an end.

For seniors Mailon Kent, Todd Faulkner and Hayden Gliemmo, the loss to FSU in the NCAA sub-region was definitely their last game in an Auburn uniform and how fitting that it ended in Tallahassee, where so many other former stars staged their final showing as a Tiger.

There is also a strong possibility that junior Gabe Gross has played his final game for Coach Steve Renfroe and Auburn. Expected to be a high draft choice in next month’s Major League Baseball draft, Gross will likely forego his senior season in favor of playing professional baseball. If that’s the case, the losses from this team will be felt far and wide not only at Auburn but in the entire SEC when next baseball season rolls around.

The senior class compiled a 169-79 record in its four years as Tigers with a 66-54 mark in league play. The seniors played in NCAA Regionals every season and were a part of an SEC Tournament championship team in 1998 and a regional championship team in 1999. To go along with the team statistics, these Tigers also racked up an impressive portfolio of individual numbers.

A quarterback from Mountain Brook High School who also played a little baseball, Kent leaves Auburn as the career leader in stolen bases and runs scored and is in the top 10 in at-bats, games played, hits, RBI, singles, doubles, extra-base hits and total bases. He finished his career second all-time in hits and earlier this season became only the 13th player in SEC history to go over the 300-hit mark for a career. He also will be remembered as one of the best defensive center fielders in Tiger history, making the position look very easy during his time roaming the grass at Plainsman Park.

“It seems like yesterday I was sitting here at Georgia Tech not knowing if I was going to come back or not,” an emotional Kent said after the loss to Florida State. The 2000 season ended in the sub-regional round on Tech’s home field in Atlanta. “No matter what happened, I didn’t regret coming back at all. It was a great year and we were a great ball club that showed a lot to come back from an 0-9 (SEC) start. It’s been fun playing for Coach (Steve) Renfroe. I’m really going to miss playing for him and I think he knows that.”

If any player could harbor regrets about coming back for a senior season, it would be Faulkner, but that’s not the kind of person or player he is. Just starting to swing the bat like old times at the end of the season, Faulkner likely would have smashed just about every power record in the book had he been healthy for his senior season.

Also a statistical demon in the record books, Faulkner finished as the leader in total bases, extra-base hits and doubles. He also finished second in home runs and runs batted in while cracking the top 10 in at-bats, runs, hits, singles and hit-by-pitches. Just like his teammate Kent, Faulkner topped the 300-hit mark and was the 14th player in league history to do so. His total of 50 home runs is one better than Frank Thomas’ total and nine off the mark set by Josh Etheredge. Considering he hit just two as a senior after blasting 22 as a junior, it’s a safe bet that record would have fallen by the wayside had he been healthy. Either way, the Powder Springs, Ga., native said he is more disappointed in the season outcome than any personal goals. “It’s been a fun ride,” Faulkner said. “It’s frustrating to come down here again and lose. We’ve got a great club and been through a lot this year. It’s just frustrating.”

Frustrating is the one word that comes to mind when you speak of the career of Gliemmo. On his way to becoming one of the most successful pitchers in Auburn history, the Moultrie, Ga., product had arm problems as both a junior and senior that caused him to miss almost a full season’s worth of games. Still the less than imposing lefty did his share of damage in the record books.

Second in games started with 63, third in wins with 37, seventh in winning percentage at .755, third in innings pitched with 359 and fourth in strikeouts with 290, Gliemmo will go down as one of the best in Tiger history but you will always think about what could have been. With 26 wins his first two seasons, Gliemmo was well on his way to smashing the school record of 43 wins held by John Powell. Also a solid right fielder, Gliemmo finished his career with a batting average of better than .300 with 87 runs batted in.

While the seniors know their fate, Gross must now sit and wait to determine his future. He can do that with a clear conscience knowing he did all he could as a student-athlete at Auburn. Coming to the Plains on a football scholarship, Gross took over the reigns as the starting quarterback as a true freshman in 1998 and seemed to have a solid future ahead of him in the sport.

However, when he hit the baseball diamond that spring, it was plain to see that he could soon be a one-sport athlete instead of two. Hitting .363 with seven home runs and 65 runs batted in, the Dothan native took the league by storm as he smoothly made the transition to major college baseball. After becoming a baseball-only player as a sophomore, he made even bigger strides when he earned All-America honors with a .430 batting average to go along with 13 home runs and 86 runs batted in. Although he suffered a drop-off as a junior, Gross is still high on just about every offensive list in the Auburn record book, just like his two cohorts, Kent and Faulkner.

In just three years of action, Gross is currently in the top 10 in eight offensive categories. Among those are runs batted in (4th), doubles (2nd), home runs (5th), extra-base hits (3rd), total bases (5th) and base on balls (3rd). Add to that the fact that Gross turned himself into one of the best defensive outfielders in Auburn history and you get one of the top total players ever to lace up the spikes as a Tiger.

“If this is the last game I play for Auburn, I don’t know what to say,” Gross said. “I’ve enjoyed it. It has been the best three years of my life. I’m going to miss playing with Todd, Mailon, Giz (Hayden Gliemmo) and the rest of the guys on this ball club. We had a great team this year. The stuff we overcame was unbelievable.”

Gross became emotional when he talked about what “Auburn people” mean to him and his teammates. “If this is the last game for all of us I can certainly say we love everybody from Auburn and they’ve been something special for us.”

May 30, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

May 30, 2001

Excited Tigers: Golfers Making School History

Diana Ramage

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. -- Auburn sophomore Celeste Troche and freshman Diana Ramage will make AU women’s golf history on Thursday by becoming the first Tigers to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open as members of the AU golf team.

Troche is the 2000-2001 SEC Player of the Year. Ramage is the SEC Freshman of the Year. They helped Auburn take fourth at last week’s NCAA Championships, the highest finish ever for the AU women’s golf team.

The 56th United States Women’s Open is being played at the par 70, 6,256-yard Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club.

ESPN will provide television coverage of the Open on Thursday and Friday from 2-6 p.m. CDT while NBC will air it Saturday from 2-5 p.m. Central and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

Ramage, who is from Fayetteville, Ga., who qualified with a three-under-par 69 in Nashville, Tenn., earlier this month, tees off with professionals Amy Langhals of Kalida, Ohio, and Angela Buzminski of Canada.

“I am really excited,” said Ramage. “It was awesome. I was so nervous yesterday (in the first of two practice rounds). Celeste and I played with (1998 U.S. Open Champion) Se Ri Pak and Lorie Kane (eighth on this year’s money list) on the front nine. My short game is good, and I am now comfortable with the greens. The rough is real thick.

“I am real excited and kind of nervous. I felt like I belonged out there today. I am having a blast. It is awesome. It is a different world. It is unbelievable. It is just like a dream. I was in a daze the whole first day I was there. There are already a ton of people out here, and it is only the practice round. I have given so many autographs.”

Teammate Courtney Swaim is caddying for Ramage and another teammate, Danielle Downey, is carrying a cooler with insulin for Ramage, who is diabetic. Ramage receives insulin shots on the course and had visit the emergency room at midnight during last week’s NCAA Championship to treat dehydration. She did not get to sleep until 4:15 a.m. After two hours of sleep, she woke up to shoot an three-under=par 69 in third round.

Troche, a native of Asuncion, Paraguay, who attended Springwood School in Lanett, Ala., qualified for the U.S. Open by holing a 9-wood from 175 yards out in a playoff with 13 professionals. She opens first round play with pros Susan Redman of Spanish Fort, Ala., and Stacy Orschell of Connersville, Ind. Only the second first-team All-American in Auburn history, Troche shattered the school single-season record by two strokes with a 72.45 stroke average.

Troche’s father, Hugo, is caddying for her. “It is very exciting playing with all these good players you see on television,” Troche said. “It felt great and when I was looking for my locker. I started seeing all these great names (on the lockers). The whole feeling of the U.S. Open is exciting and I cannot wait.”

“The greens are really fast and are hilly,” Troche added. “Everything drops to the bunkers around the green. The course is long, it is kind of wet and it is not rolling much.”

The 150-player field will be cut after the first two rounds to the low 60 and ties. Anyone within 10 shots of the leader will also make the cut. Auburn coach Kim Evans is at the tournament for advice and support.

May 30, 2001

Relay Qualifies For Finals At NCAA Championships

EUGENE, Ore. -- The Auburn women’s 4x100-meter relay team qualified for the finals on the opening day of the NCAA Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon campus on Wednesday.

Auburn qualified sixth with a time of 44.16 to advance to Friday’s finals with seven other teams. Timicka Clarke, Natalee Sterling, Saran Patterson and Sashanie Simpson were ranked 13th in the event coming into the championships.

Ralph Spry, head coach of the women’s and men’s teams, was pleased with their performance. “The relay was big for us,” he said. “I felt confident they would get to the finals. They have run consistently all year and now we have a good shot because anything can happen in the finals.”

The other women’s event featuring an Auburn athlete on Wednesday was the 400-meter hurdles. Sterling ran a time of 1:00.24 for 19th and did not qualify for the finals.

There wasn’t much activity for the AU men. Senior Moses Gathuka finished fifth in his semi-final heat of the 800-meters and did not advance to the finals even though he ran a time of 1:48.62, his second fastest this season.

Senior Avard Moncur, Auburn’s star runner, makes his NCAA debut on Thursday in the prelims for the 400 meters and the 4x400 relay. He is the defending NCAA champion in the 400. Two-time NCAA champion discus thrower Gabor Mate will compete on Friday.

May 31, 2001

Playing With the Pros

Celeste Troche

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. -- While the day didn’t go quite as expected for the two, Auburn golfers Celeste Troche and Diana Ramage each shot identical 10-over-par 80s in the first round of the United States Women's Open Thursday at the par-70, 6,256-yard Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club .

Well back in the field of 150 golfers, both will have to improve their scores dramatically if they hope to play the weekend in the premier tournament on the USGA women’s schedule this year.

Troche, who started her round on the back nine, got off to a solid start with pars on her first three holes before bogeying holes 13-16 and double-bogeying the 429-yard par-4 17th for an opening nine hole score of six-over 41. On the front, her inward nine, she made six pars, a double-bogey at number two and bogeys at number four and number five en route to a four-over 39. She parred the final four holes of her round to finish at 10-over.

The Asuncion, Paraguay native drove the ball well, hitting 11-of-14 fairways, but, she couldn’t capitalize from that point on by hitting just 7-of-18 greens in regulation. Playing greens that are very fast and crowned in the old-style of course architecture made famous by Donald Ross, she had 33 putts for the round and was two-over par on par-3s, eight-over on par-4s and even on par-5s.

"The course was playing really different today than from the practice round," Troche said. "The greens were a lot harder and I didn't get a good feeling for my short game. I putted well, but didn't chip too well. I'll go have fun tomorrow and play my game and see what happens."

Ramage shot identical five-over 40s on the front and back with bogeys at holes 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 15 through 18. The Fayetteville, Ga., native hit 8-of-14 fairways but only 2-of-18 greens in regulation. The rising sophomore had only 29 putts for the round, going one-over on par-3s, eight-over on par-4s and one-over on par-5s.

"It was fun and it was an experience," Ramage said. "I'll never forget it. I'm disappointed in the way I played, but I putted very well. I didn't miss a putt inside eight feet. I got up and down 70 percent of the time. The rough is so thick and it was wet this morning. It is amazing. You wouldn't believe it. The greens are as fast as the kitchen floor. I'm going to go out and have a ball tomorrow."

Ramage will tee off in Friday's second round at the 10th tee with Amy Langhals (78) and Angela Buzminski (74) at noon Central while Troche goes off the No. 1 tee at 1:10 p.m. with Susan Redman (80) and Stacy Orschell (79). The 150-player field will be cut to the low 60 and ties after Friday's second round. Anyone within 10 shots of the leader will also make the cut. ESPN will provide television coverage of the Open Friday from 2-6 p.m. CDT time while NBC will air it Saturday from 2-5 p.m. Central and Sunday from 1-4 p.m .Central.  

May 31, 2001

Moncur A Blur At NCAA Track Meet

File Photo Avard Moncur

EUGENE, Ore. -- Defending NCAA champion Avard Moncur qualified for the finals of the 400 meters on Thursday at the NCAA Championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.

The 2000 Olympian ran a 45.06 to win his heat in the fastest qualifying time for the event. The finals, which feature seven other runners, are set for Saturday.

Moncur also helped Auburn’s 4x400-meter relay team advance to the finals in that event. Harland Moore, Tim Green, Shameron Turner and Moncur won their heat in 3:02.30, the second fastest time of the semi-finals. Moncur had the fastest split for the Tigers with a 44.3 seconds and Green was next in 45.7.

“Today set the stage for us,” Auburn coach Ralph Spry said Thursday night. “We did what we need to do by getting into the finals in each event and getting a good lane. This puts us in good position to score a lot of points if we can do what we are supposed to on Saturday.”

On Friday, what could be Auburn’s best event will be contested as junior Gabor Mate goes for his school record third straight NCAA discus championship. Fellow junior Reedus Thurmond, who was runnerup to Mate at the SEC Championships, is also expected to score in the event after making a major comeback. Thurmond suffered a broken bone in his leg in preseason and was considered questionable for the outdoor season.

For the women’s team Shelly-Ann Gallimore will compete in the triple jump finals Friday and the 4x100-meter relay will run in the finals.

June 1, 2001

Triple Jumper Leaps To NCAA Title

Gabor Mate

EUGENE, Ore. -- Sophomore Shelly-Ann Gallimore won the triple jump at the NCAA Track and Field Championships on Friday night in the top performance for an AU women’s track athlete in eight years.

Junior Gabor Mate came up short of winning the men’s discus event at the NCAA Track and Field Championships for a third straight year.

Competing at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, Gallimore became just the third AU female to win an outdoor NCAA title with a leap of 43 feet, seven and one-quarter inches. Juliet Campbell, who took the 400 meters title in 1993, was the last Lady Tiger athlete to win an outdoor title. Rosalind Pendergraft Council, a 1986 champion, won the other title in the 100 meter hurdles.

Coach Ralph Spry said, “It is great for Shelly-Ann. She has battled injuries all year and this is a great way to finish.”

The women’s team is tied for seventh place with 13 points while the men are tied for 17th with eight points going into the final day of competition on Saturday.

Mate threw the discus 199 feet, eight inches to finish in second place behind Tolga Koseoglu, a senior from Texas A&M, who had a 204-10 effort. Scott Moser of UCLA was third at 197 feet, four inches.

Last season, Mate won the title with a toss of 215 feet, eight inches. This year, he fouled on two of his six attempts. A second place finish scores eight points for a team and first place gains 10 points. Six points are awarded for third place, five for fourth, four for fifth, three for sixth, two for seventh and one for eighth.

“I feel bad for Gabor for not winning his third title,” Spry said. “He just could not get off a good throw, but he finished second and scored some big points for the team and he should be happy about that.”

Reedus Thurmond, who finished sixth in the event last year with a throw of 194 feet, seven inches, finished 15th this year with a toss of 173 feet, 10 inches. He suffered a broken bone in his leg earlier this season and it was questionable if the junior would even be able to compete this spring.

In the women’s competition, the Auburn 4x100 relay team of sophomore Timicka Clarke and juniors Saran Patterson, Natalee Sterling and Shashannie Simpson finished sixth in 44.54. LSU won the event in a time of 43.54.

“The relay did an outstanding job,” said Spry. “We came into the championships 13th and finished sixth. That says a lot about those women and this team.”

On Saturday, defending NCAA champion Avard Moncur will compete in the finals of the 400 meters. The 2000 Olympian ran a 45.06 to win his heat in the fastest qualifying time for the event.

Moncur also helped Auburn’s 4x400-meter relay team advance to the finals in that event. Harland Moore, Tim Green, Shameron Turner and Moncur won their heat in 3:02.30, the second fastest time of the semi-finals. Moncur had the fastest split for the Tigers with a 44.3 seconds and Green was next in 45.7.

June 2, 2001

Jordan-Hare Addition Under Consideration

Aubie

AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn Athletic Department is doing a feasibility study for expanding Jordan-Hare Stadium with three options currently being considered.

The first, and perhaps most interesting, would be to lower the current playing field and add more seats at the current ground level and below ground level. To do that, an underground creek that flows beneath the stadium would have to be moved.

There is plenty of additional room on both the east and west sides of the stadium for more seats. When then Cliff-Hare Stadium was built, the playing field was surround by a 440-yard track that was the home to Coach Wilbur Hutsell’s track teams for 31 seasons before they moved to the current facility that bears the coach’s name.

A second proposal would add several thousand more seats in the north end zone with much of the financing to be done by the sale of luxury suites. While that was being done, a foundation could be built for a future major expansion of another 10,000 to 15,000 more seats in that end zone.

Proposal number three is identical to number two, but the stands would be added to the South end zone.

A major part of the study is to determine exactly how much demand there is for additional premium seating.

Athletic Director David Housel says his department is expecting a complete sellout of 85,612-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last expansion was done in 1987 when capacity was increased from 72,169. When dedicated in 1939, Cliff Hare Stadium held 7,500 fans.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is currently in phase two of a remodeling project. Last year, new dressing rooms were built for both the home team and visitors and a new postgame interview area was added.

Construction crews are currently busy working on an addition to the south side of the stadium that will feature an area to entertain football recruits and other visitors to the university as well as a Tiger Walk Plaza for fans.

“It is going to make that side of the stadium really nice,” football coach Tommy Tuberville says about the new construction taking place. “It is something that will be good for our program.”

June 2, 2001

Champion Moncur Leads Tigers Into Top 10

File Photo Avard Moncur

EUGENE, Ore. -- Senior Avard Moncur smoked the field again, defending his NCAA 400-meter championship with an impressive clocking on Saturday evening. The 2000 Olympian also helped the metric mile relay team to a second place finish Saturday night.

Thanks to Moncur’s big performance, the Tigers reached their pre-meet goal of finishing in the Top 10. Auburn and Texas A&M tied for 10th at the NCAA Track and Field Championships with 26 points.

SEC champ Tennessee nipped TCU 50-49 to win the team title. Baylor was third with 36.5 points and was followed by Stanford (36), LSU (32), Alabama (31), Arkansas and Texas-El Paso (30) and host Oregon (27). The SEC had half of the Top 10 spots plus Georgia was 12th (22), South Carolina 19th (15), Ole Miss 25th (10), Florida 28th (9) and Kentucky was 39th (5).

The AU women, who were unranked coming into the meet, finished in the Top 25 with a 21st place showing, matching their 1995 performance as the second highest outdoor track finish in school history behind the 15th place effort of the 1993 squad.

Southern Cal won the women’s competition with 64 points, nine better than crosstown rival UCLA. Arizona was third with 44 and South Carolina was the top SEC team with 36 points and was followed by league rivals Arkansas (31) and LSU (30), which were fifth and sixth in the team standings. Florida was 20th with 14 points, Mississippi State was 40th with five points, Ole Miss tied for 49th with four points while Alabama and Tennessee each scored two points, putting them in a tie for 60th place.

Moncur ran a time of 44.84 in the 400-meter dash, which was .84 off the NCAA Track and Field Championships record set in 1992 by Quincy Watts of Southern Cal. Junior Alleyne Francique of LSU was second in a time of 45.36 and senior Geno White of Florida made it a one-two-three SEC sweep by running a 45.51.

Moncur joined Sanjay Ayer, Tim Green and Shamron Turner to run a 3:03.90 in the 4x400 meters relay. That was good enough for second place, just .01 behind Baylor.

“Avard ran like a champion today in both races,” noted Auburn coach Ralph Spry. “He was focused on what he had to do and went out and did it. He was a big boost for our team and it is a great way to end a career. The relay ran hard and fell just short.”

On Friday, sophomore Shelly-Ann Gallimore won the triple jump at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in the top performance for an AU women’s track athlete in eight years.

“We had a solid meet all the way around,” Spry said. “Our women, with just two events, placed high, while the men gave everything they had. I’m very proud of both teams.”

Junior Gabor Mate came up short of winning the men’s discus event at the NCAA Track and Field Championships for a third straight year.

Competing at Hayward Field, Gallimore became just the third AU female to win an outdoor NCAA title with a leap of 43 feet, seven and one-quarter inches. Juliet Campbell, who took the 400 meters title in 1993, was the last Lady Tiger athlete to win an outdoor title. Rosalind Pendergraft Council, a 1986 champion, won the other title in the 100 meter hurdles.

Coach Ralph Spry said, “It is great for Shelly-Ann. She has battled injuries all year and this is a great way to finish.”

Mate threw the discus 199 feet, eight inches to finish in second place behind Tolga Koseoglu, a senior from Texas A&M, who had a 204-10 effort. Scott Moser of UCLA was third at 197 feet, four inches.

Last season, Mate won the title with a toss of 215 feet, eight inches. This year, he fouled on two of his six attempts. A second place finish scores eight points for a team and first place gains 10 points. Six points are awarded for third place, five for fourth, four for fifth, three for sixth, two for seventh and one for eighth.

“I feel bad for Gabor for not winning his third title,” Spry said. “He just could not get off a good throw, but he finished second and scored some big points for the team and he should be happy about that.”

Reedus Thurmond, who finished sixth in the event last year with a throw of 194 feet, seven inches, finished 15th this year with a toss of 173 feet, 10 inches. He suffered a broken bone in his leg earlier this season and it was questionable if the junior would even be able to compete this spring.

In the women’s competition on Friday, the Auburn 4x100 relay team of sophomore Timicka Clarke and juniors Saran Patterson, Natalee Sterling and Shashannie Simpson finished sixth in 44.54. LSU won the event in a time of 43.54.

“The relay did an outstanding job,” said Spry. “We came into the championships 13th and finished sixth. That says a lot about those women and this team.”

June 2, 2001

Champion Moncur Leads Tigers Into Top 10 At NCAAs

File Photo Avard Moncur

EUGENE, Ore. -- Senior Avard Moncur smoked the field again, defending his NCAA 400-meter championship with an impressive clocking on Saturday evening. The 2000 Olympian also helped the metric mile relay team to a second place finish Saturday night.

Thanks to Moncur’s big performance, the Tigers reached their pre-meet goal of finishing in the Top 10. Auburn and Texas A&M tied for 10th at the NCAA Track and Field Championships with 26 points.

SEC champ Tennessee nipped TCU 50-49 to win the team title. Baylor was third with 36.5 points and was followed by Stanford (36), LSU (32), Alabama (31), Arkansas and Texas-El Paso (30) and host Oregon (27). The SEC had half of the Top 10 spots plus Georgia was 12th (22), South Carolina 19th (15), Ole Miss 25th (10), Florida 28th (9) and Kentucky was 39th (5).

The AU women, who were unranked coming into the meet, finished in the Top 25 with a 21st place showing, matching their 1995 performance as the second highest outdoor track finish in school history behind the 15th place effort of the 1993 squad.

Southern Cal won the women’s competition with 64 points, nine better than crosstown rival UCLA. Arizona was third with 44 and South Carolina was the top SEC team with 36 points and was followed by league rivals Arkansas (31) and LSU (30), which were fifth and sixth in the team standings. Florida was 20th with 14 points, Mississippi State was 40th with five points, Ole Miss tied for 49th with four points while Alabama and Tennessee each scored two points, putting them in a tie for 60th place.

Moncur ran a time of 44.84 in the 400-meter dash, which was .84 off the NCAA Track and Field Championships record set in 1992 by Quincy Watts of Southern Cal. Junior Alleyne Francique of LSU was second in a time of 45.36 and senior Geno White of Florida made it a one-two-three SEC sweep by running a 45.51.

Moncur joined Sanjay Ayer, Tim Green and Shamron Turner to run a 3:03.90 in the 4x400 meters relay. That was good enough for second place, just .01 behind Baylor.

“Avard ran like a champion today in both races,” noted Auburn coach Ralph Spry. “He was focused on what he had to do and went out and did it. He was a big boost for our team and it is a great way to end a career. The relay ran hard and fell just short.”

On Friday, sophomore Shelly-Ann Gallimore won the triple jump at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in the top performance for an AU women’s track athlete in eight years.

“We had a solid meet all the way around,” Spry said. “Our women, with just two events, placed high, while the men gave everything they had. I’m very proud of both teams.”

Junior Gabor Mate came up short of winning the men’s discus event at the NCAA Track and Field Championships for a third straight year.

Competing at Hayward Field, Gallimore became just the third AU female to win an outdoor NCAA title with a leap of 43 feet, seven and one-quarter inches. Juliet Campbell, who took the 400 meters title in 1993, was the last Lady Tiger athlete to win an outdoor title. Rosalind Pendergraft Council, a 1986 champion, won the other title in the 100 meter hurdles.

Coach Ralph Spry said, “It is great for Shelly-Ann. She has battled injuries all year and this is a great way to finish.”

Mate threw the discus 199 feet, eight inches to finish in second place behind Tolga Koseoglu, a senior from Texas A&M, who had a 204-10 effort. Scott Moser of UCLA was third at 197 feet, four inches.

Last season, Mate won the title with a toss of 215 feet, eight inches. This year, he fouled on two of his six attempts. A second place finish scores eight points for a team and first place gains 10 points. Six points are awarded for third place, five for fourth, four for fifth, three for sixth, two for seventh and one for eighth.

“I feel bad for Gabor for not winning his third title,” Spry said. “He just could not get off a good throw, but he finished second and scored some big points for the team and he should be happy about that.”

Reedus Thurmond, who finished sixth in the event last year with a throw of 194 feet, seven inches, finished 15th this year with a toss of 173 feet, 10 inches. He suffered a broken bone in his leg earlier this season and it was questionable if the junior would even be able to compete this spring.

In the women’s competition on Friday, the Auburn 4x100 relay team of sophomore Timicka Clarke and juniors Saran Patterson, Natalee Sterling and Shashannie Simpson finished sixth in 44.54. LSU won the event in a time of 43.54.

“The relay did an outstanding job,” said Spry. “We came into the championships 13th and finished sixth. That says a lot about those women and this team.”

June 2, 2001

Moncur Smokes Field: Repeats As Champ

File Photo Avard Moncur

EUGENE, Ore. -- Senior Avard Moncur smoked the field again, defending his NCAA 400-meter championship with an impressive clocking on Saturday evening.

The Olympian ran a time of 44.84, which was .84 off the NCAA Track and Field Championships record set in 1992 by Quincy Watts of Southern Cal.

Junior Alleyne Francique of LSU was second in a time of 45.36 and senior Geno White of Florida made it a one-two-three SEC sweep by running a 45.51.

The performance moved the Tigers into 10th place after 14 events with 18 points. Host Oregon has slim lead over Baylor. The Ducks have scored 27 points and the Bears have 26 1/2.

Moncur will run later this evening in the 4x400 meters after scoring 10 points for the Tigers with his victory. Moncur also helped Auburn’s 4x400-meter relay team advance to the finals in that event. Harland Moore, Tim Green, Shameron Turner and Moncur won their heat in 3:02.30, the second fastest time of the semi-finals. Moncur had the fastest split for the Tigers with a 44.3 seconds and Green was next in 45.7.

On Friday, sophomore Shelly-Ann Gallimore won the triple jump at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in the top performance for an AU women’s track athlete in eight years. After 14 events on Saturday night, the Auburn women were tied with Clemson for 13th place with 13 points. Southern Cal is in first place with 40 points.

Junior Gabor Mate came up short of winning the men’s discus event at the NCAA Track and Field Championships for a third straight year.

Competing at Hayward Field, Gallimore became just the third AU female to win an outdoor NCAA title with a leap of 43 feet, seven and one-quarter inches. Juliet Campbell, who took the 400 meters title in 1993, was the last Lady Tiger athlete to win an outdoor title. Rosalind Pendergraft Council, a 1986 champion, won the other title in the 100 meter hurdles.

Coach Ralph Spry said, “It is great for Shelly-Ann. She has battled injuries all year and this is a great way to finish.”

The women’s team is tied for seventh place with 13 points while the men are tied for 17th with eight points going into the final day of competition on Saturday.

Mate threw the discus 199 feet, eight inches to finish in second place behind Tolga Koseoglu, a senior from Texas A&M, who had a 204-10 effort. Scott Moser of UCLA was third at 197 feet, four inches.

Last season, Mate won the title with a toss of 215 feet, eight inches. This year, he fouled on two of his six attempts. A second place finish scores eight points for a team and first place gains 10 points. Six points are awarded for third place, five for fourth, four for fifth, three for sixth, two for seventh and one for eighth.

“I feel bad for Gabor for not winning his third title,” Spry said. “He just could not get off a good throw, but he finished second and scored some big points for the team and he should be happy about that.”

Reedus Thurmond, who finished sixth in the event last year with a throw of 194 feet, seven inches, finished 15th this year with a toss of 173 feet, 10 inches. He suffered a broken bone in his leg earlier this season and it was questionable if the junior would even be able to compete this spring.

In the women’s competition, the Auburn 4x100 relay team of sophomore Timicka Clarke and juniors Saran Patterson, Natalee Sterling and Shashannie Simpson finished sixth in 44.54. LSU won the event in a time of 43.54.

“The relay did an outstanding job,” said Spry. “We came into the championships 13th and finished sixth. That says a lot about those women and this team.”

This article will be updated with final results.

June 4, 2001

Tigers Expected To Be Picked In Baseball Draft

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- June 5 is a day of excitement for young men and their families from coast to coast as Major League Baseball teams begin their selections in the amateur draft. Once again, that means Auburn fans can to sit up and take notice as several Tigers are projected to be taken by professional teams looking to improve their clubs in the near future.

The first player to be taken will likely be left fielder Gabe Gross. A career .375 hitter as an Auburn Tiger, Gross collected 68 doubles, five triples and 35 home runs in three seasons while driving home 218 runs. Projected as a mid-first round selection by scouts, Gross has all the tools that make teams stand up and take notice.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Gross also plays a pretty good left field as shown by his eight assists and just four errors as a junior. A good bet to put the ball in play, Gross struck out just 81 times in 690 at-bats in his career. If you didn’t get a chance to see Gross in action, it’s probably too late to see him in an Auburn uniform as the money and the opportunity will probably be good enough to bolt this summer for the professional ranks.

After Gross it’s up in the air on which Tigers will be taken where from that point on. It’s a pretty safe bet that both Todd Faulkner and Mailon Kent will both be drafted again. The big questions are what rounds. Last year Faulkner was a 12th round selection by the New York Mets and Kent was picked in the 30th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Following differing senior seasons, it will be interesting to see where these two wind up.

Faulkner is probably somewhat of a mystery to the professional teams in terms of hitting. Two outstanding seasons and two sub-par seasons (one because of injury) fill out his four years as an Auburn Tiger. The single season record-holder for home runs with 22, Faulkner finished his career as one of the top hitters ever on the Plains. The Auburn career leader in doubles with 71 and total bases, the Powder Springs, Ga., native is also second on the lists with 50 home runs and 255 RBI. A sure fielder at who gives teams the option of playing several positions, Faulkner fielded .982 for his career and an a senior made several big defensive plays in key situations at first base that helped out a young pitching staff. He should go somewhere between rounds 10 and 20.

Speaking of defense, that will always come to mind when Kent is discussed. Perhaps the finest fielding center fielder to ever play for the Tigers, Kent used a blend of pure speed and superb instincts to become a human vacuum. A career .980 fielder with only 12 errors in 615 chances, Kent also improved his throwing arm over the course of his career and had eight assists as a senior, including three double plays. Not to be outdone, his offensive production was also outstanding for his career. A .352 hitter with 56 doubles, 14 home runs and 170 RBI, Kent is best known for stealing bases. The Auburn career leader with 90, Kent has a knack for running the bases that most pro teams will enjoy watching. He should go somewhere between rounds 15 and 30.

A player that was a mystery for the Tigers this year but is no mystery to Major League scouts is relief pitcher Brandon Luna. Just 3-3 with a 4.70 ERA for Auburn this season, the junior college transfer will not depend on those numbers to get him selected in the draft. No, it will be his summer production that warrants his inclusion in the process. At 2-0 with seven saves and an ERA of 0.00 in 23 and two/thirds innings at the prestigious Cape Cod League this past summer, Luna has proven that he can dominate wooden bat leagues and that should get him taken somewhere in the middle rounds. He is projected to be selected anywhere from rounds 10-25.

A wildcard entry into the fray could be junior catcher Trent Pratt. Because of the nature of the position, it’s never surprising when a talented catcher is selected in the amateur draft. If that catcher happens to have plenty of untapped offensive potential and a solid defensive background, then the chances improve greatly. Such is the case with Pratt, who hit .308 as a junior last year with seven home runs and 14 RBI in the most significant action of his collegiate career after playing for two seasons at Arizona State University. With a .987 fielding percentage and 31 assists from the position last year, Pratt’s defense will earn him a look by some team late in the draft. He is projected to be drafted in the 20th round or later.

Auburn also stands to lose a few of their early signees in the draft as speedy outfielder Sean Gamble from Jeff Davis High School in Montgomery and left-handed pitcher Arnold Hughey from Venice, Fla., are both expected to be taken sometime in the draft. Gamble is the son of former major league outfielder Oscar Gamble, who is best known for his time with the New York Yankees. Hughey is one of the top pitching prospects in Florida and being left-handed only speeds up the looking process by Major League teams. Both should be taken in the middle rounds and it will come down to money before they decide to turn pro or become an Auburn Tiger.

We will have complete coverage of the draft and comments from players selected beginning Tuesday, June 5.

June 4, 2001

Toronto Picks Gabe Gross In First Round

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- June 5 is a day of excitement for young men and their families from coast to coast as Major League Baseball teams begin their selections in the amateur draft. Once again, that means Auburn fans can to sit up and take notice as several Tigers are projected to be taken by professional teams looking to improve their clubs in the near future.

Junior Gabe Gross, as expected, was a very early draft choice. He was the 15th pick of the first round, going to the Toronto Bluejays of the American League.

A career .375 hitter as an Auburn Tiger, Gross collected 68 doubles, five triples and 35 home runs in three seasons while driving home 218 runs. Projected as a mid-first round selection by scouts, Gross has all the tools that make teams stand up and take notice.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Gross also plays a pretty good left field as shown by his eight assists and just four errors as a junior. A good bet to put the ball in play, Gross struck out just 81 times in 690 at-bats in his career. If you didn’t get a chance to see Gross in action, it’s probably too late to see him in an Auburn uniform as the money and the opportunity will probably be good enough to bolt this summer for the professional ranks.

Also on Tuesday, Gross was named a second team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America . The business major from Dothan carries a 3.44 cumulative grade point average.

The second Tiger drafted was center fielder Mailon Kent, who was taken in the 12th round by the Atlanta Braves. He was a 30th round pick by St. Louis after his junior year.

It’s a pretty safe bet that Todd Faulkner will be drafted again this year despite an injury-plagued senior season. He was selected in the 12th round last year by the New York Mets.

Faulkner is probably somewhat of a mystery to the professional teams in terms of hitting. Two outstanding seasons and two sub-par seasons (one because of injury) fill out his four years as an Auburn Tiger. The single season record-holder for home runs with 22, Faulkner finished his career as one of the top hitters ever on the Plains. The Auburn career leader in doubles with 71 and total bases, the Powder Springs, Ga., native is also second on the lists with 50 home runs and 255 RBI. A sure fielder at who gives teams the option of playing several positions, Faulkner fielded .982 for his career and an a senior made several big defensive plays in key situations at first base that helped out a young pitching staff. He should go somewhere between rounds 10 and 20.

Speaking of defense, that will always come to mind when Kent is discussed. Perhaps the finest fielding center fielder to ever play for the Tigers, Kent used a blend of pure speed and superb instincts to become a human vacuum. A career .980 fielder with only 12 errors in 615 chances, Kent also improved his throwing arm over the course of his career and had eight assists as a senior, including three double plays. Not to be outdone, his offensive production was also outstanding for his career. A .352 hitter with 56 doubles, 14 home runs and 170 RBI, Kent is best known for stealing bases. The Auburn career leader with 90, Kent has a knack for running the bases that most pro teams will enjoy watching. He should go somewhere between rounds 15 and 30.

A player that was a mystery for the Tigers this year but is no mystery to Major League scouts is relief pitcher Brandon Luna. Just 3-3 with a 4.70 ERA for Auburn this season, the junior college transfer will not depend on those numbers to get him selected in the draft. No, it will be his summer production that warrants his inclusion in the process. At 2-0 with seven saves and an ERA of 0.00 in 23 and two/thirds innings at the prestigious Cape Cod League this past summer, Luna has proven that he can dominate wooden bat leagues and that should get him taken somewhere in the middle rounds. He is projected to be selected anywhere from rounds 10-25.

A wildcard entry into the fray could be junior catcher Trent Pratt. Because of the nature of the position, it’s never surprising when a talented catcher is selected in the amateur draft. If that catcher happens to have plenty of untapped offensive potential and a solid defensive background, then the chances improve greatly. Such is the case with Pratt, who hit .308 as a junior last year with seven home runs and 14 RBI in the most significant action of his collegiate career after playing for two seasons at Arizona State University. With a .987 fielding percentage and 31 assists from the position last year, Pratt’s defense will earn him a look by some team late in the draft. He is projected to be drafted in the 20th round or later.

Auburn also stands to lose a few of its early signees in the draft as speedy outfielder Sean Gamble from Jeff Davis High School in Montgomery and left-handed pitcher Arnold Hughey from Venice, Fla., were both expected to be taken sometime in the draft. Gamble went in the 11th round to the Toronto, too. The son of former Major Leaguer outfielder Oscar Gamble, who is best known for his time with the New York Yankees. Hughey is one of the top pitching prospects in Florida and being left-handed only speeds up the looking process by Major League teams. Both should be taken in the middle rounds and it will come down to money before they decide to turn pro or become an Auburn Tiger.

Gabe Going

June 5, 2001

Impact Players Moving On For Baseball Tigers

Jason Caldwell-Inside the Auburn Tigers Todd Faulkner led Auburn at the plate vs. FSU.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For many Auburn baseball fans it was a day they had been dreading. With the 9-6 loss to Florida State at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, the collegiate playing days of several Tiger stars came to an end.

For seniors Mailon Kent, Todd Faulkner and Hayden Gliemmo, the loss to FSU in the NCAA sub-region was definitely their last game in an Auburn uniform and how fitting that it ended in Tallahassee, where so many other former stars staged their final showing as a Tiger.

There is also a strong possibility that junior Gabe Gross has played his final game for Coach Steve Renfroe and Auburn. Expected to be a high draft choice in next month’s Major League Baseball draft, Gross will likely forego his senior season in favor of playing professional baseball. If that’s the case, the losses from this team will be felt far and wide not only at Auburn but in the entire SEC when next baseball season rolls around.

The senior class compiled a 169-79 record in its four years as Tigers with a 66-54 mark in league play. The seniors played in NCAA Regionals every season and were a part of an SEC Tournament championship team in 1998 and a regional championship team in 1999. To go along with the team statistics, these Tigers also racked up an impressive portfolio of individual numbers.

A quarterback from Mountain Brook High School who also played a little baseball, Kent leaves Auburn as the career leader in stolen bases and runs scored and is in the top 10 in at-bats, games played, hits, RBI, singles, doubles, extra-base hits and total bases. He finished his career second all-time in hits and earlier this season became only the 13th player in SEC history to go over the 300-hit mark for a career. He also will be remembered as one of the best defensive center fielders in Tiger history, making the position look very easy during his time roaming the grass at Plainsman Park.

“It seems like yesterday I was sitting here at Georgia Tech not knowing if I was going to come back or not,” an emotional Kent said after the loss to Florida State. The 2000 season ended in the sub-regional round on Tech’s home field in Atlanta. “No matter what happened, I didn’t regret coming back at all. It was a great year and we were a great ball club that showed a lot to come back from an 0-9 (SEC) start. It’s been fun playing for Coach (Steve) Renfroe. I’m really going to miss playing for him and I think he knows that.”

If any player could harbor regrets about coming back for a senior season, it would be Faulkner, but that’s not the kind of person or player he is. Just starting to swing the bat like old times at the end of the season, Faulkner likely would have smashed just about every power record in the book had he been healthy for his senior season.

Also a statistical demon in the record books, Faulkner finished as the leader in total bases, extra-base hits and doubles. He also finished second in home runs and runs batted in while cracking the top 10 in at-bats, runs, hits, singles and hit-by-pitches. Just like his teammate Kent, Faulkner topped the 300-hit mark and was the 14th player in league history to do so. His total of 50 home runs is one better than Frank Thomas’ total and nine off the mark set by Josh Etheredge. Considering he hit just two as a senior after blasting 22 as a junior, it’s a safe bet that record would have fallen by the wayside had he been healthy. Either way, the Powder Springs, Ga., native said he is more disappointed in the season outcome than any personal goals. “It’s been a fun ride,” Faulkner said. “It’s frustrating to come down here again and lose. We’ve got a great club and been through a lot this year. It’s just frustrating.”

Frustrating is the one word that comes to mind when you speak of the career of Gliemmo. On his way to becoming one of the most successful pitchers in Auburn history, the Moultrie, Ga., product had arm problems as both a junior and senior that caused him to miss almost a full season’s worth of games. Still the less than imposing lefty did his share of damage in the record books.

Second in games started with 63, third in wins with 37, seventh in winning percentage at .755, third in innings pitched with 359 and fourth in strikeouts with 290, Gliemmo will go down as one of the best in Tiger history but you will always think about what could have been. With 26 wins his first two seasons, Gliemmo was well on his way to smashing the school record of 43 wins held by John Powell. Also a solid right fielder, Gliemmo finished his career with a batting average of better than .300 with 87 runs batted in.

While the seniors know their fate, Gross must now sit and wait to determine his future. He can do that with a clear conscience knowing he did all he could as a student-athlete at Auburn. Coming to the Plains on a football scholarship, Gross took over the reigns as the starting quarterback as a true freshman in 1998 and seemed to have a solid future ahead of him in the sport.

However, when he hit the baseball diamond that spring, it was plain to see that he could soon be a one-sport athlete instead of two. Hitting .363 with seven home runs and 65 runs batted in, the Dothan native took the league by storm as he smoothly made the transition to major college baseball. After becoming a baseball-only player as a sophomore, he made even bigger strides when he earned All-America honors with a .430 batting average to go along with 13 home runs and 86 runs batted in. Although he suffered a drop-off as a junior, Gross is still high on just about every offensive list in the Auburn record book, just like his two cohorts, Kent and Faulkner.

In just three years of action, Gross is currently in the top 10 in eight offensive categories. Among those are runs batted in (4th), doubles (2nd), home runs (5th), extra-base hits (3rd), total bases (5th) and base on balls (3rd). Add to that the fact that Gross turned himself into one of the best defensive outfielders in Auburn history and you get one of the top total players ever to lace up the spikes as a Tiger.

“If this is the last game I play for Auburn, I don’t know what to say,” Gross said. “I’ve enjoyed it. It has been the best three years of my life. I’m going to miss playing with Todd, Mailon, Giz (Hayden Gliemmo) and the rest of the guys on this ball club. We had a great team this year. The stuff we overcame was unbelievable.”

Gross became emotional when he talked about what “Auburn people” mean to him and his teammates. “If this is the last game for all of us I can certainly say we love everybody from Auburn and they’ve been something special for us.”

June 5, 2001

Gabe Likely Headed To Pro Baseball

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- The odds of junior left fielder Gabe Gross returning for another year of Auburn University baseball are very slim after the Tiger All-SEC pick was selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.

Gross was the 15th player picked in the opening round and was taken by Toronto of the American League. He was the second SEC player selected. Shortstop Chris Burke of Tennessee was picked 10th by the Houston Astros.

The eighth college player picked this year, Gross is the fifth Tiger in school history to be taken in the first round. Last year right-handed pitcher Chris Bootcheck was the 20th choice. Another right-handed pitcher, Bryan Hebson, was a supplemental selection in the first round of 1997.

First baseman Frank Thomas, a former American League Most Valuable Player, was taken as the seventh overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in 1989. Former American League all-star right-handed pitcher Gregg Olson was the fourth pick by Baltimore in 1988.

Gross is just the second Auburn player to be drafted by Toronto. Second baseman Dominic Rich was picked by that club in the 2000 draft. Auburn has had at least one player drafted every year for the past 24 seasons.

June 5, 2001

Powerful Tiger Has What MLB Teams Want

Gabe Gross

AUBURN, Ala. -- Gabe Gross has the entire package as a baseball prospect--size, strength, power, a strong arm and character.

Those attributes pushed him to the front of the annual Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday. The Auburn junior was the 15th pick of the opening round by the Toronto Blue Jays of the American League.

A left-handed hitter with the type of power pro teams are looking for, Gross hammered 15 homers as a junior in 208 official plate appearances. He was also walked 57 times and tied for the team lead in doubles with 19. He hit .327 as a junior after batting .363 as a freshman and .430 as a sophomore. As a junior, he turned into one of the top fielding outfielders in the SEC.

Gross came to Auburn on football scholarship and broke into the starting lineup as a true freshman in 1998. He started six games and played in nine despite not being full speed due to injuries. He completed 88-197 passes for 1,222 yards with seven TDs and 12 interceptions.

That spring in baseball, he was named a Freshman All-American despite splitting his time between that sport and football. He was named MVP on offense at the 1999 spring football game, but decided to give up football the following fall to concentrate on baseball. That decision is paying dividends today.

The 2000 season saw him earn first team All-America honors and move his name to the top of the lists of pro prospects for the coming year. Although he could return for his senior year, that possibility is very unlikely with such a favorable draft pick.

Gross was the 15th player taken in the opening round . He was the second SEC player selected. Shortstop Chris Burke of Tennessee was picked 10th by the Houston Astros. With Gross and senior outfielder Mailon Kent (12th round, Atlanta Braves) being picked on Tuesday, Auburn has had at least one player drafted every year for the past 24 seasons.

Gross hit seven homers as a freshman and 13 as a sophomore. A two-time first team All-SEC pick, he was a semi-finalist for the Rotary Smith Award last season as college baseball's top player.

This past season, Gross was named MVP of the Coca Cola Classic, SEC Player of the Week, National Player of the Week, Academic All-SEC and Academic All-America. With a .376 career batting average, that is the fifth best in school history.

June 5, 2001

Gabe Ready To Chase Pro Sports Dreams

Gabe Gross is congratulated after his big home run.

DOTHAN, Ala. -- Dothan, Ala.--A dream came true on Tuesday for one Auburn athlete as Gabe Gross was the 15th player picked in the opening round of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft. The junior was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays of the American League.

Gross was the second Southeastern Conference player selected behind shortstop Chris Burke of Tennessee, who was picked 10th by the Houston Astros. If not picked by Toronto, other teams were waiting to draft Gross, a former starting quarterback for the Tigers who hits with power, runs well and has a very strong throwing arm.

A three-sport star (baseball, basketball, football) at Northview High School and a two-sport athlete for part of his college days at Auburn, Gross, like most kids growing up in America, has pictured himself playing in the pros. Now that is very close to reality thanks to an outstanding career as an Auburn Tiger that has him finishing in the Top 10 in key offensive categories for his career despite playing just three seasons on the Plains.

“It’s been a dream of mine for a long, long time to play professional athletics,” Gross said on Tuesday at his family’s home. “That has turned into professional baseball. Whatever it takes. I don’t have a timetable, I’m just looking forward to getting started on it.”

Gross is just the second Auburn baseball player to be drafted by Toronto. Second baseman Dominic Rich was picked by that club in last year’s draft as a second round selection. Toronto is not the type of team a kid from Alabama dreams about playing for, but that’s all right, Gross said. He noted that he has enough information about the Blue Jays’ organization to be happy about the selection.

“I know about as much, I guess, as a person can that is as far away as I am,” he said. “I’ve seen them play games on ESPN and I watch SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight every night and see a lot of their games. Plus, last year Dominic Rich was drafted in the second round and I’ve talked to him about several different things and how the organization is. All I’ve heard is just great things. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”

The eighth college player picked in this year’s draft, Gross is the fifth Tiger in school history to be taken in the first round. Last year right-handed pitcher Chris Bootcheck was the 20th choice of the California Angels in round one. Another right-handed pitcher, Bryan Hebson, was a supplemental selection in the first round of 1997 by the Montreal Expos. First baseman Frank Thomas, a former American League Most Valuable Player, was taken as the seventh overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in 1989. Former American League all-star right-handed pitcher Greg Olson was the fourth pick by Baltimore in 1988.

Now that the draft is out of the way, it’s on to the minor leagues for Gross. That should happen just as soon as he can get a contract negotiated and make his way to a Toronto minor league farm club in the following days. Without an idea of where he’s going, Gross says he is just hoping to get it done quickly. “This is a process and I understand that,” he said of the negotiations that will take place over the next few days. “I would love to get out and be playing baseball as soon as possible.”

A very solid young man with a laid-back lifestyle, Gross will likely be a sure bet not to squander his expected big-bucks bonus money on cars or other luxury items. With a lump of green coming his way soon, the son of former AU star football player Lee Gross said there is just one thing he wants to buy right now, something he’s always wanted.

“I think the majority of whatever it is (bonus money) will be put into the bank or different financial plans and kept as savings,” Gross surmised on Tuesday. “If there is any one thing that I have always wanted in my life and I might buy, I don’t know for sure yet, that would be a boat. Never had one, always wanted one. A bass boat or something to go around fishing in.”

From the looks of the million dollar deals signed by first round picks after last year’s draft, Gabe will likely be able to afford the bass boat of his choice very soon.

Also selected in the draft on Tuesday was Auburn center fielder Mailon Kent. A 30th round pick last year, an outstanding senior year moved him up to the 12th round where he was selected by the Atlanta Braves. Someone who has improved on just about every facet of his game over his four-year career, Kent has a chance to become a special player in the Braves organization, Renfroe said on Tuesday evening.

“Mailon had a great year,” the Auburn coach noted. “He and Gabe carried us. It was a two-man show for a long time. I think Mailon will make a fine adjustment. The thing Mailon has going for him is his position. Being a center fielder is a premium defensive position and with his running ability he can do those things we know about. The rest of it will be how he hits and I think Mailon is such a good athlete that he’ll figure it out. I think he’s got a chance to be a good professional player.”

Kent led the Tigers in batting average this past season at .350. Gross was next at .327 with team highs in homers (15) and RBI (67).

Also taken in Tuesday’s draft was Auburn signee Sean Gamble from Jeff Davis High School in Montgomery. A 6-0, 180-pound outfielder, Gamble is the son of former Major Leaguer Oscar Gamble. Also picked by the Blue Jays, Gamble has until the first day of the fall semester to sign with the Toronto club. If he decides to come to Auburn, expect him to immediately challenge for the left field spot vacated by All-SEC pick Gross.

The day did have its disappointments as senior first baseman Todd Faulkner and junior reliever Brandon Luna both went uncalled on day one. The draft starts again at noon central time with rounds 21-50.

More on Gabe Gross

June 6, 2001

Moran Makes All-Star Team, Two More Drafted

Outfielder Jovan Moran

AUBURN, Ala. -- For the third consecutive year the Auburn baseball Tigers have a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and two more Tigers have been taken in the pro baseball draft.

Joining Gabe Gross in 1999 and Bobby Huddleston in 2000 is Valdosta, Ga., native Javon Moran in 2001. Moran is one of five Southeastern Conference players named to the team that was announced on Wednesday by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

A starter in 57 of Auburn’s 58 games this past season, Moran hit .306 with a team-leading 78 hits on the season and 25 multi-hit games in the leadoff spot. The team leader with 24 stolen bases and three triples, Moran finished the 2001 season with a nine-game hitting streak and earlier in the year had an 11-game streak.

One of two freshmen starters for Auburn this season in the field (third baseman Scott Schade was the other), Moran hit .368 (7-19) in the NCAA Tournament Tallahassee Regional. Included in those seven hits was a game-winner against Jacksonville in the Tigers’ 7-6 10 inning win against the Dolphins.

An improving fielder in right field with only three errors all year, Moran is expected to move to center field next season to take over for the departing Mailon Kent, a 12th-round selection of the Atlanta Braves in Tuesday’s first day of the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Left fielder Gabe Gross was selected as the 15th pick of the first round on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, two more Tigers were selected. Senior first baseman Todd Faulkner and junior catcher Trent Pratt became the 21st and 22nd Tigers to be drafted in the past five seasons.

Faulkner was taken by the New York Yankees in the 22nd round as the 665th player selected in the draft. A 13th round pick of the New York Mets in the 2000 draft, Faulkner hit .291 with 10 doubles and 37 RBI in 35 games this past season in limited playing time due to a wrist injury. As a junior he was a first team All-American and a finalist for the Rotary Smith Award as national player of the year with a .423 batting average to go with school-record, single-season totals of 22 home runs and 103 RBI.

Pratt was picked in the 34th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday as the 1,028th player drafted. He hit .308 this season at Auburn, his first with the Tigers after transferring from Arizona State. He tied Gross for the team lead in doubles with 19.

Pratt has one more season of eligibility if he chooses to use it. Moran has three. Joining Moran on the Freshman All-America team from the SEC were pitchers Lane Mestepay from LSU, Paul Maholm from Mississippi State, Adam Yates from Ole Miss and catcher Javi Herrera from Tennessee.

June 8, 2001

Baseball Tigers Sign Five In Late Period

Coach Steve Renfroe

AUBURN, Ala -- Coach Steve Renfroe and the Auburn Tigers finished with a flurry in recruiting for the second-straight season as five players have signed on the dotted line in the late period to bring the total number of signees to 11 this year. With one more possible addition to this class expected early next week, this class could turn out to be one of the better in Auburn history.

Heading the late signees is shortstop Tug Hewlitt from Evangel Christian High School in Shreveport, La. The son of former major leaguer Tim Hewlitt, Tug is a superb defensive shortstop with a solid bat. Helping his team to a 24-8 record and a quarterfinal berth in the 2001 playoffs, Hewlitt batted .495 with four home runs and nine doubles. His 40 runs scored, 29 RBI, and 25 walks led the team. An impressive statistic for Hewlitt was a .603 on-base-percentage and only seven strikeouts in 99 at-bats on the season. He’s expected to come in and immediately challenge for a spot in the Tiger infield.

The question mark of the late period is outfielder Sean Gamble. An 11th Round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in Tuesday’s Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, the 6-0, 190 pound Gamble has a decision to make on his future and that could come fairly early in the process. With his dad, former major league standout Oscar Gamble, looking on, he could make a decision as early as next week on his choice of either Auburn or the minor leagues.

The three other signees are 6-1, 210 outfielder Lance Reynolds (Bats Right, Throws Right) from Enterprise State Junior College in Alabama, infielder/outfielder Steven Todd from Florida Community College at Jacksonville, and 5-9, 170 catcher Christopher “Cooper” Fouts from Bishop Gorman High School in Henderson, NV. Fouts, a right-handed hitter, was a 36th Round selection by the Oakland A’s.

Those five join what was already an impressive class of signees from this past spring. They include 6-1, 215 pitcher Kyle Bohm of Stevens Point, Wis., 6-0, 195 outfielder/pitcher Matt Grooms of Montgomery (a 47th Round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks), 6-0, 170 pitcher Arnold Hughey of Venice, Fla. (a 40th Round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies), 6-0, 190 shortstop Chuck Jeroloman of Wellington, Fla., 6-5, 227 pitcher/infielder Michael Nix of Auburn and 5-10, 160 Stephen Register of Columbus, Ga.

This list will be updated further with statistics and any additional news in the coming days.

June 8, 2001

Baseball Tigers Sign Five In Late Period