Auburn coach Butch Thompson assesses strength of SEC baseball after punching ticket to Omaha

Auburn secured a spot in the College World Series on Monday night, taking their win or go home matchup against Oregon State in the Corvallis Super Regional. It’s the second time in the past three tournaments the Tigers will be going to Omaha as head coach Butch Thompson looks to build up the program.

Thompson talked about how special making the College World Series was for Auburn after defeating Oregon State. He also assessed where SEC baseball stood with four teams making the trip to Omaha. As things turn out, all of them reside in the SEC West, proving to be one of the top divisions in college baseball.

“It’s just special,” Thompson said. “Continuing to build a brand. ’19 was the first time we’ve been in 22 years and now, to be in three of the last four Super Regionals in whatever time. Just going back to the World Series is showing we’re trying to build a program. We play in a tough, tough division and I can’t think of a better stat than four of our teams in our division will make it to Omaha, Nebraska this year.”

Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M will be joining Auburn, with the first two sharing a side of the bracket with the Tigers. Going through an SEC West schedule on a yearly basis is always tough enough. Having to face off against them in the College World Series could be tougher, even for a team on fire as the Tigers.

Game 1 will be on Saturday night against Ole Miss. During the regular season, the Rebels were able to take two of three against Auburn on the road. However, this is a completely new ball game heading into Omaha.

Butch Thompson, Auburn players celebrate clinching College World Series

The Auburn Tigers advanced to Omaha and earned a berth in the College World Series after defeating Oregon State in Game 3. It’s the program’s second appearance in the final eight over the past three tournaments.

After losing on Sunday, Auburn was able to get out of a fast start in Game 3 thanks to a home run from Sonny DiChiara in the third inning. Two more runs were added in the sixth inning and the Tigers were able to hold on, despite a mini-comeback from Oregon State.

After the result was official, players flooded to the pitcher’s mound, where the celebration was on. A dog pile ensued on the road as Auburn is off to compete for a national championship once again in Omaha.

Tiger pile!! @AuburnBaseball is headed to the #MCWS! pic.twitter.com/52MAWFdU6S

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 14, 2022