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247sports.com Auburn spring preview: How the transfers fit in Nathan King 10–13 minutes This time next week, football will be back on the Plains. The first practices of the Hugh Freeze era get under way next Monday, as Auburn is set for an early start to spring ball this year. The new coaching staff will get their first chance to work with the Tigers, implement new schemes on both sides of the ball, acclimate newcomers from high school and the transfer ranks, and evaluate where the team stands as a whole and what areas of emphasis will need to be moving forward. Things culminate April 8 with the first A-Day spring game of the Freeze era. All week, Auburn Undercover will continue to preview a different facet of Auburn's upcoming spring practices until things get rolling on Monday — from wild-card players to freshman fits to position battles to depth charts. We’ll get started with a look at the Tigers’ 12 transfer additions — who are all on campus after Freeze put together what 247Sports currently has rated as the No. 5 transfer haul in the country — and what to watch from each of them in fitting with their new position rooms. OT Dillon Wade (Tulsa) What to watch for: How much competition will there be for Wade at left tackle? Auburn’s new staff — spearheaded by Philip Montgomery, the new OC who coached Wade at Tulsa — brought in the highly touted transfer to be a pillar at left tackle. And the Tigers don’t have much in the way of returning tackle experience. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume Wade will get first-team reps early; his biggest competition is probably either redshirt sophomore Colby Smith or JUCO addition Izavion Miller. What they said: “The way he handled some really good rushers there at Ole Miss, the way he handled those guys, the way he brought — he didn't look out of place. And a lot of times, the O-line will look out of place when they're playing a bigger school, but D-Wade did not look like that. Obviously, that's why he was so sought after in the transfer portal. Looking forward to seeing him shine here at Auburn." — OL coach Jake Thornton (WKU Athletics) OT Gunner Britton (Western Kentucky) What to watch for: Like Wade, Britton has to translate a high level of production at the Group of Five level into consistency in the SEC. It’s assumed he’ll slide in at right tackle, but Britton started at both tackle spots as recently as last season for Western Kentucky. Auburn’s coaches have been impressed with Miller since he arrived on campus, so it wouldn’t be surprising for those two to battle at right tackle. What they said: “With Gunner, a lot of reps playing multiple tackle spots was very intriguing to me because to play offensive line in the SEC, it's a long and brutal season and it's physically taxing. Not only do you have to play 12 football games, but you're also practicing three days a week at a physical position versus some of the best defensive linemen in the league, so there needs to be guys that can play multiple spots. And Gunner brings that to us.” — OL coach Jake Thornton C Avery Jones (East Carolina) What to watch for: What will the pecking order be at a packed center position? Jones enters spring ball as the most experienced center on the roster, though Auburn also has two returnees: Tate Johnson, who started four games last season before being injured, plus veteran Jalil Irvin. The Tigers have two freshman early enrollees, and Connor Lew is a big, physical player who has the tools to compete right away. Jones rising to the top of the group wouldn’t be surprising, but it’ll have plenty of competition. What they said: “We watched every game that he had played for, we spent days evaluating him and watching tape and watching his fundamentals. He plays with great effort and great energy. He's athletic. He's smart, which being smart and understanding the system plays a huge role in how successful you're going to be as a pass protector or run blocker, so that jumped off the screen to me.” — OL coach Jake Thornton RB Brian Battie (USF) What to watch for: How does Battie complement Auburn’s other ball-carriers? Junior Jarquez Hunter has been biding his time behind Tank Bigsby in waiting for the lead back role at Auburn, and that much likely isn’t in question. But Battie brings an intriguing skill set to the table and is the type of playmaker Freeze and his offensive staff will likely scheme to get in space. Damari Alston won’t go away easy, too, as the sophomore looks for an increased role after appearing in 10 games last season. What they said: “To see an All-American guy — a guy who put up the production that he has put up, to be in the portal, and for us with Tank Bigsby leaving, for us, it was a need for us. To have a guy like him jump in there, I was ecstatic. So, got an opportunity to cut on his film, and his film speaks for itself. I got an opportunity to talk to him, and I tell you, he’s an awesome young man that has a bright future.” — RB coach Cadillac Williams (FIU Athletics) TE Rivaldo Fairweather (FIU) What to watch for: How does an athletic, pass-catching tight end fit with the rest of the tight-end room? New position coach Ben Aigamaua compared Fairweather’s skill set to that of Evan Engram, whom he and Freeze coached at Ole Miss, “only bigger.” That’s high praise for the FIU transfer, but Fairweather brings plenty of production to the table and looks all the part of a versatile weapon in the passing game. With Auburn’s other experienced tight ends more adept in blocking and less experienced running routes downfield, it will be intriguing to see what the Tigers’ offense does to highlight their strengths and Fairweather’s. What they said: "One, just the athletic ability that he possesses in the passing game and also he’s 250 pounds. For us, we’ve got to be able to do both in our offense. We’ve got to be able to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties, and then we’ve got to be able to block some defensive ends in this league. My job is to make them successful." — TE coach Ben Aigamaua WR Nick Mardner (Cincinnati) What to watch for: What will the competition look like between Mardner and Camden Brown? The sophomore is the only other receiver on the roster whose size can compete with Mardner — other than Landen King, who rarely works on the outside and is more often a slot guy. Mardner's familiarity with new position coach Marcus Davis could play a factor in the former Hawaii transfer’s rapid acclimation and opportunity for a big role in the offense. What they said: “The biggest thing I would say is he's a guy who brings a combination of size and speed. He's every bit of 6-5, and he can run. That's something he definitely can bring to the room.” — WR coach Marcus Davis DT Lawrence Johnson (Purdue) What to watch for: How does Johnson’s veteran presence compare to Auburn’s less experienced but talented pieces at defensive tackle? A starter in 26 games over the past two seasons at Purdue, Johnson brings some stability to a group that loses Colby Wooden, but he’ll be competing for reps against returning players like Jeffrey M'ba and Zykeivous Walker, formerly the No. 1 JUCO recruit in the country and a top-100 prospect, respectively. DT Mosiah Nasili-Kite (Maryland) What to watch for: Nasili-Kite’s relative versatility — playing mostly on the interior but also kicking out a few snaps a game to defensive end or nose tackle — could be helpful as new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts and position coach Jeremy Garrett work to implement their scheme on the defensive front. His effectiveness as a pass-rusher — No. 2 on Maryland’s defense in QB hurries last season — can’t be ignored, either, especially after Garrett has preached how his interior defensive linemen need to be able to rush the passer if they want to see the field consistently. (UK Athletics) NT Justin Rogers (Kentucky) What to watch for: We’ll preview each spring position battle later this week, but there’s likely an exciting one brewing at nose tackle between Rogers and returning starter Jayson Jones. A former 5-star recruit, Rogers started every game at nose for Kentucky last season, and his impressive production led to a transfer recruitment that also included Alabama and LSU. What they said: “It’s easy to see when you turn on the tape, the guy is playing some of our competitors and he has eight tackles in the game. He’s running and he’s physical up front, and he’s a big man in the middle. It’s easy to see that translating into what you’ll need him to do here. It was a big addition to bring some experience that’s been in the SEC.” — DL coach Jeremy Garret OLB Eljiah McAllister (Vanderbilt) What to watch for: McAllister might receive plenty of reps with his new program based on need alone. Redshirt sophomore Dylan Brooks is the only returning player with experience at a pure pass-rushing spot. One of Auburn’s most productive position groups on the roster last season is ultra thin after the departures of Derick Hall and Eku Leota, and Auburn’s defensive coaches will be relying on McAllister’s experience to guide the younger players through a spring where they’ll be low on bodies. LB Demario Tolan (LSU) What to watch for: A versatile athlete at 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds, Tolan isn't a proven contributor joining Roberts’ defense. He's not a plug-and-play addition who will automatically contender for a spot in the starting rotation. But the former top-200 recruit does represent a boost in depth to a position group that doesn't have much in terms of proven depth after the loss of Owen Pappoe, who's off to the NFL draft — and he has the frame and skill set to float as an outside ‘backer who can rush the passer, too, something Auburn needs from a depth perspective. What they said: “DeMario was almost like signing a high school guy because he played in every game as a true freshman, but he’s still got a lot of developing and upside. With us not signing a high school linebacker in this class, that was important to me. I wanted to sign one guy that was near a high school player.” — LB coach Josh Aldridge ">247Sports

Auburn QB commit Walker White shares how he is recruiting the 2024 class Zac Blackerby ~2 minutes Walker White is recruiting Auburn's 2024 class hard. Auburn quarterback commit Walker White is very serious about recruiting the 2024 class. The Little Rock, Arkansas native surprised the recruiting world by choosing Auburn over Clemson, Baylor, and other schools for the top quarterback's services on February 3rd. His biggest focus since committing? Recruiting the 2024 class. "Right now I'm just recruiting my class," White said. "I'll facetime with Coach Freeze and Coach Montgomery a couple of times a week but we are going to start getting into the offense here pretty soon. But right now it's just been me contacting the recruits." White shared a list of 2024 players that he wanted to play with at his commitment ceremony. It sounds like he has made an impact. "And I've asked the coaches who are the guys that they like. Give me their numbers and I'll create these relationships." White shared that he is recruiting around 20 players in the 2024 class right now. "I'm doing the whole class, mainly offensive players, you know there are a few linebackers or safeties that I've been in contact with. What I'm saying is I want you to come to play with me, not against me, because I don't want those guys against me. I want them on my team." You'll be able to hear the full conversation from White on Locked On Auburn later this week. Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!

Report: NCAA football considering major rule change affecting passing game John Clay 3–4 minutes Nearly everyone agrees that college football games are taking too long to complete. Not everyone agrees about the best way to shorten the game. Example: According to Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger, the sports’ higher-ups are considering a rule change that would let the clock run after incomplete passes. According to Dellenger, that is one of four major proposals to shorten the game. One proposal would prohibit consecutive timeouts. Another would eliminate playing an untimed down after a penalty at the end of the first and third quarters. Another would eliminate stopping the clock on first downs except in the final two minutes of the game. As for the fourth, Dellenger writes, “In a more controversial fourth proposal, the clock will continue to run after an incomplete pass once the ball is spotted for play.” Both college and professional football starts the clock once the ball is spotted after plays that go out of bounds. An exception is the final two minutes of the first half and the final five minutes of the second half. But both college and the NFL stop the clock on incomplete pass with the clock restarting at the snap of the ball for the next play. Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) throws a pass down field against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half of the game at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, November 19, 2022. Back in September, NCAA Coordinator of Officials Steve Shaw said that running the clock after a made first down would not save as much time as running the clock after incompletions. “Even though you think, ‘Man you’d save 10 seconds every first down,’ you really probably won’t,” Shaw told The Athletic. “That probably won’t have as big an impact as restarting it after incompletions.” “College football conducted a field study last season to ascertain the impact of the proposed changes,” reports Sports Illustrated. “A running clock after a first down would eliminate about seven to nine plays per game. A running clock after an incomplete pass could eliminate more than twice that number.” While I’m all for shortening the length of the games, I don’t think I’d be for continuing to run the clock after incomplete passes. For one thing, it takes longer for the receivers to return to the huddle after a pass play than when a team runs the football. The rule change would also affect the strategy in late-game and two-minute situations. Dellenger says the rule changes would be for the upcoming 2023 college football season but are weeks away from being approved. Sports Illustrated reports the average FBS game lasted three hours and 21 minutes. In 2018, the average game lasted 3 hours and 16 minutes. Here’s the length of Kentucky football’s games in 2022: 3:16 - Miami of Ohio 3:35 - Florida 3:07 - Youngstown State 3:04 - Northern Illinois 3:07 - Ole Miss 3:04 - South Carolina 3:19 - Mississippi State 3:21 - Tennessee 3:29 - Missouri 3:09 - Vanderbilt 3:12 - Louisville 3:04 - Iowa Again eyeing a move to the FBS, EKU aims ‘to compete at the highest level we can’ SEC will feature 10 new OCs in 2023. Did Kentucky make the best hire with Liam Coen? Why Mitch Barnhart, UK are still in favor of an 8-game SEC schedule with Oklahoma, Texas Where Kentucky football’s 2023 recruiting class finished in national, SEC rankings

al.com Remains found in Alabama creek in 2021 confirmed to be Auburn student missing since 1976 Published: Feb. 19, 2023, 6:18 p.m. ~3 minutes By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com Remains discovered more than a year ago in an east Alabama creek have positively been identified as an Auburn University student who disappeared in 1976. Georgia’s Troup County Coroner’s Office on Sunday said they were notified Sunday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that the remains were those of Kyle Clinkscales, who was 22 when he vanished on Jan. 27, 1976. The remains were positively identified through DNA testing. Coroner’s officials said the cause and manner of Clinkscales’ death have not been determined. The investigation is ongoing by the Troup County Sheriff’s Office. The DNA results confirmed what investigators suspected since the discovery of the remains. Clinkscales disappeared when he left LaGrange, Ga.,to go back to Auburn, where he was a junior. Clinkscales reportedly left the Moose Club in his hometown of LaGrange, where he was bartender, about 11 p.m. to drive back to Auburn. He never arrived on campus and his white, two-door 1974 Ford Pinto Runabout was never seen again either. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, deputies with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office were notified of a what appeared to be a car submerged in a creek off of County Road 83, approximately one mile from County Road 388, in LaFayette. Once they arrived on scene, they recovered the car from the water, and it appeared to be an older model Ford passenger car with a 1976 Georgia tag with a Troup County decal. Chambers County officials contacted the Troup County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in trying to run the tag information. The Troup County tag office was contacted, and investigators began to check for any records they may have had. The learned the tag and VIN matched that of a 1974 Ford Pinto Runabout which was the same car that Clinkscales was last seen driving on the night of January 27th. Former Troup County Sheriff Donny Turner told AL.com in 2021 that that he long ago made sure DNA samples were taken from Clinkscales’ parents, Louise and John Clinkscales in case they were dead by the time a body was found. He said they also obtained his dental records early on “in case this day ever came.” Both of Clinkscales’ parents died before the remains were found. Turner said he thinks he knows what happened to Clinkscales. “I have no doubt in mind he was killed,” he said. i thought some of you older folks might be interested in this. i was serving in the military when this happened so i do not remember it. this was back when moby dick was a minnow and golf had hair.............

Auburn Football Can Auburn elevate its pass rush and run defense this season? Published: Feb. 19, 2023, 2:13 p.m. Auburn DL transfer Jayson Jones NEW! By Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com We’re taking a look at each position group as Auburn prepares to open spring practice on Feb. 27. The sixth of an 11-part series looks at the defensive line. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, and defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett are working to retool a defensive line that’s losing Colby Wooden, who was one the Tigers’ leaders in sacks and tackles for losses last season. Marquis Burks and Marcus Bragg are also leaving the program. Freeze emphasized developing the defensive line since he got hired. He and Garrett have added several talented athletes in the transfer portal and through high school recruiting. Lawrence Johnson, Mosiah Nasili-Kite, and Justin Rodgers are three players with Power 5 experience who can fill roles for the Tigers. Read More Auburn Football: Will Hugh Freeze’s offensive line rebuild work in 2023 at Auburn? Is Jarquez Hunter ready to be a feature running back at Auburn? Rivaldo Fairweather leads a developing tight-end group at Auburn Jayson Jones and Marcus Harris are returning starters. Jones transferred from Oregon and posted 28 tackles as a nose tackle last season. The Birmingham native relished returning to his home state. Harris had two sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 30 tackles last season. Jones and Harris returning bode well for the Tigers building depth on the defensive line. Projected Depth Chart: Nose Tackle: Jayson Jones Zykevious Walker Justin Rogers DE: Mosiah Nasili-Kite Quientrail Jamison-Travis Lawrence Johnson DT: Marcus Harris Jeffrey M’Ba Defensive linemen could play multiple positions: Tobechi Okoli, Enyce Sledge, Stephen Johnson, Wilky Denaud, and Darron Reed. Keldric Faulk. Departed: Colby Wooden. Marquis Burks and Marcus Bragg. Outlook: Garrett coached with Freeze at Liberty. His unit led the country in tackles for loss (109) and ranked third in sacks (41) last season. Replicating that in the SEC won’t be easy. However, Garrett has a track record that lends toward quick improvement at Auburn. Walker is a talented player who entered the portal but came back to play under Freeze and Garrett. If Auburn can unlock Walker, they could create a dominant line. Auburn was 101st in the country last season in tackles for loss and 78th in sacks. Roberts wants to improve those numbers, which he hopes will lead to the Tigers getting more turnovers. Auburn was one of the worst teams in America in creating turnovers. The third down rate wasn’t great, leading to Auburn giving up points under challenging situations. “You control that with attempts at the ball. Schematically, you control some of that with how tackles for losses occur. Tackles for loss typically occur from D-line movement, stunts, and pressure. If you’re going to get them, you’ve got to do it,” Roberts told reporters leading into spring football. “If you’re going to sit in a base defense, the only way you get them is if my guy is better than your guy and whoops him and gets a TFL. But the nature we play, we’re going to go after it and get tackles for loss, get behind the sticks, and put us in favorable downs.” How Auburn improves the tackles for loss, sacks, and fumbles created will start up front. If Auburn can get elevated performance from the defensive line, there’s a possibility of a winning season. If not, well, we watched that movie last season. Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.

Auburn falls to Indiana on Sunday to drop Game 3 Jason Caldwell 4–5 minutes AUBURN, Alabama—A transfer from Western Kentucky where he had started just four games, Indiana starting pitcher Luke Sinnard was the story of Sunday’s game at Plainsman Park as he allowed just one run on five hits in five innings in an 11-2 Hoosier win over the Auburn Tigers to salvage game three of the series. Hunter Jessee had four hits for the Hoosiers while Carter Mathison's first inning grand slam proved to be all Indiana would need on this day. One of the few bright spots of the day for the Tigers was the pitching of true freshman Zach Crotchfelt. Coming on in relief with Auburn down big, the New Jersey native pitched three and one/thirds innings of scoreless baseball before Indiana plated two runs off reliever Hayden Murphy. While his line finished with two earned runs allowed in three and two/thirds innings, Crotchfelt showed the ability to compete said coach Butch Thompson. "It was the confidence," Thompson said. "He had it and he went after them. He threw more than one pitch for a strike. A secondary pitch was landing. The fastball was fouled off late and got on guys. I thought for a time and a half through the lineup, that was very competitive." Other than Crotchfelt’s outing there wasn’t much to be happy about for the veteran coach. Bryson Ware had three hits for the Tigers while true freshman Ike Irish added two hits on a day when Auburn had just eight total hits as a team. Bryson Ware had three hits on Sunday for the Tigers. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Making his first career appearance, Auburn true freshman Drew Nelson will want to forget his first game experience at Plainsman Park. After getting a ground ball for the first out of the game, Nelson would retire just one more batter in his outing and left the game trailing 4-0 in the first following the Mathison grand slam. Going just two/thirds of an inning, Nelson allowed four runs on just two hits, but walked three and hit a batter to take the loss. Up four runs early, Indiana added a single run in the second off reliever Christian Herberholz and three more in the third when Parker Carlson came on in relief. Trailing 8-0, Auburn finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning and the two hitting stars of the day were both involved. Leading off the inning, Irish singled for one of his two hits on the day. With two outs, Kason Howell singled to keep the inning going and bring Ware to the plate. Staying hot to open the year, Ware singled home Irish to put Auburn on the board and give them some life, but that would be all the Tigers did against Sinnard the rest of the way. Indiana finished things off early by scoring two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth to take a 10-run lead. Auburn's Justin Kirby added his second home run of the weekend when he blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth, but that would be it as Auburn dropped the Sunday contest. Seven Auburn pitchers combined to allow 11 runs on 14 hits in Sunday's game. Only true freshman Hayden Murphy and redshirt freshman Trevor Horne didn't allow a run. Murphy pitched two/thirds of an inning while Horne pitched the final one and two/thirds for the Tigers. "I think we walked seven guys today," Thompson said. "If you're doing that and getting hit, that's a poor recipe for trying to get much done. It never happened today." 12COMMENTS Auburn returns to action on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. against UNA at Toyota Field in Huntsville. BOX SCORE

i will have what she is smoking or those edibles.............thy must be fire! lol

How can Auburn basketball start closing tight games? It starts at the foul line Richard Silva, Montgomery Advertiser 4–5 minutes After Wendell Green Jr. made his only free throw in Auburn basketball's game against Vanderbilt on Saturday, the Tigers took a one-point lead with 1:53 remaining. It was yet another chance for coach Bruce Pearl's team to win a close game late, something that's escaped Auburn over the last month. But just as was the case against Alabama on Feb. 11 − and Texas A&M on Feb. 7, Tennessee on Feb. 4 and West Virginia on Jan. 28 − the Tigers stumbled late, falling to the Commodores, 67-65, in Memorial Gymnasium. It's Auburn's (18-9, 8-6 SEC) sixth loss in its last eight games, with five of those defeats coming by single digits and four coming down to the final minute. Dropping the matchup with Vanderbilt was the most heartbreaking yet. The Tigers came in after trouncing Missouri on Tuesday, 89-56, and could've been tied for third place in the SEC with a win. Instead, they're a game back from a top-four seed with just four contests remaining. JOHN COHEN:Exclusive John Cohen Q&A: Auburn AD discusses Hugh Freeze, Butch Thompson, facilities upgrades THE LOSS:Auburn basketball stunned late by Vanderbilt as Tigers guards go silent Pearl was asked about what the message to his team will be following another tight loss. After a five-second pause and a shake of his head, he responded: "To win at the end, you've got to get stops and you have to get to the foul line. We never even got into the bonus in the second half. You win by getting stops and getting to the free-throw line." Johni Broome was 3-of-4 on his free throws. The rest of the team finished 2-of-6. Conversely, the Commodores went to the charity stripe 27 times. Fifth-year big Liam Robbins made good on 17 of his 20 free throws, helping him finish with a game-high 24 points. After Auburn's loss to the Crimson Tide − a matchup that saw Alabama get to the free-throw line 17 times in the second half − Pearl stressed the need for his team to defend without fouling. He doubled down two days later previewing the Missouri game. Vanderbilt guard Trey Thomas (12) shoots past Auburn forward Johni Broome (4) during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. "Alabama's a tough cover," Pearl said Monday. "They're tough getting downhill. Texas A&M, obviously, was a tough cover (on Feb. 7). They shot 39 free throws. Alabama shot 17 in the second half. It's just hard to win. ... We have to compete to stay in front without fouling." Auburn has four games remaining, and three of those matchups will be against teams in the top four of the SEC. There's still opportunity left for the Tigers to pick up a big win or two ahead of the conference tournament, but time is quickly running out. "Once again, really disappointed," Pearl said of the Vanderbilt loss. "(I) thought we played well enough defensively. (We) hold Vanderbilt six below their (season average) at home. Hold them to 20 field goals. I'm not sure if Vanderbilt has won a game (this season) where they've had only 20 field goals." The Commodores were previously 0-3 in those contests: losses to Grambling State, Alabama and Kentucky. In those games, they were outscored 234-159, and only against Grambling State did they have 15 or more free throws, matching the total against Auburn with 27. Against Kentucky and Alabama, Vanderbilt went to the free-throw line just 12 and 11 times, respectively. "Liam Robbins was a handful," Pearl said. "He made three two-point baskets and was 17 for 20 from the foul line. Hard to beat." Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

auburntigers.com Richard Greene rejoins Auburn athletics staff Auburn University Athletics ~3 minutes AUBURN, Ala. – Richard Greene has returned to Auburn athletics in the role of senior associate athletics director for administration, Auburn athletics director John Cohen announced Thursday. Greene, who served as Auburn's assistant athletics director for compliance from September, 2019, through August, 2022, will serve as the football sport administrator and will work with the football program in the areas of administration, legislative affairs and compliance. Greene will also serve as Auburn football's liaison to campus services. "Richard is an outstanding addition to our executive team who brings a wealth of experience with him," Cohen said. "Richard is a thoughtful, creative and hard-working leader. His institutional and conference knowledge is an invaluable asset to Auburn as we navigate the future of college athletics." Greene comes back to Auburn after serving as senior director of compliance and academics for the American Athletic Conference since September, 2022. At the AAC, he provided rules interpretive guidance to the member schools and helped plan the conference's annual academic symposium. "First, I would like to thank John Cohen, Rich McGlynn and Hugh Freeze for giving me the opportunity to return to Auburn University and make a difference in the lives of these young athletes, coaches and staff," Greene said. "I would also like to give a special thanks to the people of the American Athletic Conference, especially Ellen Ferris, Karl Hicks and Michael Aresco, for their mentoring and support during this transition." During his previous tenure at Auburn, Greene provided NCAA rules and interpretive guidance to the intercollegiate athletics program. He helped navigate complex eligibility situations involving international student-athletes and also served as the department's point person during the inception of name, image and likeness legislation. From 2014-19, Greene worked at the University of Hawaii at Manoa as compliance coordinator and later director of compliance. He served compliance internships with the NCAA (2013-14) and Ohio State (2012-13). A native of Dallas, Texas, he earned a bachelor's degree in print journalism and political science from Southern California, a master's degree in sport and exercise management from Ohio State and a law degree from Texas. Greene is a licensed attorney in the states of Alabama and Texas.

Will Hugh Freeze’s offensive line rebuild work in 2023 at Auburn? Published: Feb. 18, 2023, 1:33 p.m. 4–5 minutes We’re taking a look at each position group as Auburn prepares to open spring practice on Feb. 27. The fifth of an 11-part series looks at the offensive line. In his introductory press conference, Hugh Freeze clarified that improving Auburn’s offensive line would be high on his list of priorities in recruiting high players for the long term and the transfer portal for results this football season. “We need the most help on O-line; we’re continuing to develop that, Freeze said. “I think this is a big man league. If you don’t have guys on both sides up front, then it’s very difficult for these athletic receivers, running backs, and quarterbacks. Our emphasis will always be on making sure those rooms are correct.” Read More Auburn Football: Is Jarquez Hunter ready to be a feature running back at Auburn? Rivaldo Fairweather leads a developing tight-end group at Auburn Does Auburn have a star wide receiver in the program? - al.com Freeze and new offensive line coach Jake Thornton signed Gunnar Britton (Western Kentucky), Dillion Wade (Tulsa), Avery Jones (East Carolina), and junior college lineman Izavion Miller during the transfer portal open window leading into spring football. Adding Britton, Wade, Jones, and Miller brings experience to an offensive line that lost several contributors to graduation after last season. Projected Depth Chart: LT Gunner Britton super senior, LG Jeremiah Wright senior, C Avery Jones super senior, RG Izavion Miller junior, RT Dillon Wade junior Kameron Stutts, super senior; Jalil Irvin super senior, Tate Johnson, redshirt junior, Avery Jernigan, redshirt junior, Colby Smith, redshirt sophomore, Garner Langlo, redshirt sophomore. EJ Harris redshirt freshman, Connor Lew true freshman, Clay Wedin true freshman, Bradyn Joiner true freshman, Tyler Johnson true freshman. Departed: Nick Brahms, Austin Troxell, Brandon Council, Alec Jackson. Outlook: There might not be a coach more thankful for the transfer portal and NIL than Freeze at Auburn. If not for the portal, Auburn would’ve had to replace four of the five offensive line positions with players with minimal experience playing college football. Freeze wants to carry 16 offensive linemen on his roster. Auburn, because of recruiting issues that go back to Guz Malzhan’s tenure and continued into Bryan Harsin’s less than two-year stint, had seven offensive linemen in the program when Freeze arrived. Freeze signed nine offensive linemen with a mix of high school and transfer portal players. He told reporters that the Tigers hope to sign one more big guy when the transfer portal opens after spring football. “I have a certain belief in roster management and how to build a roster. I thought we got a really good mixture of young kids that we signed in high school,” Freeze said. We had some that were mid-year enrollees. And obviously, the portal guys who have played a lot of football, you depend on them to play. No one gets a starting job, but you don’t recruit those guys to sit around, for sure.” It’s hard to know how an offensive line with players from so many places will gel together. A potential bonus for Freeze is that Wade played under new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery when Montgomery was the head coach at Tulsa. Wade was the third-ranked offensive tackle in the portal with two years of eligibility. Auburn’s 2023 success or failure will start with how quickly this group can gel together. It’ll make life easier for whoever wins the quarterback competition if they’re good. A good offensive line will open up running lanes for Jarquez Hunter and the other running backs. If the offensive line struggles, it’ll be hard to envision the outcomes for the Tigers improving much from last season. Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group

auburntigers.com Men grab second, Women seventh to close out SEC Swim and Dive Championships Auburn University Athletics 12–16 minutes COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Auburn Swim and Dive rounded out the 2023 SEC Championships and did so with authority. The men tallied 1089.5 points to claim second, its highest finish since 2016. Meanwhile, the Women's 688 points and seventh-place finish were 104 more than a season ago. The Auburn women, and specifically Daisy Platts, could not have kicked off Saturday's morning session any better. Platts qualified No. 1 overall in the 200 back with the fourth-fastest performance in school history at 1:51.63. Meanwhile, Meghan Lee continued her strong SEC showing, grabbing a spot in the B final. Kensley Merritt and Ellie Waldrep each managed a spot in the C final. Platts dialed up a 1:52.62 to finish fourth in the evening. Lee dropped time to pick up 14th, Waldrep notched 20th and Merritt came in at 24th. Fresh off a school record leading the 100 back in the 400 medley relay a night ago, Nate Stoffle backed up his performance with another solid one in the 200 back, qualifying fourth overall. Older brother Aidan Stoffle made it a brotherly affair in the A final, snagging the sixth spot. Lleyton Smith slid his way into the B final and Andrew Simmons made his way into the C final. Aidan would go sub-1:40.00 in the finals to secure fourth. Nate grabbed seventh while Smith secured 13th and Simmons dropped time to grab 19th. Both Polina Nevmovenko and Lexie Mulvihill dropped time in the 100 free to secure spots in the evening's B final. Nevmovenko kept shaving off time in the finals, swimming a 48.55 to slide up to 10th place. Mulvihill would finish in 16th. On the men's side, Logan Tirheimer's sprint program continued to shine, leading the way with a 42.59 and 10th overall in qualifying. Freshman Kalle Makinen was right behind him with a 42.62. Tirheimer also got the best of Makinen in the final, grabbing 14th while Makinen hit the wall in 16th. Four Tigers earned a second swim in the women's 200 breast. Junior Brynn Curtis led the pack at 2:10.56 to slide into the B final. Hannah Ownbey joined Curtis in the B final as well. Freshman Ainsley Jones and sophomore Anastasia Makarova gave the Orange and Blue some representation in the C final. Swimming side-by-side in the final, Ownbey and Curtis swam identical 2:11.24's to finish tied for 15th. Makarova won the C final at 2:11.40 and Jones grabbed 19th overall. Much like the 100 breast, it was job done for Reid Mikuta in the 200. His 1:53.54 was the fifth-fastest time in prelims. Henry Bethel and Jacques Rathle each made the B final. Rathle's 1:55.76 makes him the 10th-fastest performer in program history. Mikuta dropped 0.41 seconds in the final to hit the wall sixth. Rathle and Bethel would dial up 15th and 16th finishes, respectively. Auburn's distance group did not disappoint in the mile on Saturday. Emily Hetzer paced the bunch, as she has all season long, swimming a season-best 16:03.46 to grab seventh. Averee Preble also went for a season-best time, hitting the wall at 16:11.93 to finish 16th. Mason Mathias didn't stop the distance party. His 14:42.99 in the mile is only second to volunteer assistant Zane Grothe and earned him fourth place. Meanwhile, Grant Davis' 14:51.37 came in at eighth and is now the third-fastest performance in school history. Nevmovenko, Mulvihill, Rebekah Hamilton and Platts closed out the meet with a solid swim in the 400 free relay. Their 3:15.22 was good enough for eighth. Tirheimer, Makinen, Ryan Husband and Aidan Stoffle did the honors for the men. The quartet hit the wall in sixth with a pace of 2:50.75 DIVING Walker Creedon loves the Platform and it showed on Saturday in College Station. The Virginia transfer easily slid into finals with a 380.15. However, it was Whit Andrus who would make the biggest, or smallest, splash of the prelims. Needing a strong final dive, Andrus delivered and qualified eighth with a 340.85. Hunter Kebler grabbed points as well, finishing 12th overall. Creedon kept the good vibes rolling into finals. He bested his prelims score with a 381.70 to come away with fourth place. Andrus would ultimately grab eighth. WHAT WOCHOMURKA HAD TO SAY Head coach, Ryan Wochomurka "This meet is a challenge, four and a half days of racing with plenty of ups and downs. It's a marathon. I saw a lot of growth on our women's side. We may not have moved up in the standings from where we were last year but gaining 104 points shows the development of where this team is headed. We're forming an identity and we're figuring out what it takes to be competitive in this league and to be competitive nationally. I'm excited about what we learned this week. "For the men, it was a goal all year long to come back to this meet and be competitive with the top teams in this conference. If you can be near the top of the SEC, you can be competitive nationally, and that's what they're here to do. That's what this program deserves, it's what our fans deserve and it's what our alumni deserve. "The exciting part is, it was nowhere perfect. There's a lot of room for improvement. There's a lot of room for growth. If we can clean those things up in the next three or four weeks as we head to the NCAA's, we're going to have a really exciting showing. Overall, I'm exceptionally proud of how everyone battled through the full four and a half days." SCORES Men 1. Florida – 1488.5 2. Auburn – 1089.5 3. Tennessee – 1035.5 4. Texas A&M - 1018 5. Georgia – 828,5 6. Missouri – 725.5 7. Alabama – 667 8. Kentucky - 514 9. South Carolina – 458.5 10. Louisiana State – 337 Women 1. Florida - 1255 2. Tennessee – 950.5 3. Kentucky – 946 4. Alabama – 791 5. Louisiana State - 775 5. Georgia – 756 7. Auburn - 688 8. South Carolina – 587 9. Texas A&M – 583.5 10. Arkansas - 530 11. Missouri - 418 12. Vanderbilt - 169 SEC MEDALS Silver 800 Free Relay (M) – Bonson, Mathias, Husband, Gadgaard (6:12.39) 100 Backstroke (M) – Nate Stoffle (45.04) 100 Butterfly (W) – Meghan Lee (51.01) Bronze 200 Medley Relay (M), bronze – A. Stoffle, Mikuta, N. Stoffle, Makinen (1:22.98) 200 Free Relay (M) – Tirheimer, Makinen, Deliyiannis, N. Stoffle (1:15.94) 400 Medley Relay (M) – N. Stoffle, Mikuta, A. Stoffle, Makinen (3:03.03) 100 Breaststroke (M) – Reid Mikuta (51.22) SCHOOL RECORDS 800 Free Relay (M) – Bonson, Mathias, Husband, Gadgaard (6:12.39) 100 backstroke (M) – Nate Stoffle (44.89*) UP NEXT Those that haven't met NCAA qualification standards will head toward a last chance meet next weekend. Meanwhile, the divers will head to Knoxville, TN for zones March 5-8. The Women's NCAA Championship is slated for March 15-18 in Knoxville, while the Men's is scheduled for March 22-25 in Minneapolis. Players Mentioned Whit Andrus Diving Sophomore Henry Bethel Breaststroke/IM Sophomore Brynn Curtis Breaststroke/IM Junior Grant Davis Freestyle Sophomore Rebekah Hamilton Sprint Free Sophomore Emily Hetzer Distance Free Fifth Year Ryan Husband Freestyle Junior Hunter Kebler Diving Junior Meghan Lee Backstroke/IM Junior Anastasia Makarova Breaststroke Sophomore

secsports.com No. 21 Auburn's offense contributes to run-rule wins 5–6 minutes Tiger Invitational - Auburn, Alabama 1 day ago Photo: Auburn Athletics AUBURN, Ala. - Offense came to play on a chilly Friday night at Jane B. Moore Field as No. 21 Auburn softball (6-1) knocked off Austin Peay and Villanova with a pair of run-rule victories at Jane B. Moore Field to open the Tiger Invitational. Plating eight runs in the second inning, Auburn routed Austin Peay (1-4) by an 11-1 final in the Tigers' opening contest. Sophomore Maddie Penta led the way in the circle against the Wildcats (4-2) to pick up the fifth shutout win of the season for the Tiger pitching staff. Senior Maia Engelkes came up with the walk-off fielder's choice as Auburn knocked off Villanova 8-0. Both contests ended in five innings. "Offensively, we did a good job of moving our runners and getting clutch hits with runners on base," said head coach Mickey Dean. "I also thought all our pitchers did a good job today. They got settled in and started working ahead and so it was smooth sailing." At the plate, Bri Ellis and Nelia Peralta led the offense as the duo both closed the night 3-for-4 at the plate. Peralta was one of three Tigers to record three RBI across Friday's doubleheader, joining Lindsey Garcia and Aspyn Godwin. Godwin, Garcia and Peralta all slugged home runs on Friday night. Annabelle Widra earned the victory over the Governors to improve to 2-0. Widra allowed one hit and an unearned run over her three innings of work while striking out four. Emmah Rolfe and Icess Tresvik both toss scoreless frames in the win. Penta was once again virtually untouchable in the circle. Over four innings of work, Penta fanned nine batters and allowed a lone hit. Shelby Lowe tossed the final frame, striking out two as she retired the side in order. "I don't feel like I was at my best today, but this team was there for me," said Penta. "They had my back like they always do, so I knew we were ready to go." Auburn continued its trend of first inning offense against the Governors. Peralta and Ellis set the table with a pair of singles. Aspyn Godwin put the Tigers on the scoreboard with her team-leading third home run of the season. "This year, my main focus is to stay relaxed and stay confident and be there when my team needs me," Godwin said. "I saw that pitch right where I like it, and I took it for a ride." Three straight singles from the bottom of the order set the table for the Tigers in the second. Peralta, Carlee McCondichie and Bri Ellis kept the hit streak moving as the trio connected with three straight singles to plate four runs. Auburn took advantage of an Austin Peay miscue to scratch across the fifth run of the second inning before Garcia delivered the big boom with a three-run homer to right field to give Auburn an 11-0 advantage after two. A pair of Tiger errors in the top of the third proved costly as the Governors manufactured an unearned run in the top of the third to cut the lead to 11-1. The Governors had another scoring chance in the fourth, but a heads up play from McCondichie to flip back to first on a pop up retired the side with a double play. Tresvik entered the game in the fifth, tossing a perfect frame to freeze the Governors and preserve the 11-1 victory. First-inning offense came into play against Villanova during Friday's nightcap. Perata led of the game for the Tigers with a solo home run. KK McCrary plated the second run of the game all by herself. After leading off the second inning with a single, McCrary swiped second before taking third on an overthrow to the bag. She'd come around to score on a wild pitch. Tresvik extended the lead to 3-0, driving in a run off a ground ball to short. The Tigers broke up the scoring in the bottom of the third. McCondichie led off the inning, legging out a bunt single back to the circle before advancing to second on an errant throw. Ellis drove her in with a single to left. Using a fielder's choice and a pair of singles to load the bases, Jessie Blaine traded another out for run on a grounder to second. Making her return to the lineup during Friday's doubleheader, Denver Bryant pushed the lead to 7-0 as she cleared the bags with a single to right center. Leading off the bottom of the fifth with a pair of singles to move the winning run into scoring position, Engelkes drove a ball to third base. The Wildcats tried to make the play at the plate, but Garcia scored safely as the Tigers walked off their third consecutive walk-off victory. Auburn returns to the diamond on Saturday with a doubleheader slate against Villanova and Dayton. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT. Both contests are available on the SEC Network+.

Pitchers dominate, Garcia shines as Auburn softball team runs away with two more Phillip Marshall 4–5 minutes Lindsey Garcia hit a grand slam and a two-run double Sunday. (Photo: Auburn University) AUBURN, Alabama – Through 3 ½ innings Auburn’s softball team was locked in a fight with Dayton. Auburn was locked in fight with Dayton. The Tigers had taken a 2-0 lead in the first inning, only to see the Flyers tie it in the second. It seemed it was going down to the wire. Auburn coach Mickey Dean was concerned enough that, after starter Annabelle Widra gave up a leadoff hit in the top of the fourth, he went to ace Maddie Penta. And then the fourth inning happened. Bri Ellis and Aubrie Lisenby walked. Ellis was replaced by pinch-runner Abbey Smith. The pitcher’s spot was up. If Dean had pinch-hit for Penta, she could not have returned to the game. She went to the plate for the first time in her Auburn career and put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners. Denver Bryant hit a grounder to shortstop, scoring Lisenby from third. The shortstop booted it and, by the time the play was over, Smith had scored when home plate went unguarded and Bryant was standing on third. Nelia Peralta singled home a run and Lindsey Garcia drove in another with a double over the right fielder’s head. The game was tight no longer. Auburn led 7-2 and went on to run-rule the Flyers 10-2 in five innings. Earlier in the day, Auburn beat Villanova for the second consecutive time, 9-3. "We used four of our five pitchers, and everyone got an at-bat,” Dean said. “We gained some good experience today. I saw a lot of people doing a lot of good things. I didn't see a lot of people pressing. We had people willing to come into the game and be patient and get the job done, which you don't always see, so that was good." Bri Ellis, who broke Auburn’s freshman record last season, led off with her first home run of the season, a booming shot to center. Penta batted again, missed on two bunts and drew a walk. She scored in Jessie Blaine’s triple to right-center. Blaine scored the game-ending run on a wild pitch. For Ellis, it was a welcome relief when the ball sailed over the fence. “Finally,” Ellis said. “Oh, my goodness. I felt like each at-bat was getting better. It was a little frustrating because it wasn’t going my way. Finally, it started to go my way and one finally went over the fence. I am happy that is over with and hope it can continue on.” Penta got the win to improve to 5-0 and still has not given up a run this season. Widra pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and two runs. She gave up no hits and struck out three in two innings. Garcia and Ellis had two hits apiece for Auburn. Ellis drove in three runs and Garcia two to finish her big day. “It was fantastic,” Garcia said. “It was so much fun. We trust each other. We are very comfortable with each other and know we have each other’s back, no matter what. I think this team is very special. This team is ready to win and put Auburn completely on the map. This season is going to be something special.” In the first game, Shelby Lowe got her first start of the season and her first win of the season. She gave up two runs, one earned, on five hits. Penta pitched two hitless innings, striking out five. Freshman Emmah Rolfe, giving up a run on no hits and three walks in the seventh. Icess Tresvik hit her second Auburn home run. Peralta and Carlee McCondichie had two hits apiece. 1COMMENTS Auburn improved to 8-1 and plays its final game of the Tiger Invitational on Sunday at 2;30 p.m. against Austin Peay.

247sports.com Gonzalez dominant as Auburn mows down Indiana to take Game 2 Jason Caldwell 6–7 minutes AUBURN, Alabama—Auburn got five scoreless innings from junior right-hander Joseph Gonzalez and three hits and three runs batted in from senior outfielder Bobby Peirce as the Tigers beat Indiana 6-1 on Saturday to take the first two games of the series from the Hoosiers. Coach Butch Thompson's team will go for the sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m. The story of the game for Auburn was the pitching of Gonzalez. Limited in the preseason and only throwing two innings to live hitters before Saturday’s start against Indiana, Auburn was hoping to get at least a pair of innings from Gonzalez to get his season going. They got much more than that as the big junior was dominant against the Hoosiers. Allowing a leadoff single that was erased by a double play to end the top of the first, Gonzalez needed just five pitches in the second inning and was officially in cruise control. Mowing the Hoosiers down the next three innings, he left with Auburn leading 4-0 in front of a huge crowd at Plainsman Park. In his five innings of work, the Puerto Rico native threw just 41 total pitches with 32 going for strikes to set the tone on the mound. Chase Allsup allowed a run on two hits in one and two/thirds innings while TCU transfer Tommy Vail earned the save, pitching two scoreless innings to finish things off. “He’s only faced hitters last Sunday for the first time," Thompson said. "Of course, he’s thrown bullpens, but he didn’t try to do too much. His one strikeout came the second batter of the game. Five complete innings, less than 50 pitches. We all thought how impressive that was. After the second batter of the game he retired seven in a row via the ground ball on the infield. I think he wound up in five innings having 11 or 12 ground balls on the infield and I think we caught every one of them except for one. He really understands that concept of 9-on-1.” The hitting star of the game, Peirce said it all started with Gonzalez on the mound. "Think our pitchers have done a great job getting the ball in the zone for the most part, and Joseph did great today," Peirce said. "I mean, threw less than 50 pitches in five innings. It's one of the better outings I've seen for somebody that really hasn't thrown that much. It was awesome." Joseph Gonzalez was dominant on Saturday (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Following a scoreless first for the Tigers, they looked like they would break through in the second. With Nate LaRue at second following a walk and a stolen base, Ware smashed a one-out double towards the Indiana bullpen in right-center. With the center fielder getting a glove on the ball, LaRue was moving back towards the bag at second. That kept him from being able to score, but Ware didn’t slow down around second and ran into the out. Auburn would fail to score in the inning, but that would change in the third. Following a walk to junior college second baseman Caden Green, Peirce lined a single to right field to bring Cole Foster to the plate. Doing his job, Foster put down a bunt to move the runners into scoring position for Irish. Continuing his hot start, the true freshman blasted a double just in front of the scoreboard in left field to score both runners and give Gonzalez a 2-0 lead to work with. One inning later the Tigers would again use the bunt to set up the offense. Ware was hit by a pitch to start the inning and a walk to Brody Wortham brought Green to the plate. Just like Foster, he did his job with a good bunt to move the runners up for Peirce. That would prove to be a good move as he lined a single through the right side to score both runners and push the lead to four. After five scoreless innings and leading 4-0, Auburn went to the bullpen for sixth-year senior Tommy Sheehan, but it wouldn’t be his day. Walking the first batter he faced, Sheehan got a strikeout before a hit batter and another walk would load the bases with one out. Coming in with the game still very much in doubt, Isbell got a strikeout and a fly ball to end the inning and keep the lead at four. “That’s a vulnerable point, taking somebody out right there when you think he could probably get to the back end of a ballgame if his stuff stays set," Thompson said. "That created a vulnerable spot when you come out in the sixth inning and change pitchers. We were not in the strike zone right there and I thought one of the biggest competitive moments of the ballgame was Chase Isbell coming into the ballgame. Indiana was right where they wanted to be in the lineup at 3-4 and he set a slider on the first guy and was able to get a strikeout. The guy that had hit the homerun to the opposite field, he made a commitment to not let him get that swing off early. They went tight and got a fly ball to get out of that inning.” With some momentum after getting out of the jam, Green singled to start the bottom of the sixth to bring Peirce to the plate. Continuing his big day, Peirce lined a double down the left field line to score Green all the way from first. Peirce would take third on the throw to the plate and scored moments later on a Foster single back up the middle. Indiana finally got on the board in the top of the seventh with a single run off Isbell, but that would be it as Vail threw two scoreless innings to secure the win.

Gonzalez leads Auburn to clinch series vs. Indiana Auburn Athletics 3–4 minutes Indiana 1 6 12 hours ago Photo: Auburn Athletics AUBURN, Ala. - No. 17 Auburn jumped out early and never looked back in 6-1 win that secured the season-opening series against Indiana Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at Plainsman Park. Joseph Gonzalez (1-0, 0.00) needed only 41 pitches to get through 5.0 scoreless innings en route to the win. The junior righty faced just one batter over the minimum and induced 11 ground balls that results in 13 outs. "The fastball started working and he kept getting the swings he desired," Thompson said of Gonzalez. "It's really nice for an amateur pitcher to not stick with that breaking ball, trying to produce swing and miss. I think it shows a sign of maturity." "My main focus today was just throwing strikes and trusting my defense," Gonzalez added. "Once I noticed they were swinging at everything, I think they knew I was a strike thrower. Once they kept hitting ground balls, I just kept throwing." Bobby Peirce led the way from the plate with three hits and three RBI, matching his career high at Auburn in both categories. "That's one of our captains," Thompson said of Peirce. "If you're going to have a team that's going to continue to grow and play good baseball, your best players have to play well. Bobby is one of those players." "I really just tried to stay simple," Peirce added of his approach at the plate. "Yesterday I was trying to do too much, just getting around some balls. Today I went back to my approach of staying up the middle and letting my hands do the work." After allowing a leadoff single to start the game, Gonzalez retired eight straight batters to get through the third having thrown only 26 pitches. He worked a 1-2-3 second inning and needed just five pitches to retire the side before throwing only 10 pitches in the third. Auburn (2-0) started the scoring in the bottom of the third when Ike Irish picked up where he left off Friday night by splitting the gap in left center for a two RBI double. The Tigers doubled the lead an inning later. Bryson Ware and Brody Wortham reached on a hit-by-pitch and walk, respectively, before Caden Green moved both into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Peirce then stepped to the plate and ripped an 0-1 pitch through the left side to score both. After Gonzalez worked around an error and got through the fifth with one of his two double plays, Auburn went to the bullpen to start the sixth. Indiana (0-2) loaded the bases on two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but Chase Isbell inherited the bases-loaded, one-out jam and escaped it unscathed with a strikeout and flyout. Riding the momentum into the bottom of the frame, Peirce extended the lead with a double down the left field line, scoring Green from first, before Foster capped off Auburn's scoring with a RBI single back up the middle. Indiana cracked the scoreboard with a run in the top of the seventh, but Tommy Vail made his Auburn debut in the eighth and faced the minimum with a strikeout in the final two innings. Auburn's one through three hitters went a combined 5-for-11 with six RBI in the game, and Ware recorded multiple hits for the second time in as many games to start the season. The series finale between the Tigers and Hoosiers is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.