The Auburn Tigers had a miserable opening SEC a week ago against Vanderbilt in Nashville. Things don’t get much easier for [autotag]Butch Thompson[/autotag]’s squad this weekend as the No. 1 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks are due to visit Plainsmark Park for a three-game set.
With the nation’s No. 1 team looming, Auburn’s coach has shaken up his weekend rotation for the second straight week, this time not only changing up the order but the personnel as well.
After starting every series opener for the Tigers so far this season, junior Chase Allsup will get the ball on Saturday, giving way to fellow junior Conner McBride for the series opener.
McBride has been the most consistent Auburn hurler this season in limited work. He most recently threw 5 innings of 1-run, 2-hit ball against Troy on March 12. The San Diego, CA native leads all Auburn starters with a 2.41 ERA this season.
Allsup will take the hill in game 2 of the series as he attempts to bounce back from giving up 7 earned runs over 4 innings his last time out.
Junior Joseph Gonzalez is set to start for the second-straight Sunday after surrendering 3 runs (1 earned) over 3 1/3 innings of work last time out. Despite his 6.92 ERA, Gonzalez has been able to hold onto a rotation spot because of the recent struggles of left-hander Carson Myers. The UAB transfer was bumped out of the weekend rotation this week in favor of McBride.
𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Arkansas 💪#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/hlC513IPaL
— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) March 20, 2024
McBride. Allsup, Gonzalez, and the Tigers open up their series against Arkansas Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6 PM central.
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