It’s officially regional time on The Plains, and No. 4 Auburn is hosting one of the most anticipated regionals in the country. The Auburn Tigers are set to face a diverse field of opponents—NC State, Stetson, and Central Connecticut State—each bringing their own style and history to the Auburn Regional. For the Tigers and head coach Butch Thompson, this represents another chance to show why they’ve been among the most consistent programs in college baseball over the past several seasons.

Auburn finished the regular season and SEC Tournament with the kind of swagger and determination that has become their trademark under Thompson. They boast a lineup that can produce runs in bunches, a pitching staff that has shown flashes of dominance, and an overall confidence that comes from playing in the country’s toughest conference. But they know the road to Omaha won’t be easy.

The Tigers’ regional opener against Central Connecticut State should be a test of focus and discipline. The Blue Devils, representing the Northeast Conference, are no strangers to the postseason and enter the regional with a chip on their shoulder. They’ve won their conference tournament and have the kind of experience that can make them dangerous. In these early regional matchups, it’s not always about the high-profile names—it’s about playing your brand of baseball and not letting the moment get too big.

Auburn’s coaching staff has made it a point to hammer that message home. They know that hosting a regional is a privilege, not a right, and that the energy at Plainsman Park can cut both ways if they’re not careful. That’s why there’s been a sense of calm around the team this week. They’ve been here before, they’ve seen what can happen when you lose focus, and they’re determined to take it one game at a time.

One of the storylines for Auburn is how they’ll manage their pitching staff. The rotation has been solid, anchored by guys like Tommy Vail and Joseph Gonzalez, but the bullpen has had its ups and downs. In a regional setting, where you can play multiple games in just a few days, depth becomes crucial. Thompson has talked about the importance of trusting his relievers, even if it means rolling the dice in some high-leverage situations. He’s also hinted at the possibility of using an opener strategy in certain games, something Auburn experimented with during the SEC season.

At the plate, Auburn’s offensive firepower is led by Ike Irish, who has been a revelation in the leadoff spot. His ability to get on base and set the tone has been a huge factor in Auburn’s success this year. But it’s not just Irish—guys like Bryson Ware, Bobby Peirce, and Cole Foster have provided the kind of power and clutch hitting that can make any pitcher nervous. The Tigers can beat you in a lot of ways, whether it’s small ball, hitting the long ball, or putting pressure on the defense with their speed.

For Auburn, there’s also a sense of unfinished business. They’ve been to Omaha under Thompson, and they know what it takes to get there. But they also know that the path isn’t always straightforward. Last year’s heartbreaking loss in the super regional still stings for a lot of these players, and they’ve used that as fuel all season long. They’ve talked about wanting to leave a legacy, about wanting to be the team that finally brings home a national title for Auburn. This regional is just the first step in that journey.

But standing in their way are some talented teams. NC State, the No. 2 seed in the regional, is a program with a rich baseball tradition. The Wolfpack can swing it—they’ve got power throughout the lineup and a pitching staff that’s battle-tested from playing in the ACC. They’ve been in big games before and won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere at Auburn. For Auburn, that means they’ll need to be locked in from pitch one, knowing that any mistakes will be punished.

Stetson, the No. 3 seed, is another team that can’t be taken lightly. They play a fundamentally sound brand of baseball, and they’re well-coached. Stetson has a history of making noise in the postseason, and they’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with bigger programs. They’ll be looking to prove that again in this regional.

Then there’s Central Connecticut State, a team that comes in as the No. 4 seed but shouldn’t be overlooked. The Blue Devils know what it’s like to be the underdog, and they’re embracing that role. They’ve got a scrappy lineup that puts the ball in play and forces the defense to make plays. If Auburn isn’t sharp, they could find themselves in a dogfight.

Auburn fans are expected to pack Plainsman Park for the weekend, and the home-field advantage could be huge. There’s nothing quite like postseason baseball on The Plains—when the crowd is into it, when the weather is perfect, and when the stakes are high. It’s a special environment, and it’s one of the reasons Auburn has been so tough to beat at home over the years.

For the players, this is why they came to Auburn. Playing in a regional at home, with everything on the line, is what college baseball is all about. There’s a buzz around campus, a sense that something big could be brewing. You can feel it in the air, in the way the players go about their business, in the way the fans are already talking about making reservations for Omaha.

Of course, none of that happens without taking care of business this weekend. That’s the focus for Auburn: stay in the moment, trust the process, and play the kind of baseball that got them here in the first place. They’ve got the talent, the experience, and the hunger. Now it’s about execution.

There’s also a personal element to this regional for some of Auburn’s players. For seniors like Bryson Ware and Bobby Peirce, this is their last chance to play at Plainsman Park in front of the home crowd. They’ve been part of some incredible moments during their Auburn careers, and they want to add one more chapter to that story. You can see the urgency in the way they play, the way they lead, the way they talk about what it means to put on the Auburn uniform.

For the younger guys, this is a chance to write their own stories. Ike Irish, for example, has already shown he can be a difference-maker on the biggest stages. The freshman catcher has played beyond his years this season, and his leadership behind the plate has been crucial. Then there’s Cole Foster, who has been one of the steadiest players in the lineup all year. He’s not the loudest guy in the room, but he lets his bat and his glove do the talking.

On the mound, it’s going to be all hands on deck. Joseph Gonzalez has been the anchor of the rotation, but guys like Tommy Vail and Will Cannon are going to be just as important. And don’t forget about the bullpen—John Armstrong and Chase Allsup have been go-to arms in the late innings, and they’ll need to be at their best this weekend.

For Butch Thompson, this regional is another chance to show why he’s considered one of the best coaches in the game. Thompson has built Auburn into a perennial contender, and he’s done it with a mix of old-school toughness and modern thinking. He knows how to get the most out of his players, and he knows how to keep them loose in these big moments. His calm demeanor and attention to detail have been a big part of Auburn’s success, and they’ll be tested again this weekend.

There’s no doubt that the road to Omaha goes through Auburn this year. The Tigers have put themselves in a great position, but they also know nothing is guaranteed. In postseason baseball, anything can happen. A bad bounce, a missed opportunity, or a hot-hitting team can flip a game in an instant. That’s why the margin for error is so slim, and why every pitch, every at-bat, and every defensive play matters so much.

The players know it, the coaches know it, and the fans know it. That’s what makes this time of year so special. There’s a heightened sense of urgency, a recognition that this is what they’ve been working for all season long. For Auburn, it’s about embracing that pressure and using it as fuel.

There’s also a sense of pride in representing the SEC. Auburn has seen what it takes to get through a regional, and they know they’re going to get every team’s best shot. But they also know they’re battle-tested. They’ve played in front of hostile crowds, they’ve faced elite pitching, and they’ve come through it stronger.

This weekend is a chance to show the rest of the country what Auburn baseball is all about. It’s a chance to create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a chance to write another chapter in a program that has already achieved so much.

When the first pitch is thrown on Friday, it will be the culmination of months of hard work, sacrifice, and belief. And for Auburn, it’s another chance to chase a dream that’s been years in the making. There’s a long road ahead, but they’re ready for it.

For the players and coaches, this regional isn’t just another series. It’s a chance to leave a legacy, to do something truly special. That’s what they’re playing for. And if they can stay focused, play to their strengths, and trust in each other, there’s no telling how far this team can go.

In the end, that’s what postseason baseball is all about. It’s about rising to the occasion, about playing for something bigger than yourself, about seizing the moment when it comes. For Auburn, that moment is here. And if the past is any indication, they’re ready to embrace it.

The Plains will be electric this weekend, and the Auburn Tigers are determined to make the most of their home-field advantage. It’s been a journey to get to this point, and now the real fun begins. Auburn fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

As the Tigers take the field for the first pitch, they’ll do so knowing they have the talent, the coaching, and the heart to make a deep run. They’ll do so knowing that every pitch counts, every play matters, and every game is a chance to get one step closer to Omaha. That’s the beauty of this time of year. And that’s why this Auburn Regional is shaping up to be something really special.