Auburn Tigers Focus on Fast Start to Build Momentum in Crucial NCAA Regional Opener Against Central Connecticut State
The Auburn Tigers baseball team enters the NCAA Tournament with clear intentions and a sharpened sense of urgency. After an up-and-down regular season and an early exit in the SEC Tournament, head coach Butch Thompson’s squad is determined to reset and make a deep postseason run, starting with a strong performance against Central Connecticut State in the NCAA Regional opener. For a team that knows the importance of momentum in tournament play, Friday’s clash isn’t just another game—it’s the opportunity to lay the foundation for a potential regional championship.
Auburn, hosting its fourth regional under Thompson, brings with it a blend of seasoned leadership and young talent. While the Tigers didn’t finish the SEC season near the top of the standings, they have enough firepower to be a dangerous opponent in June. The emphasis, however, is on starting hot—something the Tigers have struggled with at times this year. Against a gritty Central Connecticut State team that has made a habit of being a thorn in the side of Power Five programs, Auburn cannot afford to ease into the game.
The Blue Devils, representing the Northeast Conference, are no strangers to the NCAA Tournament. They’ve become a frequent participant in the regionals in recent years under head coach Charlie Hickey. Though they may lack the high-end resources or national recognition of SEC teams, Central Connecticut plays with a chip on its shoulder and has pulled off notable upsets before. Their lineup is disciplined, their pitching is experienced, and their mindset is fearless—precisely the kind of underdog profile that has derailed many a higher-seeded team in past tournaments.
For Auburn, the key lies in controlling the tempo early. The Tigers need to put runs on the board in the opening innings and take away any belief Central Connecticut might bring into the game. A fast start would not only set the tone for the rest of the weekend but also energize the home crowd and reduce the pressure on the pitching staff. In tournament baseball, confidence is everything, and few things build confidence like an early lead.
On the mound, Auburn will turn to one of its most reliable arms to get things started. Thompson and his staff have yet to officially announce the starting pitcher, but it’s likely that either Joseph Gonzalez or Tanner Bauman will get the nod. Both have shown flashes of brilliance this season, and both are capable of navigating tough lineups. The coaching staff will weigh matchups, rest, and rhythm before making the call, but regardless of who takes the ball, the Tigers need early command of the strike zone and a minimized walk rate.
Auburn’s bullpen will also play a critical role. Throughout the season, the Tigers have relied on a combination of veterans and rising arms to close out games, often with mixed results. If the starter can deliver five or six solid innings, the bridge to the late-game relievers becomes much easier to manage. Expect to see arms like Will Cannon, John Armstrong, or even freshman fireballer Lucas Steele in high-leverage situations if the game remains close.
Offensively, Auburn has the pieces to put pressure on any pitching staff. The heart of the lineup features power threats like Ike Irish, who has emerged as a true middle-of-the-order bat with home run power and a solid approach. Kason Howell and Bobby Peirce have both contributed timely hits throughout the season, and their veteran presence adds an invaluable layer of poise during tight games. In tournament play, big innings are often sparked by experience, and Auburn has plenty in that department.
However, success won’t be achieved with power alone. The Tigers will need to execute situational hitting, take advantage of runners in scoring position, and avoid the type of strikeout-heavy innings that have plagued them in losses. Facing a team like Central Connecticut, which thrives on keeping games close and capitalizing on mistakes, Auburn cannot afford to give away outs.
Speed on the bases will also be a factor. Auburn has shown a willingness to push the envelope with aggressive base running, and that could be crucial against a fundamentally sound opponent. Turning singles into doubles, applying pressure with stolen base attempts, and taking the extra base on balls in the gap can force errors and open up scoring opportunities. It’s small-ball strategies like these that often separate winners from losers in tournament games.
Defensively, Auburn will look to tighten things up after some inconsistent fielding performances during SEC play. Solid defense up the middle—with Nate LaRue behind the plate, Cole Foster at shortstop, and Caden Green at second—will be vital to keeping Central Connecticut’s hitters in check. Avoiding costly errors and executing on bunt coverages and double plays can keep momentum on Auburn’s side and prevent innings from spiraling out of control.
Beyond the tactical side of things, there’s a psychological edge Auburn hopes to carry into Friday’s game. Hosting a regional is a significant advantage, and Plainsman Park can be an intimidating environment for visiting teams. The Tigers feed off the energy of their home crowd, and in a win-or-go-home setting, that home-field edge could be the difference in close contests. Thompson has often emphasized the emotional aspect of postseason play, and getting the crowd involved early could tip the scales in Auburn’s favor.
There’s also the memory of last year’s regional disappointment. Auburn hosted in 2023 but was eliminated in frustrating fashion, a result that still lingers in the minds of returning players. That experience could serve as motivation this time around, providing a reminder of how quickly the season can end if urgency isn’t there from pitch one. For seniors and MLB Draft hopefuls, this may be their final collegiate postseason. That sense of finality can sharpen focus and bring out the best in players who’ve been through the grind.
Central Connecticut, meanwhile, isn’t arriving just to soak in the atmosphere. They’ll bring a confident group led by standout players like junior first baseman Jayden Delucia and ace right-hander Devyn Wynne. They’ve handled pressure before, and their success in the Northeast Conference has given them plenty of experience in close games. Their formula is simple: keep the game close, force mistakes, and seize the big moment. Auburn will need to deny them that chance from the outset.
Should Auburn advance past the Blue Devils, the path only gets more challenging. The regional includes other strong teams, potentially even a national seed depending on the bracket, and navigating through multiple games in a short span requires depth, discipline, and execution. That’s why the Tigers’ opener is so important. Win, and you’re in control of the bracket. Lose, and you’re fighting through the losers’ bracket with limited pitching and thinner margins.
For a team like Auburn, with the resources, coaching, and talent to go far, falling short in the opening game would be a major setback. That’s why everything from the first pitch to the final out on Friday matters. In a tournament where Cinderella stories and heartbreak coexist, there’s no room for passivity.
Butch Thompson knows this. He’s led Auburn to Omaha before. He understands the intensity of regional baseball and the pressure his players will feel when they step onto the field. His message to the team has been consistent—start strong, play clean, and trust your preparation.
As Friday approaches, all eyes turn to how the Tigers respond. Will they seize the moment and take command early, or will they let nerves and inconsistency leave the door open for an upset? The answer may well define not just this weekend, but the legacy of Auburn’s 2025 season.
With the home crowd behind them, a talented lineup, and a coaching staff that has been here before, the Tigers have every reason to believe this can be the start of something special. But to make that belief reality, it all starts with Game One. And Auburn knows better than most—there’s no time to waste.
