Gamecocks Face Final SEC Road Test Against Auburn Tigers
The No. 13 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (24-18, 4-14 SEC) are set to travel to Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama, for their final Southeastern Conference road series of the 2025 season. They will face the Auburn Tigers (28-13, 9-9 SEC) in a crucial three-game series starting on Friday, April 25th. This series holds significant implications for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season and vie for positioning in the SEC standings and potential NCAA Tournament berths.
South Carolina enters the weekend looking to improve their standing in the SEC. Currently sitting at 14th in the conference with a 4-14 record, the Gamecocks have faced a challenging SEC schedule thus far. Despite their conference struggles, the Gamecocks have demonstrated their capabilities with an overall record of 24-18 and have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, including series wins against Kentucky, Ole Miss, LSU, and Georgia. These four SEC series wins mark their highest number since 2018, indicating a potential resurgence for the program. The Gamecocks’ national ranking of No. 13 underscores the talent on the roster, and they will be aiming to translate that talent into success on the road against a tough Auburn squad.
Auburn, meanwhile, holds a more favorable position in the SEC, currently tied for ninth with a 9-9 conference record. Their overall record stands at an impressive 28-13, and they are ranked No. 11 nationally by D1Baseball. The Tigers have been strong at home, boasting a 19-5 record at Plainsman Park this season. They have also shown their offensive firepower, having already surpassed their 2024 season totals in home runs and runs scored in fewer games. Auburn has scored ten or more runs in eight games this season and holds a perfect 8-0 record in those contests, highlighting their potential to explode offensively.
This weekend’s series marks the seventh ranked opponent Auburn will face in conference play this season, a testament to the challenging schedule in the SEC. For South Carolina, this series presents an opportunity to secure valuable road wins against a quality opponent and build momentum heading into the final weeks of the season.
Looking at the offensive statistics for South Carolina, the team has a .280 batting average, which ranks second to last in the SEC. They have hit 25 home runs and recorded 236 hits. Their on-base percentage stands at .392. Individually, Quincee Lilio leads the Gamecocks with a .400 batting average and 56 hits, also leading the team with 18 multi-hit games. Arianna Rodi provides the power in the lineup with a .755 slugging percentage, 13 home runs, and 42 RBIs.
Auburn’s offense has been more potent in terms of power, having hit 56 home runs as a team, the most since 2023. They have scored 10 or more runs eight times this season. Freshman AnnaLea Adams has been a standout, tying the program record for most home runs by a freshman with nine and currently riding a seven-game hitting streak. Icess Tresvik leads the team with 10 home runs and also has 16 stolen bases, ranking ninth in the SEC in that category.
On the pitching side, South Carolina boasts a team ERA of 2.77. Jori Heard leads the team with 14 wins and 88 strikeouts, holding a 2.61 ERA. Sam Gress has added 10 wins and leads the SEC with five saves, striking out 76 with a 2.53 ERA. The Gamecocks’ pitching staff has been a strong point for the team this season.
Auburn’s pitching staff has a 3.03 ERA, led by SJ Geurin, who is second in the SEC and 16th nationally with 18 wins. Geurin has been involved in 22 of Auburn’s 28 victories, either earning the win or the save, and leads the team with 82 strikeouts.
Historically, Auburn holds the advantage in the all-time series against South Carolina, leading 32-19. The Tigers have also won the last eight games against the Gamecocks. This historical dominance will likely add another layer of intensity to the weekend series.
The series schedule is set with the first game on Friday at 6:00 PM Central Time (7:00 PM Eastern Time). Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 2:00 PM Central Time (3:00 PM Eastern Time), and the series finale will be on Sunday at 1:00 PM Central Time (2:00 PM Eastern Time).
For South Carolina, this series is crucial for their postseason aspirations. While their national ranking suggests a talented team, their SEC record will need improvement to secure a favorable seed in the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. A strong showing against Auburn, particularly on the road, would be a significant boost to their confidence and their resume. They will need their offense to find more consistency and provide support for their strong pitching staff.
Auburn, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their strong home form and solidify their position in the upper half of the SEC standings. A series win against a ranked opponent like South Carolina would further enhance their NCAA Tournament credentials and give them momentum heading into the final weeks of the season. Their offensive firepower, combined with a solid pitching staff, makes them a formidable opponent at home.
The weekend series in Auburn promises to be a highly competitive and important matchup for both the No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks and the No. 11 Auburn Tigers. With postseason implications on the line and a history of Auburn’s dominance in the series, baseball fans can expect an intense and exciting three-game set on the Plains. South Carolina will be aiming to overcome their road struggles in the SEC and secure valuable wins, while Auburn will look to defend their home field and continue their strong season. The outcomes of these games could significantly impact the SEC standings and the national rankings as the college baseball season progresses towards the postseason.
