Ebert returning to form
Jordan Ebert has renewed confidence as he tries to bounce back from a disappointing junior season.
AUBURN | If Jordan Ebert has an extra spring in his step there’s a good reason.
After a disappointing junior season when his batting average dipped .100 points and he lost his starting job, Ebert is back for his senior season with renewed enthusiasm and a new coaching staff that’s got a lot of confidence in him.
“Oh yea, I feel good. I've pretty much put last year behind me,” Ebert said. “It's been a really positive and fun experience. I enjoy coming to the field every day and getting to work with Sis (Doug Sisson) and Butch (Thompson).
“I've been blessed with some really good hitting coaches since I've been here. I feel like me and Sis are kind of clicking and he's helping me through some things that I might not have got from somebody else, even though they'd given it to me, it just kind of clicked.”
As a sophomore, Ebert was second in the SEC with a .353 average and Thompson is seeing that same confident swing during the first three days of preseason practice.
“I just think he’s more comfortable. He’s more relaxed, even watching BP and watching him turn his swings loose here,” Thompson said. “I think he’s in a great frame of mind. I remember as an opponent two years ago, he was swinging the bat so good two years ago that if he got a single, I’m like ‘that’s OK,’ because he was just getting hits; you don’t want it to be an extra-base hit.
“I think he’s kind of returned to that form that I remember two years ago. He had a great start, and I just like how he’s carrying himself that first weekend.”
Ebert is part of a veteran Auburn lineup that returns nine position players with at least 40 career starts. All that experience plus the return of All-SEC pitcher Cole Lipscomb and the addition of some talented newcomers including first baseman Niko Buentello, outfielder Joshua Palacios, left-handed pitcher Ben Braymer and right-handed pitcher Casey Mize, has Ebert excited about the potential of this year’s team despite being picked last in the SEC West by Perfect Game and D1 Baseball.
“The confidence is coming back. I feel good,” Ebert said. “I think this team is going to be special. A lot of people don't know a lot about us and that might be a good thing.”
After taking off Monday, Auburn will be back at practice Tuesday afternoon. The Tigers open the season Friday, Feb. 19 at home with a three-game series against Sacramento State.
***MORE PRESEASON BASEBALL COVERAGE***