SEASON PREVIEW: Auburn eyes another trip to Oklahoma
AUBURN | Clint Myers told his team two years ago that simply getting to the College World Series in Oklahoma City wasn't the goal.
He wanted to win in Oklahoma City.
What seemed like a pipe dream during the winter of 2014 became reality last summer as the Tigers made their maiden voyage to the CWS and won a pair of games there. Losses to LSU and eventual national champion Florida ended Auburn's run, but everything that happened during the 2015 season -- the 56 wins, the super regional at home, the national relevance, the dozens of new school records -- has changed how this program approaches the new season.
Greatness no longer is a wish. It's the new normal.
"All that’s been done is the expectation is a lot more attainable than it was before," Myers said. "Before, none of this had ever been done. Now that’s it’s happened, they believed they can do this every year. We’re not hoping to get to Oklahoma City; we’re expecting to get to Oklahoma City. We’re expecting to go out and play for that national championship. They’ve tasted it now. They’ve tasted Oklahoma fever and that’s where every team in the country wants to be. I like what we’re doing right now to get there.”
What had been a serene off-season changed dramatically in January. That's when hitting coach Casey Myers, who spent the past two seasons working as a volunteer assistant, accepted a position with the San Diego Padres. That broke up the three-pronged Myers attack -- another of the head coach's sons, Corey, remains with the Tigers as pitching coach -- that had been in place for several years dating back to their days at Arizona State.
Auburn is known for its hitting. The team finished fifth among all Division I teams last season in runs per game (7.85), seventh in home runs (99) and 15th in batting average at .339. Clint Myers said the remaining coaches each would help with hitting instruction moving forward.
"We talk as a staff every day about the hitting and what we’re going to do. Everyone is on the same page," Clint Myers said. "Casey was phenomenal. He was patient and a good listener, so you lose one aspect there. As far as teaching and doing what we’re trying to do, it’s the same philosophy and the same mechanics.”
Auburn returns its two best overall hitters from the 2015 season -- All-Americans Emily Carosone (second base) and Kasey Cooper (third base) -- along with lead-off hitter Tiffany Howard, who plays left field, and slugger Jade Rhodes, who plays first base, and catcher Carlee Wallace.
Still, the Tigers must replace seniors Morgan Estell and Branndi Melero, who provided outstanding defense in the outfield and timely hitting at the plate. Those two have been replaced by Vic Draper, a short-yet-speedy centerfielder, and a collection of potential starters in right field.
Shortstop Haley Fagan will miss a portion of the season after tearing a knee ligament during fall practice. Her understudy, Kelsey Bogaards, also is out because of knee surgery. Sophomore Whitney Jordan will start at shortstop -- for now.
"She has the chance to be a hell of a shortstop," Clint Myers said with Jordan. "The hitting part of it is nice because she’s barreling more balls and is a much improved athlete, considering we started her in right field and now she’s our starting shortstop. She’s got the work ethic on ground balls and I’m very proud of how hard she’s working to be the best shortstop
The Tigers' pitching staff has been expanded. All three primary pitchers from 2015 have returned while the team added freshman Makayla Martin from San Diego, Calif., and Kaylee Carlson, another California native who went 18-10 as a freshman at North Carolina last season.
"It will be a stronger and more consistent mentality," Clint Myers said. "I think with Corey and the pitchers, you’re going to see a staff."
AUBURN IN THE PLAINSMAN INVITATIONAL
Thursday: vs. Appalachian State, 6 p.m. CDT
Friday: vs. Western Kentucky, 5:30 p.m. CDT
Saturday: vs. Butler, 12:30 p.m.
vs. Furman, 3 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Appalachian State, 1:30 p.m.
All games played at Jane B. Moore Field and streamed via WatchESPN.