Baseball News: 1-20-2026
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Dudley Dent
Jan 20, 2026, 8:15:00 AM (18 hours ago) Jan 20
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Auburn Baseball News: 1-20-2026
Auburn baseball gets squad games underway as Tigers prep for season:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-baseball-opened-practices-last-week-for-the-2026-season-271628693/
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Auburn baseball gets squad games underway as Tigers prep for season
By Jason Caldwell
One week into full squad practices, the Auburn baseball Tigers have hit the ground running with three intra-squad scrimmages giving coach Butch Thompson and the coaching staff a very early idea of where things stand for the preseason Top 10 team. While there have been some positives, Thompson said he hasn't seen the consistency he's looking for from his team to this point.
"It's probably good for a first weekend, because you look at it, it's the first time that we've been able to do this, this early with a team," Thompson said. "So maybe I should expect some of this because it's usually like the 24th or 25th around there where you're able to have your first squad game. So we're doing this a week early, and I really hope we can get back on the field Tuesday, Thursday, for the second round of squad games, because we talked about a lot of lessons.
"I think some of this can benefit us if we adjust, have a good plan and start executing this week and putting it into the next round of squad games. Guys are a blessing to work with. But we still have to grow just like every team in America, I would imagine. We've got to keep growing and playing better baseball before the season starts."
One of the things that Thompson has harped on since before last season is throwing more strikes. It's something the pitchers struggled with for much of the first three scrimmage situations as they got back on the mound for the first time following the break. There were some bright spots however, one of whom was true freshman Ethin Bingaman. A two-way player that could also see time in the field for the Tigers, Bingaman stepped up and pitched well in his outing this weekend.
"Played on the best high school team in America," Thompson said of the California product. "Pitched No. 2 behind a first rounder. He absolutely captured it. And this is where we're not in daycare anymore. That fall feels like daycare. Everybody gets to play and pitch. Now I'm looking for guys that are good right now. Whether you were here last year, your track record, all that stuff, is not as meaningful right now. Who can get us the most outs?"
Another one of the pitchers that pitched well was Virginia Tech transfer Jake Marciano. A LHP that went 4-2 in 14 starts as a freshman, he was strong in the fall and had a solid outing his first time out this spring. Michigan State transfer LHP Garrett Brewer did some good things as did returning junior RHP Alex Petrovic. Thompson said all four set the tone for what he wants to see out of his pitchers heading into the season.
"Brewer got hit hard, but I'd rather them get hit hard," he said. "You've got to find the zone first. These guys that are not even close to the zone, they're probably going to have to get in the zone. They're going to have to get blasted before they get the contact softened up, before they get swing and miss. Bingaman and Marciano, Brewer. Petrovic earned something. It was nice after the rough day yesterday and us getting to do pregame meal and simulate that timing from pregame meal to first pitch. That's what we're able to do today. That your captain is the first one that goes out there and just absolutely blows through two innings. And then just really made a commitment on everything that we talked about from yesterday to today.
"So tickled to death with him and, really, I thought everybody that went out there today (Monday) did a nice job for us till we got to a certain point, to later in the squad game. So those are four guys that resonate in my mind, which tells you it was a little sluggish this first time through pitching-wise. Right now, I think I got four pitchers for Auburn going into the season and hopefully we get two or three more weeks to add to that."
Auburn baseball gets squad games underway as Tigers prep for season:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-baseball-opened-practices-last-week-for-the-2026-season-271628693/
*************************
Auburn baseball gets squad games underway as Tigers prep for season
By Jason Caldwell
One week into full squad practices, the Auburn baseball Tigers have hit the ground running with three intra-squad scrimmages giving coach Butch Thompson and the coaching staff a very early idea of where things stand for the preseason Top 10 team. While there have been some positives, Thompson said he hasn't seen the consistency he's looking for from his team to this point.
"It's probably good for a first weekend, because you look at it, it's the first time that we've been able to do this, this early with a team," Thompson said. "So maybe I should expect some of this because it's usually like the 24th or 25th around there where you're able to have your first squad game. So we're doing this a week early, and I really hope we can get back on the field Tuesday, Thursday, for the second round of squad games, because we talked about a lot of lessons.
"I think some of this can benefit us if we adjust, have a good plan and start executing this week and putting it into the next round of squad games. Guys are a blessing to work with. But we still have to grow just like every team in America, I would imagine. We've got to keep growing and playing better baseball before the season starts."
One of the things that Thompson has harped on since before last season is throwing more strikes. It's something the pitchers struggled with for much of the first three scrimmage situations as they got back on the mound for the first time following the break. There were some bright spots however, one of whom was true freshman Ethin Bingaman. A two-way player that could also see time in the field for the Tigers, Bingaman stepped up and pitched well in his outing this weekend.
"Played on the best high school team in America," Thompson said of the California product. "Pitched No. 2 behind a first rounder. He absolutely captured it. And this is where we're not in daycare anymore. That fall feels like daycare. Everybody gets to play and pitch. Now I'm looking for guys that are good right now. Whether you were here last year, your track record, all that stuff, is not as meaningful right now. Who can get us the most outs?"
Another one of the pitchers that pitched well was Virginia Tech transfer Jake Marciano. A LHP that went 4-2 in 14 starts as a freshman, he was strong in the fall and had a solid outing his first time out this spring. Michigan State transfer LHP Garrett Brewer did some good things as did returning junior RHP Alex Petrovic. Thompson said all four set the tone for what he wants to see out of his pitchers heading into the season.
"Brewer got hit hard, but I'd rather them get hit hard," he said. "You've got to find the zone first. These guys that are not even close to the zone, they're probably going to have to get in the zone. They're going to have to get blasted before they get the contact softened up, before they get swing and miss. Bingaman and Marciano, Brewer. Petrovic earned something. It was nice after the rough day yesterday and us getting to do pregame meal and simulate that timing from pregame meal to first pitch. That's what we're able to do today. That your captain is the first one that goes out there and just absolutely blows through two innings. And then just really made a commitment on everything that we talked about from yesterday to today.
"So tickled to death with him and, really, I thought everybody that went out there today (Monday) did a nice job for us till we got to a certain point, to later in the squad game. So those are four guys that resonate in my mind, which tells you it was a little sluggish this first time through pitching-wise. Right now, I think I got four pitchers for Auburn going into the season and hopefully we get two or three more weeks to add to that."
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