No. 4 Auburn Sweeps Regional, Blasting NC State 11–1 to Host First Super Regional

The atmosphere at Plainsman Park on Sunday evening was electric—every seat filled, the dugout brimming with energy, and a sea of orange and blue ready to erupt. The Auburn Tigers, the No. 4 national seed in the 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament, delivered one of their most complete and dominant performances of the season, defeating NC State 11–1 and sweeping the Auburn Regional. With the win, the Tigers advance to the Super Regional for the first time as hosts, marking a milestone in program history and setting the stage for a potential College World Series run.

A Night to Remember at Plainsman Park

Sunday’s victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. In front of a sold-out crowd of 4,096 fans, Auburn put together a near-flawless performance, combining timely hitting, shutdown pitching, and elite fielding. The Tigers broke open a tight game with a seven-run fourth inning and never looked back. By the time the final out was recorded, players and fans alike understood the significance of what they had just witnessed.

Chris Rembert: The Spark Plug

Sophomore outfielder Chris Rembert was the offensive catalyst for the Tigers, finishing 3-for-4 with four RBIs. In a tournament that already featured several standout performances, Rembert’s clutch hits—especially his bases-clearing double in the fourth—set the tone for Auburn’s dominance.

“This team just feeds off each other,” Rembert said after the game. “When one guy gets it going, the rest of us follow.”

Ike Irish Delivers the Knockout Blow

Another critical contributor was sophomore first baseman Ike Irish, who launched a three-run homer in the fourth inning to give Auburn a commanding 7–0 lead. Irish’s home run, his 18th of the season, was a no-doubter that sailed over the right-field fence and sent the stadium into a frenzy.

“We’ve worked all year for moments like this,” Irish said. “To be able to do it in front of our fans, in this park, it’s special.”

Pitching Masterclass: Freshman Phenomenon and Steady Relief

Andreas Alvarez Shines on the Biggest Stage

Freshman right-hander Andreas Alvarez was nothing short of brilliant in his start against NC State. Pitching in the biggest game of his young collegiate career, Alvarez tossed five scoreless innings, striking out six while allowing just three hits. His poise and command looked like that of a seasoned veteran.

“I just trusted my stuff and kept the ball down,” Alvarez said. “Coach told me to treat it like any other game, and that helped calm the nerves.”

Alvarez was named the Regional’s Most Outstanding Player, a rare feat for a true freshman. Head coach Butch Thompson praised Alvarez’s maturity and preparation.

“His ability to execute the game plan and handle the moment shows just how special he is,” Thompson said. “We’re going to need more of that next weekend.”

Cade Fisher Closes the Door

Following Alvarez’s gem, junior reliever Cade Fisher took the mound and held NC State to one run over four innings of work, preserving Auburn’s comfortable lead and saving arms for the next round. Fisher pounded the strike zone, relied on weak contact, and worked efficiently.

“Cade gave us exactly what we needed,” pitching coach Tim Hudson said. “He allowed us to keep the bullpen fresh going into the Super Regional.”

A Historic Milestone: Hosting the Super Regional

While Auburn has been a regular postseason participant in recent years, this marks the first time the program will host a Super Regional in its long and proud history. Plainsman Park, which underwent renovations in 2023, now boasts state-of-the-art facilities, and fans will be treated to high-stakes baseball in their own backyard.

“This is what we envisioned when we invested in the stadium upgrades and player development,” said Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen. “We wanted to bring postseason baseball to our fans, and we’ve done that.”

The Tigers will face Coastal Carolina, who emerged as the winner of the Tallahassee Regional. The best-of-three series will determine who advances to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Road to Omaha: Auburn’s Path So Far

Regional Dominance

Auburn entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 national seed, a testament to their 43–16 regular season record and a runner-up finish in the SEC Tournament. In the Regional, Auburn dispatched Southern Miss (8–3), followed by a tightly contested 4–2 win over Indiana State before the rout of NC State.

What stood out during Regional play was Auburn’s consistency across all phases of the game. They committed just one error across three games, averaged 7.6 runs per game, and got quality starts from every pitcher.

Balanced Offense

Eight Auburn hitters are currently batting above .300 in postseason play, led by senior shortstop Cole Foster (.367), Irish (.341), and Rembert (.358). The team’s ability to manufacture runs in different ways—power, small ball, and timely two-out hits—has overwhelmed opposing pitching staffs.

“We’re deep,” said assistant coach Gabe Gross. “There’s no easy out in our lineup. We can beat you with the long ball, but we can also bunt and run.”

Coach Butch Thompson: Architect of a Championship Contender

Now in his 10th season as Auburn’s head coach, Butch Thompson has led the program to four Super Regionals and two College World Series appearances (2019, 2022). His ability to develop both pitchers and hitters, recruit at a high level, and build a cohesive culture has elevated Auburn into national relevance.

“Coach Thompson built this team with the postseason in mind,” said former Auburn pitcher Casey Mize, now with the Detroit Tigers. “He’s one of the best minds in college baseball.”

Thompson credited the team’s leadership for this year’s run.

“Our older guys have set the tone,” he said. “They’ve led the younger ones by example, and that’s why we’re still playing.”

Scouting the Super Regional Opponent: Coastal Carolina

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are no strangers to postseason success, having won the College World Series in 2016. They upset Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional, powered by elite pitching and a red-hot middle of the lineup.

Key Players to Watch:

• Tommy Green (RHP) – Projected to start Game 1. Posted a 2.91 ERA with 102 strikeouts.
• Jake Langston (3B) – Led the team with 18 home runs and a .340 average.
• Marcus Bell (SS) – Anchors the infield and boasts a .980 fielding percentage.

Auburn will need to stay aggressive but patient at the plate, as Coastal’s pitching staff is known for mixing speeds and keeping hitters off balance.

Fan Engagement and Atmosphere: The Jungle Is Alive

The Auburn fan base, affectionately known as “The Jungle,” has played a huge role in the Tigers’ postseason success. Plainsman Park has sold out every home postseason game, and the noise level during the NC State game rivaled any SEC football Saturday.

“You could feel it from the first pitch,” Alvarez said. “That kind of support gives you an edge.”

The athletic department has announced that temporary seating will be added to accommodate additional fans for the Super Regional, and student tickets sold out within 10 minutes of release.

National Spotlight and Media Attention

With the Tigers now just two wins away from another trip to Omaha, national media has taken notice. ESPN’s Karl Ravech called Auburn “one of the most complete teams in the country,” while Baseball America moved them up to No. 3 in their latest rankings.

Multiple MLB scouts have also been present at Auburn’s games, eyeing prospects like Irish, Rembert, and pitcher Colby Murray.

“Scouts love our guys because they’re tough and fundamentally sound,” said Pearl Sun, Auburn’s Director of Player Development. “This group is focused on winning, and the talent speaks for itself.”

What’s Next?

The Super Regional matchup with Coastal Carolina will begin Friday night, with Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Auburn will likely hand the ball to junior ace Colby Murray in Game 1, followed by either Alvarez or sophomore lefty Noah Greer.

Expect a pitcher’s duel in Game 1, but if Auburn can continue to hit like they did in the Regional, they’ll be tough to beat in a best-of-three format.

A Program Poised for Greatness

With an elite coaching staff, balanced lineup, shutdown pitching, and the rare opportunity to host a Super Regional, the 2025 Auburn Tigers have everything they need to reach Omaha. More importantly, they are playing their best baseball at exactly the right time.

What makes this team special is not just talent, but resilience, cohesion, and belief. This isn’t just another tournament run. For Auburn, this could be the year.