Live look-in: Auburn vs. Tennessee (Game 2)

Hey everyone. Auburn and Tennessee are playing today at Plainsman Park.

It's GAME TWO of their weekend series. A win today clinches a spot in the SEC Tournament for the first time in six seasons.

UPDATE: Auburn won the game 18-0 ... and has qualified for the SEC Tournament!

SCORING UPDATES

**Auburn 1st: The Tigers have scored five runs. Trent Mummey hit a two-run dong, Ryan Jenkins had an RBI single and Dan Gamache had a two-RBI double.

**Auburn 3rd: Jenkins had an RBI single and Mummey had a granny. It's a seven-run inning and an 12-0 Auburn lead.

**Auburn 4th: RBI doubles from Justin Hargett and Mummey, two-run DONG from Fletcher. Auburn now leads 16-0.

**Auburn 5th: RBI hits from McElroy and Justin Fradejas. Auburn now leads 18-0.

Photo credit: Leffie V. Dailey/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

Official HABOTN salutations

Hey everyone. One of our long-term HOTTIES, Taylor, popped the question last night to his gal Lindsay.

She said yes.

We're all very excited because these two kids really like each other. We're forecasting a lifetime of happiness and joy.

Please join me in congratulating Taylor!

Baseball drops one to Tennessee

Hey everyone. Auburn lost to the Volunteers tonight by a score of 9-3.

Implications? Not many. We believe the Tigers need one more win to clinch a bid to the Southeastern Conference tournament. Ole Miss beat Alabama (5-4) on Friday, which aided the Tigers' effort. Their magic number had been two.

Hunter Morris had two hits Friday night. One was a homer. Casey McElroy also had a pair of hits. Tennessee's star was starter Stephen McCray, who allowed three runs in 7+ innings of work. He allowed hits. He walked batters. Auburn couldn't capitalize.

The series resumes Saturday at 3 p.m.

Photo credit: Leffie V. Dailey/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

Did they know I was coming?

As seen at Riverwalk Stadium on Friday morning.

No additional comment provided.

Baseball reset

Hey everyone. Auburn baseball resumes its postseason path this evening against Tennessee, which could be a very significant series.

Two wins means Les Tigres automatically qualify for the SEC Tournament. Insiders refer to this event simply as "Hoover" based on its location, as if they're totally familiar with the place. I still need GPS. It's been six years since I rolled into the Hoover Met.

Can Auburn (33-16, 15-9) win two this weekend? You betcha. Tennessee is 27-21 overall and 11-13 in conference games. The Tigers swept Mississippi State last weekend, which tells me they mean business.

They have won five consecutive SEC games overall.

Cory Luckie, Prattville native, goes tonight for Auburn. The game starts at 6:30 p.m.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

Radio Appearance Forthcoming

Hey everyone. I will be participating in my weekly segment on SuperSport 930 out of Jackson, Miss., in a bit. That extravaganza will begin around 9:07 a.m. CST. There will be a podcast later in the day in case you miss the fun.

It typically streams live, so please enjoy the segment digitally if you're so inclined.

Auburn football gets another commitment

Hey everyone. Quick word that Sweet Water linebacker Chris Landrum has committed to play football for Auburn beginning in 2011.

He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs approximately 215 pounds.

We know Auburn was hot after Landrum because it brought the Tiger Prowl traveling band of coaches to Sweet Water two weeks ago. He has a standing offer from Alabama ... and other programs.

Photo credit: AuburnSports.com

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

Baseball weekend wrap-up

Hey everyone. So Auburn had a fairly successful weekend on the ol' baseball diamond this weekend.

The Tigers earned a series sweep over Mississippi State, a team that entered the weekend in 11th place. Coach John Pawlowski's team handled business with amplomb -- particularly at the plate. That's where seven batters compiled weekend averages over .400.

Here is the honor roll:

• OF Brian Fletcher -- 7-for-14, 7 RBIs
  
• 1B Hunter Morris -- 6-for-12, 4 RBIs
  
• SS Casey McElroy -- 5-for-10, 6 RBIs
  
• C Ryan Jenkins -- 7-for-12, 6 RBIs
  
• DH Kevin Patterson -- 4-for-7, 3 RBIs
  
• 3B Dan Gamache -- 3-for-7, 3 RBIs

Auburn finished the weekend with 43 hits. Ten of them were doubles, one was a triple and the team hit 12 balls over the wall.

Stuff like that doesn't happen anywhere very often ... let alone Auburn.

So where is the team positioned in the standings? Glad you asked.

Auburn is 15-9 in league play, which places it in a tie for second in the Western Divison. The team is one game back of division-leading Arkansas. The team is tied for fourth overall ... and would have to completely implode to fall out of the postseason picture.

Next up: A home series against Tennessee, which currently is in 8th place.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.