Other news from Big Cat Weekend

Hey everyone. So the big news today was Kiehl Frazier's commitment, but several other big-name prospects spent time at Auburn this weekend.

Here's a glimpse:

*Leeds High standout Jonathan Rose sounds like a commitment to me. He's already recruiting guys to play ball at Auburn ... though Rose isn't yet committed himself. I expect to see that happen during the next few weeks.

Rose said this weekend gave him a new perspective on the program.

``I was bonding more with other players than just coaches this time. I got to meet new guys -- hopefully potential teammates. I'm glad to be able to meet these other hot prospects. I was just glad to have the bonding experience."





*Keymiya Harrell of Dallas County High seems pretty high on Auburn. He's a tall DE in the Antoine Carter mold. Harrell said it's between the Tigers and Tennessee right now. The Auburn coaches made a special stop during their caravan in Plantersville to see Harrell. That tells me he's high on their list.









*Rush Propst, the former Hoover coach, brought one of his players to the event. His name is Xzavier Ward. They're from Colquitt County (Ga.) High. Ward looks like a wideout to me. He's 6-foot-7. Auburn wants him as an offensive tackle. He has one year of starting experience under his belt. Georgia is all over this kid. So are other programs.

Ward said he's not expecting to make a decision until Colquitt's season ends. He has 16 offers. Propst said Ward has it narrowed down to 10 and Auburn is in the mix. That's as deep as it gets with those two.



*Javorius "Buck" Allen is a tailback from Tallahassee, Fla. He plays at Lincoln High, which produced a pair of Auburn scholarship guys in LB Craig Stevens and S Mike Slade. Allen, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 200, missed most of last season with a broken femur. He is in no hurry to make a decision. ``It'll be close to signing day. I want to focus on my season, my senior year, and not recruiting."








*Pat Milliner is a wideout/tailback from Stanhope Elmore High. His brother, Demarcus, signed with Alabama as a defensive back earlier this year. Pat said he expects to play wideout in college and insists that his brother's decision has no bearing on his own. "I'll go to the school that's best for me," he said.

Kiehl Frazier commits

Hey everyone. Auburn has secured a commitment from Arkansas quarterback Kiehl (Kyle) Frazier.

His father said this is the kind of commitment that sticks. He said they talked about not being one of those commit-decommit people. Taking time to say that tells me the commitment is more firm than usual.

What is the draw to Auburn? Gus Malzahn, of course.

"It's huge. He's been recruiting me since 9th grade," Frazier said. ``I know what kind of person his was. I would have followed him to Tulsa, followed him to Arkansas. He came here. This is a great place for me to be."

Frazier's father, a cheery guy named Robin Beach, made the trip and had plenty to say about The Big Decision.

``He weighed all of the options," Beach said. ``He took the negatives and the positives into consideration. He came to me a few days ago and said: Dad, this is what I want to do. We're not the kind of people where it's going to be this commit-decommit kind of thing. When it was all said and done, Kiehl weighed all his options, put the data into a format and made an educated decision about what's going to best for him."

Beach said his son currently holds offers from 27 Bowl Subdivision offers.

Auburn V. Ole Miss (SEC Tournament)

Hey everyone. Welcome to Regions Park, where your Auburn Tigers are participating in a baseball contest against a team from Mississippi.

FINAL SCORE: Ole Miss 10, Auburn 7

OLE MISS 1st

• walk, walk, strikeout, strikeout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 2 LOB
  
• Nelson threw 24 pitches, 13 for strikes
  
  AUBURN 1st
  
• strikeout, Gamache single, strikeout, (Gamache to 2nd on wild pitch), flyout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  OLE MISS 2nd
  
• Yarbrough double, strikeout, infield single, walk (four pitches to the No. 9 hitter), Ferguson single (scores two runs), groundout, flyout
  
• 2 runs, 3 hits, 2 LOB
  
• Nelson is up to 50 pitches; 29 strikes
  
  AUBURN 2nd
  
• strikeout, Jenkins single, flyout, Simpson triple (scores one run), strikeout
  
• 1 run, 2 hits, 1 LOB
  
  OLE MISS 3rd
  
• flyout, hit by pitch, flyout, Mi. Snyder single (scores a run from first base), Mort single, strikeout.
  
• 1 run, 2 hits, 2 LOB
  
• Nelson is up to 72 pitches; 43 strikes
  
  AUBURN 3rd
  
• Fradejas single, flyout, CALDWELL DONG (scores two runs), Morris single, Patterson hit by pitch, Jenkins walk, (PITCHING CHANGE), strikeout, strikeout
  
• 2 runs, 3 hits, 3 LOB
  
  OLE MISS 4th
  
• Ferguson single, flyout, (Ferguson stole second because of an error), groundout, (wild pitch scores a run), hit by pitch, (PITCHING CHANGE), groundout
  
• 1 run, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
• Nelson ended his night at 85 pitches
  
  AUBURN 4th
  
• strikeout, Fradejas walk, strikeout, (Fradejas caught stealing)
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 LOB
  
  OLE MISS 4th
  
• single, double play ball, error, flyout
  
  AUBURN 5th
  
• In progress.
  
  I'm going to sit with Choco Scott for a second. See you in a bit.
  
  AUBURN 7th
  
• strikeout, Gamache walk, (Gamache to 2nd on wild pitch), Caldwell single, MORRIS DONG (scores three runs), (PITCHING CHANGE), groundout, groundout
  
• 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 LOB
  
  OLE MISS 8th
  
• flyout, flyout, walk, single, (PITCHING CHANGE), flyout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 LOB
  
  AUBURN 8th
  
• McElroy single, fielder's choice (McElroy out at second), (Mummey pinch hitting for Hargett), (PITCHING CHANGE), double play ball
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  OLE MISS 9th
  
• strikeout, walk, double play ball
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB
  
  AUBURN 9th
  
• flyout, groundout, Caldwell single, groundout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  OLE MISS 10
  
• groundout, walk, (PITCHING CHANGE), single, HASHMAN DONG (three runs score), strikeout
  
• 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 LOB
  
  AUBURN 10th
  
• Bryant single, strikeout, strikeout, walk, groundout
  
  THAT'S A WRAP
  
  
  

AUBURN LINEUP
RF Justin Fradejas
3B Dan Gamache
LF Tony Caldwell
1B Hunter Morris
DH Kevin Patterson
C Ryan Jenkins
SS Casey McElroy
CF Creede Simpson
2B Justin Hargett

SP Cole Nelson (6-3, 4.94 ERA)

The rain in Hoover: Pictures

Hey everyone. Auburn's baseball game against a college team from Mississippi has been delayed due to rain, wind, lightning, etc.

It's sunny where you are? I was thinking the same thing. It was cloudless in Montgomery this afternoon, where I dined with Norm and Le Zookeeper.

The tarp is OFF the field.

The game is scheduled to begin at 4:55 p.m. CDT.

Anyway, here's proof:

I caught a bolt on film. Yay me.


Auburn played host to a Little League team during the rain delay. I thought that was nice. Those kids walked away with a lot of autographed baseballs.


Water has pooled throughout the outfield. I think 3:40 p.m. is an ambitious estimation.


Friend of the Blog® Todd Dewey of ABC 33/40 fame begins the process of evacuating water from his video perch high above the field.


Tarp comes off.


It's wet. This is just beyond first base in shallow right field.


The mound needed serious help.


No matter how far away, no matter the stakes, there always is at least one Alabama fan at every major Auburn event doing their best to ... represent? Here's a great example. Standing out in the rain to make it work!

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 8:32 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.

BONUS Postgame video

Please enjoy.

Auburn v. South Carolina (SEC Tournament)

Hey everyone. Welcome to Regions Park, where your Auburn Tigers are participating in a baseball contest against a team from South Carolina.

FINAL SCORE: Auburn 3, South Carolina 1 (12 innings)

AUBURN 1st

• flyout, flyout, Fletcher hit by pitch, Morris single, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 1st
  
• bunt single, flyout, flyout (spectacular catch by Fradejas), strikeout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  AUBURN 2nd
  
• flyout, single by Jenkins, fielder's choice, caught stealing
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 2nd
  
• strikeout, walk, hit by pitch, flyout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 LOB
  
  AUBURN 3rd
  
• strikeout, single by Fradejas, double play ball by Mummey
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 3rd
  
• flyout, double off the wall in right, walk, fielder's choice (missed chance at a double play), flyout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 2 LOB
  
  AUBURN 4th
  
• Simpson DING DONG, Morris single, strikeout, flyout, flyout
  
• 1 run, 2 hits, 1 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 4th
  
• strikeout, strikeout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB
  
  AUBURN 5th
  
• flyout, Hargett single, flyout, groundout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 5th
  
• groundout, bunt single, flyout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  AUBURN 6th
  
• strikeout, flyout, strikeout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 6th
  
• flyout, flyout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB
  
  AUBURN 7th
  
• groundout, strikeout, single by McElroy, strikeout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 7th
  
• Thomas DING DONG, groundout, flyout, groundout
  
• 1 run, 1 hit, 0 LOB
  
  AUBURN 8th
  
• groundout, Mummey single, flyout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 8th
  
• Bradley single, sac bunt, lineout, (Bradley advances to third on wild pitch), strikeout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  AUBURN 9th
  
• strikeout, groundout, strikeout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 9th
  
• flyout, strikeout, strikeout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 LOB
  
  AUBURN 10th
  
• flyout, walk, strikeout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 10th
  
• groundout, walk, single, groundout, intentional walk, groundout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 3 LOB
  
  AUBURN 11th
  
• groundout, strikeout, Caldwell double off the wall in right, strikeout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 11th
  
• Marzilli single, (advanced to second on wild pitch), strikeout, flyout, groundout
  
• 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 LOB
  
  AUBURN 12th
  
• Jenkins single, fielder's choice (Jenkins out at second), error, walk, Mummey single (scores two runs), strikeout, intentional walk to Morris, strikeout
  
• 2 runs, 2 hits, 3 LOB
  
  SOUTH CAROLINA 12th
  
• walk, strikeout, flyout, flyout
  
• 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 LOB
  
  THAT'S A WRAP.
  

TODAY'S LINEUP
RF Justin Fradejas -- .354-1-26
CF Trent Mummey -- .376-15-45
LF Brian Fletcher -- .359-20-70
1B Hunter Morris -- .392-20-67
DH Kevin Patterson -- .318-16-31
3B Dan Gamache -- .403-7-34
C Ryan Jenkins -- .367-7-37
SS Casey McElroy -- .330-6-37
2B Justin Hargett -- .323-2-32

LHP Grant Dayton -- 8-2, 4.61

PRE-GAME PHOTO GALLERY
Click to enlarge

Here's the "shot clock" ... you'd better enlarge this shot to see it. (It's the red zero just below the scoreboard.) Pitchers have 20 seconds to throw their next pitch when no runners are on base. Teams have 108 seconds to prepare themselves between innings.


How do you think they keep those logos looking so good all day?


Fellow beat hacks (L to R) Andy Bitter, Charles Goldberg and Phillip Marshall in the midst of difficult mental preparation prior to today's game.

Your Big Cat Weekend update

Hey everyone. It's almost Memorial Day Weekend around these parts and you know what that means.

Baseball regional? Oh, yeah? That wasn't what I meant.

Big Cat Weekend II: Electric Boogaloo begins tomorrow with what (at initial glance) promises to be a swell array of football prospects. We know Arkansas quarterback Kiehl ("Kyle") Frazier will be there. We also believe Arkansas offensive lineman Mitch Smothers will attend.

Anyone else? Absolutely. Can I identify them? Not right now.

The HABOTN spoke with Auburn recruiting czar Curtis Luper about what to expect this weekend.

• On how many kids will attend: "We don't know yet. It'll be a work in progress."
  
  
• On turning away kids who have come forward and asked for an invitation: ``No is not something that's really in our vocabulary. We don't want it to be 400 kids because we can't manage it. We try to keep it as small and manageable as possible."
  
  
• On changes Auburn is expected to make to BCW this time around: ``We got a lot of feedback from the guys on our team now, our new freshmen, who were part of Big Cat last year. They all had ideas of stuff we should do. Pie eating and watermelon eating contests that we did last year were big. Auburn is known as a family place, so it'll be like another family reunion."
  
  
• On fielding new suggestions: ``The suggestions come from everywhere now. Not just our players or former players. We're talking about a couple of secretaries, people in airports. We want to do the best that we can do show Auburn for what it is. We heard some crazy ideas, but a few of them actually were really smart. Some of them made us laugh."
  
  
• On which ones made him laugh: ``You wouldn't believe them."
  
  
• On the most important part from a recruiting perspective: ``There are some guys who had some strong bonds from that particular weekend that carried over into the season and after the season. Subsequently, some of those guys are on our football team. The big thing was the uniqueness of the weekend and those guys being part of the initial Big Cat … that's the sense that we got."

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

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

AU Baseball: What Went Wrong Today?

Hey everyone. So you were really up on the Tigers after they won the Western Division and pounded Ole Miss into pieces last weekend.

Now you're looking at that same team, fresh off a 7-1 loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament, and you're thinking: What just happened?

Baseball just happened.

It's the least predictable major sport. A great day from an opposing pitcher means you have almost no shot. That's what Auburn experienced today.

KEY ELEMENTS:

• Alabama starter Jimmy Nelson was really good today. That was his third consecutive complete-game win. He knew even Auburn, the league's most homer-prone team, would struggle to bop the ball out of spacious Regions Park. So he threw good strikes and dared the Tigers to hit it deep. They didn't.
  
  
• Auburn starter Cory Luckie was not as good as Nelson.
  
  
• Auburn's relievers pitched poorly for the most part.
  
  
• Alabama played excellent defense ... particularly at first base.
  
  
• Auburn played imperfect defense. An error at second base early in the game created drama that shouldn't have existed.
  

And that, HOTTIES, comprises every known reason for the Tigers' struggles.

Auburn plays South Carolina tomorrow morning in an elimination game. The Gamecocks are better than Alabama, but the Tigers will be throwing de facto ace Grant Dayton against them.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

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

Auburn v. Alabama (SEC Tournament)

Hey everyone. Welcome to Regions Park.

FINAL SCORE: Auburn 1, Alabama 7

ALABAMA 1st

• groundout, strikeout, groundout
  
• 0 hits, 0 runs
  
  AUBURN 1st
  
• groundout, groundout, Fletcher single, strikeout.
  
• 1 hit, 0 runs
  
  ALABAMA 2nd
  
• strikeout, strikeout, single, single, strikeout
  
• 2 hits, 0 runs
  
  AUBURN 2nd
  
• fly out, strikeout, fly out
  
• 0 hits, 0 runs
  
  ALABAMA 3rd
  
• flyout, groundout, flyout
  
• 0 hits, 0 runs
  
  AUBURN 3rd
  
• Gamache double, sacrifice, sac bunt (scores Gamache), Mummey triple, strikeout.
  
• 2 hits, 1 run
  
  ALABAMA 4th
  
• groundout, walk, error, flyout, walk, single (scores two), strikeout
  
• 1 hit, 2 runs
  
  AUBURN 4th
  
• lineout, deep flyout, groundout
  
• 0 hits, 0 runs
  
  HABOTN BREAK TO MEET WITH HOOPIE
  (Alabama scored a run in the top of the 7th)
  
  AUBURN 7th
  
• flyout, McElroy single, McElroy caught stealing, strikeout
  
• 1 hit, 0 runs
  
  ALABAMA 8th
  
• strikeout, double, strikeout, double (scores one run), strikeout
  
• 2 hits, 1 run
  
  AUBURN 8th
  
• groundout, single, sac bunt, lineout
  
• 1 hit, 0 runs
  
  ALABAMA 8th
  
• flyout, single, walk, flyout, hit by pitch, walk (scores one run), single (scores two runs), strikeout
  
• 2 hits, 3 runs
  
  AUBURN 9th
  
• groundout, flyout, strikeout
  
• 0 hits, 0 runs
  

AUBURN LINEUP
RF Justin Fradejas (.358-1-25)
CF Trent Mummey (.380-15-45)
LF Brian Fletcher (.361-20-70)
1B Hunter Morris (.38-20-67)
DH Kevin Patterson (.330-16-31)
SS Casey McElroy (.330-6-37)
C Ryan Jenkins (.374-7-37)
3B Dan Gamache (.404-7-34)
2B Justin Hargett (.321-2-32)

Hunter Morris named POY

Hey everyone. Auburn 1B Hunter Morris has been named the SEC's Player of the Year.

He is Auburn's second POY. The first?

You guessed it: Tim Hudson in 1997.

Morris leads the SEC in slugging percentage (.767), hits (94), home runs (20) and total bases (1818), is second in runs scored (60), third in RBI (67) and fifth in batting average (.398).

Morris is only the second player in SEC history to win both Freshman of the Year and POY. The other was Stephen Head from Ole Miss.

Photo credit: Leffie V. Dailey/Auburn University

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

John Pawlowski speaks in HD

Please enjoy.

No ON2 version: