Following a top 25 finish to the baseball season, the Auburn Tigers are preparing for next year, hoping to build on their success.
"Coach Pawlowski has brought that whole winning mentality back," said senior pitcher Sean Ray. "Every time we go out there we expect to win, which has affected the way we practice and our confidence level has gone up."
The Tigers have been doing intra-squad practices, looking to get as many young guys incorporated as possible.
"We have a lot of older guys in the field so the young guys will be able to learn from them," Ray said. "They might not contribute as much this year, but I think next year and in the future we're in good shape."
The Tigers look to replace 11 players who were drafted in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.
The 11 players set a record for the most Auburn players drafted in a single season and tied for the most nationally last season.
"It is going to be important, especially for our newcomers, to see how they respond in a competitive environment," said head coach John Pawlowski. "When we start team practice, we will get a lot of opportunities to scrimmage. It is going to be a very competitive fall, maybe one of the most competitive since I have been here. With all of the departures that we had, there are a lot of positions, not only on the mound but also in the field, that are up for grabs."
Pawlowski will look to infuse the newcomers with talented returning starters that chose to forego the draft for another season at Auburn.
Pawlowski enters his second season as head coach and was given a contract extension through 2015.
"Our staff will continue to work and build a program that we all can be proud, of both on and off the field and in the classroom," Pawlowski said. "Winning the West and having the opportunity to not only participate in, but to host a NCAA Regional last year will certainly help us as we prepare for the 2011 season and beyond."
Fall practice will end with the annual home run derby and alumni game Oct. 22 at 4 p.m.
The day after the home run derby, Auburn will honor its 2010 Western Division Baseball Championship team on Pat Dye field during halftime of the Auburn-LSU football game.
Auburn starts their season Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. against the Arkansas State Redwolves.
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