This year's baseball team has loads of experience under their belts with 11 seniors on the roster.
The veteran senior class will be mixed with one of the most highly rated freshmen classes in the SEC as well.
In order for the freshmen class to fulfill their potential, they have looked to the senior leaders to guide them.
"I think we have a great chance to make a great impact. It also speaks volumes of our senior class," freshman pitcher Kevin Davis said. "Obviously our team is not about any individuals, it's not about one single guy. It's about Auburn, the Auburn family and it's about getting to Omaha."
New Auburn head coach Sunny Golloway said Davis, who pitched for Team USA this summer, is one of two freshmen right-handed pitchers who could potentially fill the Friday night or Sunday spot in the pitching rotation.
The other freshman pitcher is Keegan Thompson, who is likely going to be in the starting rotation while also fighting for a starting job at first base and designated hitter.
"He's shown us a glimpse of maybe what Tim Hudson was back in the day and that's saying a lot. He can really swing the bat," Golloway said. "I like his athleticism around first base and the way he competes on the mound with his quiet nature but competitiveness."
The talent of the freshmen class does not stop at pitchers.
Auburn also has one of the top shortstops from the state of Florida, Damon Haecker, who is starting at second base right now.
Another freshman, Anfernee Greer, was the No. 1 high school player from the state of Alabama. Greer is currently going to be the starting right fielder on opening day Feb. 14 in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Golloway has given praise to coaches on last year's staff who were uncertain of their role this year because they still worked hard to recruit an impressive freshmen class.
"How does (pitching coach) Scott Foxhall continue to show character during the transition, not even knowing if he's going to have a job and still land these guys speaks volumes to him," Golloway said.
Golloway has also highlighted the senior class as being a tremendous help during the transition period.
"Their attitude and effort have been outstanding. Those are two things you control every day in your life regardless of baseball or what you do in life," Golloway said. "Your attitude and your effort: you control those things and our seniors have done a great job controlling that."
Senior centerfielder Ryan Tella is looking forward to bounce back from his junior year season and "go out with a bang" his senior season by making a regional.
"Being a part of a huge senior class with all of these guys that I've played with the past three years, it means a lot to us to persevere and make a good example for the younger class," Tella said. "We've all played together, we've gotten the younger guys beyond where we need them to be. Once the 14th hits they're not freshmen anymore, so they're almost there, it's going to be good."
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