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Auburn falls 6-2 against Aggies in SEC opener

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | March 13

Auburn was defeated 6-2 by No. 6 Texas A&M on Friday, March 13, at Blue Bell Park in College Station, Texas. Jordan Ebert extended his reached-base streak to 18 games after he singled and walked twice. Auburn pitcher Keegan Thompson allowed six runs on 10 hits, struck out four batters and walked four in 6-plus innings. Auburn (13-5) scored early on an RBI single from first baseman Daniel Robert, but the Aggies took a 4-1 lead in the second inning after Hunter Melton hit a grand slam off Thompson. The Tigers scored once more in the fourth inning after catcher Blake Logan knocked in shortstop Cody Nulph with an RBI double. Texas A&M (19-0) extended their lead in bottom of the eighth as Melton hit a two-run double to make the final score 6-2. Auburn and Texas A&M will square off in game two of the series Saturday, March 14, at 4 p.m.

No. 7 Auburn gymnastics defeats North Carolina on Senior Night

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | March 13

In their final home, regular season meet, the Auburn seniors were sent off with a 197.100-194.025 win over North Carolina on Friday night, March 13, in Auburn Arena. Seniors Bri Guy, Caryn Kadous, Kelsey Thomasson, Megan Walker and Brittany Webster were honored before the meet. As a part of coach Jeff Graba’s first recruiting class, the seniors helped build the program from the ground up, which Graba appreciates. “I remember talking to them early on about, ‘Hey, if you guys buy into the program and help us lead, we’ll get somewhere really special’,” Graba said.

Auburn men’s tennis falls to Alabama

By Patrick Lucas | Sports Writer | March 13

Patrick Lucas Sports Writer Auburn’s men’s tennis team took on in-state rival Alabama Friday in Auburn.

Softball previews first SEC opponent

March 13

Lauren Christopher At a 23-2 record, the Tigers have brought their softball program to new heights as a powerhouse so far in the 2015 season. Most opponents have been breezy for the team, which now stands twelfth in the NCAA rankings, recently taking down number 13, Arizona, but the stigma connected with an SEC against SEC match brings pressure for Auburn’s performance. The team is set to compete against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday night, March 14, who not only shares conferences with Auburn, but also the experience of a new coach. Head coach Clint Myers said, “They’ve got some things that they’re trying to change for this weekend.

Harrell's buzzer beater extends Auburn's SEC Tournament run

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | March 13

They’re not dead yet.

UPDATED: Malzahn holds high hopes for defense’s first spring practice

March 13

With this year’s addition of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to the coaching staff, changes, and hopefully improvements, are sure to follow on the defensive line.

Muschamp expects defense to take advantage of opportunity in spring practice

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | March 13

Expected to clean up an Auburn defense that hasn’t finished in the top half of the SEC since 2007, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said he needs to know the players he can count on and the one’s that will be able to make adjustments come game time. The players that can’t do those two things are going to be replaced with someone who can, Muschamp said. “I told them all I am going to guarantee is an opportunity,” Muschamp said.

Exhibitions await Tigers in the offseason

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | March 13

Following a 12-win season where Auburn was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament’s second round by a free kick from midfield, the Tigers are anxious to return to the field this spring. “We’re very ready,” said junior forward Casie Ramsier.

Harrell, defense, push Tigers to quarterfinal

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 13

Bruce Pearl’s program turnaround effort is in full force. For the first time since 2000, the Auburn basketball team has won back-to-back games in the SEC Tournament, today’s win a 66-59 comeback victory over the fifth seed Texas A&M. The Tigers came out firing, but found themselves in a 10 point hole at halftime, down 33-23.

Jeremy Johnson top contender for quarterback

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | March 13

It’s been a long two years for Jeremy Johnson. The No. 5 overall quarterback in the class of 2013, according to Rivals.com, Johnson has spent the majority of the last two seasons watching from the sideline as the Nick Marshall-led Tigers raced to SEC and BCS Championship Games.

Auburn knocks off Mississippi State, Advances to second round of SEC Tournament

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | March 12

For the first time since 2009, Auburn will be playing on the second day of the SEC Tournament. Coach Bruce Pearl’s first season will last for at least one more day, as his Auburn Tigers snapped a six-game losing streak by knocking off the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 74-68, behind 56 combined points from K.C.

Lutzenkirchen’s father preserves son’s legacy​

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 12

On June 30, 2014, former standout Auburn tight end and fan favorite Philip Lutzenkirchen made a decision. After a night of drinking, Philip got into the backseat of a Chevrolet Tahoe that was being driven by Joseph Ian Davis. Neither Davis nor Philip made it out alive after Davis failed to stop at a stop sign.

Mike Lutzenkirchen reaches out to students during emotional 'Lessons from Lutz'

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | March 12

“My son was a 23-year old man and was mature beyond his age because of Auburn University,” Lutzenkirchen said. “Philip made the choice to do what he did and he made the choice to get in that vehicle. I just don’t want to see other kids make it. That gives me strength to have a conversation about those details.”

Softball defeats Troy in second competition

March 11

It was only a two-run game for the Tigers on Wednesday, March 11, against Troy, but two was all they needed to seal the victory, allowing no runs from the Trojans. Coming back into Alabama from sunny Fullerton, California with three out of five game wins, the Tiger’s were in great shape to battle the Trojans for the second time this season, even if they still aren’t back at Jane B.

12 Tigers qualify for NCAA Championships

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | March 11

Twelve athletes (10 swimmers and two divers) punched their ticket to compete in the 2015 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships March 26-28 in Iowa City, Iowa. The swimmers who earned a place in the competition are senior Alex Hancock, junior Arthur Mendes, sophomores Kyle Darmody, Michael Duderstadt and Joe Patching and freshmen Peter Holoda, Jacob Molacek, Hugo Morris and Zack Warner. Senior Fraser McKean will lead the divers and compete on the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform for the second straight year after his performances at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships March 9-11.

Golloway feels confident heading into conference opener

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | March 11

With his Auburn squad sitting at 13-4 heading into conference play, coach Sunny Golloway said he feels his team is ready to get into the thick of the season. “We’re excited to be going to Texas A&M and excited to be starting conference play,” Golloway said during Wednesday’s teleconference.

Pearl, Tigers look toward Nashville

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 11

It’s do or die time. From here on out, every game for Auburn’s men’s basketball team could be their last of the season as begin Southeastern Conference tournament play Wednesday, March 11, in Nashville, Tennessee. The first opponent is a familiar one in the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who the Tigers lost to 78-71 at Auburn Arena in January.

Samford takes down Auburn at home

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | March 11

Derek Thompson Sports Reporter Samford takes down Auburn at home In-state opponent Samford defeated Auburn 6-0 Tuesday, March 10 at Plainsman Park. It was all Samford (5-8) as the Tigers committed six errors, gave up three unearned runs and couldn’t get the bats going against Bulldog’s pitcher Parker Curry. Curry picked up the win after the junior gave up only five hits, allowed zero runs, no walks and recorded seven strikeouts through eight innings. “We looked at the pitch count,” said head coach Sunny Golloway.