New season, same expectations for Auburn baseball team

It’s just about that time for baseball season, and with Auburn High School beginning the year ranked No. 21 in MaxPreps’ national Top-25 rankings, expectations are what you'd expect.

Coming off the heels of a state championship-winning campaign in 2021, the Tigers had another deep playoff run in 2022.

However, the Tigers ultimately bowed out in the state semifinals to area rival Central after a decisive three-game series.

So with Central being a rival club, is there any motivation to avenge that loss and win a tough area?

“I’m sure it is because it’s an area rival in Central,” said Auburn head coach Matt Cimo. “So that would be very motivational. This year in our area we’ve got — Opelika’s come back in our area, so that’s another great rivalry, so our area is getting more competitive with four teams in it rather than three.”

The Tigers have another deep and experienced roster as they boast a few D-1 commits including Cade Belyeu and Jace Norton who are committed to Auburn and Mississippi State, respectively. They are also led by Brenden Bryant, an Alabama-Huntsville commit, and Silas Mason and Caleb Maxwell.

Their junior class is strong, too, as it includes Tanner Waldrop, an Auburn commit and Henry Allen, a Mississippi State commit.

“Our strongest is I think we have some really good offensive players,” Cimo said. “Overall, we have a whole lot of kids coming back.”

— By Henry Patton