NCAA Baseball Tournament Auburn Regional Preview & Predictions
Last updated May 29, 2025
The four-team Auburn Regional begins May 30 at Plainsman Park, and bettors have plenty to dissect before first pitch. Host Auburn enters as the national No. 4 seed, but hungry programs from the ACC, ASUN, and NEC stand in the way. With double-elimination chaos on deck, understanding recent form, statistical edges, and the betting market is vital for anyone looking to profit.
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Auburn Regional Preview
Auburn (38-18) draws the No. 1 line and will face Northeast Conference champion Central Connecticut State (31-15) in Friday’s opener. The No. 2 seed NC State (33-19) will go up against No. 3 seed Stetson (40-20). Winners of those games will meet Saturday, while Friday’s losers scrap in an afternoon elimination contest. The bracket assures a minimum of six games and a maximum of seven, running through Sunday and Monday if necessary, under standard NCAA regional rules.
Auburn owns the nation’s third-best RPI and played one of the hardest schedules in Division I, a combination that explains why oddsmakers have installed the Tigers as clear favorites. Yet NC State’s lineup, Stetson’s relentless speed, and CCSU’s veteran core all have upset potential. Early-round pitching decisions and bullpen depth usually separate contenders from early exits in this format, so each staff’s recent workload deserves close review.
Auburn Team Preview
The Tigers thrive at home (25-6) and pack a balanced offense around Ike Irish, whose .352 average, 16 homers, and 1.130 OPS headline an attack scoring 7.5 runs per game. Chase Fralick, Cooper McMurray, and Chris Rembert give coach Butch Thompson four everyday regulars hitting at least .300. Auburn’s patience at the plate is also important, as they roll into the regionals with 260 walks as a team, as they will put pressure on opposing pitching by simply waiting them out when necessary.
On the mound, the staff ERA sits at 4.76, but the top three options are sturdier than that figure. Power right-hander Samuel Dutton (6-3, 3.58 ERA, 10.6 K/9) pairs a mid-90s fastball with a tight slider, while freshman Carson Myers (2-2, 3.09) has put together a nice season in relief. If the strike-throwing wobbles, Auburn’s offense must bail the pitching out, as it has done more than once this spring.
NC State Team Preview
NC State limps into postseason play on a three-game losing streak, yet the full-season resume shows an offense capable of scalding stretches. The Wolfpack slash line is .290/.398/.471, and Ty Head boasts a sparkling .455 OBP with 48 walks in 52 games. Chris McHugh (.378) and Josh Hogue (.308, 10 HR) supply some impact and power, while Luke Nixon adds 60 hits and 14 steals.
Run prevention has been the problem for this team. The staff ERA is 4.89, but recent workload spikes left ace Dominic Fritton (5-4, 4.00, 102 K in 83.1 IP) and sinker specialist Ryan Marohn (7-3, 3.72 ERA) with shortened rest in the ACC tournament. Anderson Nance (8-2, 3.51 ERA) offers a dependable third arm, and Andrew Shaffner (7 saves, 2.38 ERA) helps anchor the bullpen. NC State allowed just 57 homers all season and keeping the ball in the yard versus Auburn’s power is the blueprint for their success here.
Stetson Team Preview
Stetson enters this regional looking to outperform the two power conference teams in the bracket. Isaiah Barkett leads the club at .380 with more steals (30) than strikeouts (8) and headlines a lineup hitting .282 as a unit. Lorenzo Meola (11 HR) and Jordan Taylor (71 hits) help fill out the order, while five players have at least 10 steals. Stetson has swiped 128 bases on 156 attempts, an 82% success clip that applies constant pressure when the Hatters get on base.
The pitching staff enters with a 4.12 team ERA and .247 opponent average. Friday ace Jonathan Gonzalez (9-2, 1.95, 101 K, 87.2 IP) pounds the zone with a heavy sinker. Ty Van Dyke (7-0, 1.04 ERA, 9 saves) closes and can extend to three-plus innings when needed. Jake Gorelick (0.94 ERA) gives coach Steve Trimper another arm under a 2.00 ERA. If Gonzalez delivers a quality start Friday and the Hatters get into the winner’s bracket, they become a live underdog to win two games on Saturday and Sunday with bullpen freshness.
Central Connecticut Team Preview
CCSU dominated the Northeast Conference, going 23-7 in league play. The Blue Devils’ veteran core hits a sizzling .331. Aidan Redahan (.458, 69 RBI) headlines four hitters above .350, including Kyle Gordon and Louis Jordan. Their OBP parade buries mid-major pitching, but the jump in competition is stark.
Staff ace Vincent Borghese (10-2, 4.22 ERA) fronts a group with a 5.27 collective ERA. Command is solid, yet strikeout stuff beyond Borghese is limited. CCSU’s best route to a shocker is manufacturing early runs and riding Borghese deep to shorten the bullpen exposure, but the margin for error is razor thin.
Betting Insights
Auburn Regional Winner Odds
- Auburn -230
- NC State +280
- Stetson +650
- Central Connecticut +4000
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2025 Auburn Regional Prediction
Auburn’s batting order punishes fastballs middle-in, an area where NC State starters Marohn and Fritton often live. The Tigers’ on-base muscle sets up three-run homers, and Plainsman Park’s short porch in right makes Ike Irish especially dangerous. Auburn should reach Sunday undefeated. From the loser’s bracket Stetson’s bullpen projects to nibble past a weary NC State on Saturday night, only to confront Auburn on Sunday.
With two bites at the apple, Auburn’s depth should prevail. Stetson would need essentially flawless pitching and extra-base hit luck to force Monday. My projection therefore finishes with Auburn advancing to the Super Regionals ahead of Stetson, NC State, and Central Connecticut.
