CWS Game Preview: Ole Miss takes on familiar SEC West foe in Auburn
OMAHA — Ole Miss will take on a familiar opponent Saturday evening when the Rebels play their first game of the College World Series, facing fellow SEC West foe, Auburn, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
Earlier in the season, Ole Miss took two out of three from the Tigers at Plainsman Park, as the Rebels outscored Auburn, 33-27, over three games.
Make no mistake — Auburn is a team that can swing it. They put up 41 runs in their Regional where they went 3-0, advancing to the Super Regionals against Oregon State. They were then able to punch their ticket to Omaha after winning a one-run game three over the Beavers.
Scouting the Tigers
Auburn comes in with a 42-30 overall, 16-13 SEC record. Their offense is led by Sonny DiCharia (.392/.560/.809), also known as “Sonny D,” who has notched 22 HR and 59 RBI this season.
A LITTLE DOSE OF SONNY D! 🍊
Auburn kicking off the late slate hot!pic.twitter.com/cF0NdNMBxi
— Bryan S (@iBronzeTV) June 12, 2022
On the mound they have a one-two punch of Trace Bright (4-4) and Joseph Gonzalez (7-3). The two have combined for 145 strikeouts while only walking 52 over 149 innings pitched. Out of the bullpen, their closer Blake Burkhalter has tallied 15 saves in 29 appearances over a span of 44 innings pitched.
This past weekend in Corvallis, Bright started game one, Gonzalez started game two and Mason Barnett started game three.
Joseph Gonzalez gets the start for Auburn
Auburn will run Joseph Gonzalez out for game one versus Ole Miss. The right-handed sophomore’s most impressive appearance was his outing against Vanderbilt, where he pitched a complete game while only giving up one earned run en route to striking out eight and walking none.
JOSEPH GONZALEZ COMPLETE GAME 8 KS 🔥🔥
Auburn takes the series over Vanderbilt. Their 3rd straight SEC series win. pic.twitter.com/saOgu9WcLh
— 11Point7: The College Baseball Podcast 🎙 (@11point7) April 10, 2022
The eight-strikeout performance tied his season high; he notched the same number against Rhode Island early in the season.
Gonzalez does a good job of limiting walks, as he only has given up 14 over the span of 73 1/3 innings this season. His 2.95 ERA is impressive, especially given that he has been pitching against an SEC West schedule that has four representatives playing in the CWS.
Opponents are hitting .271 against Gonzalez this season.
The Rebels will send Dylan DeLucia to the mound against the Tigers. DeLucia sits at 6-2 on the season with a 4.35 ERA. He’s notched 88 Ks and 26 BBs.
Game Info
Ole Miss and Auburn will face off in the night game Saturday at Charles Schwab with first pitch set for 6 pm CT.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
