This weekend, the South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Plainsman Park to face the Auburn Tigers in a pivotal three-game SEC baseball series from May 9–11, 2025. Both teams are vying for postseason positioning, making this matchup crucial as the regular season nears its end.
Team Overview
South Carolina Gamecocks (26–23, 5–19 SEC)
Under first-year head coach Paul Mainieri, the Gamecocks have experienced a challenging SEC campaign. Their conference batting average stands at .261, with a .341 on-base percentage and a .393 slugging percentage, contributing to 20 home runs and nine stolen bases in SEC play. Defensively, they maintain a solid .978 fielding percentage. However, pitching has been a significant concern, with a 7.98 ERA and opponents hitting .294 against them over 176 SEC innings.
Auburn Tigers (33–15, 13–11 SEC)
Head coach Butch Thompson’s Tigers have shown consistency throughout the season. Offensively, Auburn boasts a team batting average of .308, with key contributors like Eric Snow (.308), Cade Belyeu (.303), and Chris Rembert (.300). Their pitching staff has been more effective than South Carolina’s, contributing to their solid SEC record.
⭐ Key Players to Watch
South Carolina
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Ethan Petry: A standout hitter for the Gamecocks, Petry has been a consistent offensive force.
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Roman Kimball: As a right-handed pitcher, Kimball’s performance on the mound will be crucial in stabilizing South Carolina’s pitching woes.
Auburn
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Cooper McMurray: Leading the Tigers with a .341 batting average, McMurray is a key offensive player.
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Chase Fralick: With a .333 batting average, Fralick adds depth to Auburn’s lineup.
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Chris Rembert: Batting .300, Rembert contributes significantly to Auburn’s offensive success.
Statistical Comparison
| Category | South Carolina | Auburn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 26–20 | 33–15 |
| SEC Record | 5–16 | 13–11 |
| Team Batting Avg | .261 (SEC) | .308 |
| Team ERA | 7.98 (SEC) | 4.53 |
| Fielding Percentage | .978 (SEC) | .980 |
Auburn holds the advantage in both offensive and pitching statistics, while South Carolina’s fielding remains a strength.
️ Series Schedule & Broadcast Info
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Friday, May 9: Game 1 at 7:00 PM ET
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Saturday, May 10: Game 2 at 3:00 PM ET
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Sunday, May 11: Game 3 at 1:00 PM ET
All games will be played at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama. Broadcast details are available on the SEC Network and respective team websites.
Series Prediction
Considering Auburn’s superior offensive stats and more reliable pitching staff, they are favored to win the series. South Carolina’s struggles on the mound may hinder their ability to contain Auburn’s hitters.
Prediction: Auburn wins the series 2–1.
Sources
Auburn Tigers Athletics+2Wikipedia+2Auburn Tigers Athletics+2
Auburn Tigers Athletics+1Wikipedia+1
University of South Carolina Athletics
