Auburn took two of three from Ole Miss last weekend to get itself back to .500 in conference play after starting the year 2-7.
The series victory put the Tigers (22-17) in a tie with Arkansas and Ole Miss for first place in the SEC West at 9-9, with four weekends left in league play. Auburn holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over both, having won two of three against the Razorbacks and Rebels at Plainsman Park.
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Here’s how the SEC West looks, with remaining opponents after the league record:
Auburn…………… 9-9 — at USC, vs. UGA, vs. ALA, at TENN
Arkansas…………. 9-9 — at UGA, vs. FLA, at USC, vs. MISS
Ole Miss…………. 9-9 — at FLA, vs. USC, vs. MSU, at ARK
Alabama…………. 8-10 — at MSU, vs. LSU, at AUB, vs. USC
Mississippi State.. 7-11 — vs. ALA, at TENN, at MISS, vs. LSU
LSU……………… 4-14 — vs. KY, at ALA, vs. TENN, at MSU
The weekend win puts Auburn in a good position for the eight-team, double elimination SEC tournament in Hoover from May 25-29. Although the East has the higher-ranked teams (South Carolina, Florida and Vanderbilt are all in the top-five nationally), the West’s winner is guaranteed the No. 2 seed. Using the tiebreakers, here’s how the tournament field would look like if the season ended today:
1. South Carolina….. 14-4 (East leader)
2. Auburn………….. 9-9 (West leader)
3. Florida…………… 14-4
4. Vanderbilt……….. 14-4
5. Georgia………….. 11-7
6. Arkansas…………. 9-9
7. Ole Miss………….. 9-9
8. Alabama…………. 8-10
NOT IN:
9. Mississippi State.. 7-11
10. Tennessee …….. 5-13
11. LSU …………….. 4-14
12. Kentucky ………. 4-14