SOFTBALL
The Tigers had their eight game winning streak snapped in Game 1 of last night's double-header in Tallahassee against the #11 Seminoles, but did come back to snag Game 2. Game 1 was doomed by a 7 run 2nd inning for FSU, led by a grand slam. What was strange was that while the Tigers scored a number of runs in Game 2, not a one of them was off a home run. They did manage one in Game 1, though, bringing the season total to 66 home runs in 34 games.
SWIMMING AND DIVING
The Men's NCAA Championships begin today out in Iowa. You can check out details on it on the official site.
FOOTBALL
Lots of stuff out there on the football front, as beat writers are releasing stories they've built up in the first two weeks of Spring.. First some sad news, though. Former Tiger Jimmy "Red" Phillips, a member of the 1957 National Championship team, passed away yesterday.
The official site addresses the race for the starting center spot between Austin Golson and Xavier Dampeer. I don't see Deon Mix's name mentioned in that article. Earlier in the spring he was mentioned as someone who could battle for that spot, as well. I'm guessing either that experiment has been dropped, or it was only ever an "emergency cross training" type thing where they wanted someone with snaps in case there is a serious need for reshuffling on the offensive line due to injuries.
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has two different things up about running back Peyton Barber. One is a video of him meeting with media, while the other is a story based on that video interview session.
AL.com says early enrollee Tim Irvin is pushing for serious playing time, already. Last week it was mentioned that Irvin was practicing even with his arm in a sling from a minor injury. It's obvious he really wants to get on the field and that the coaches think he can be a big part of the defense. I think stealing Irvin from Texas late in the recruiting cycle is going to be a big boost for Auburn's defense in the future.
On the offensive front, coordinator Rhett Lashlee thinks senior Ricardo Louis may finally be ready to step up to his full potential, while Gus Malzahn is looking at Marcus Davis. Duke Williams' return means a ton for this receiving corps, but in order for Jeremy Johnson (or Sean White (it'll be Johnson)) to have great success throwing the football, the Tigers are going to need more than one truly reliable receiver.
Roc Thomas is trying to put that first play of the 2014 Iron Bowl behind him and move forward. Last season was one of the strangest things I've ever seen where the Tigers fumbled the ball on the first play of the game in three different games. All lead directly to seven points for the opponent on the ensuing drive, and those were three of Auburn's five losses, too.
ESPN.com has two features highlighting Auburn players. One is which player from each SEC team will be missed the most. They say Reese Dismukes, which is hard to argue with. The second feature is highlighting the best offensive skill players in the SEC. Auburn's Duke Williams makes that list.