/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13711245/16auburn1.0.jpg)
For the third consecutive season and fourth time in five years under head coach John Pawlowski, Auburn baseball was not picked for the NCAA Tournament when the field was announced Monday.
Shortly before the selection show, Auburn received a bad omen from left fielder Cullen Wacker.
Can officially say I'm no longer an Auburn Tiger
— Cullen Wacker (@cullenwacker3) May 27, 2013
The Tigers finished the regular season with three straight impressive series wins, taking two of three from Ole Miss, Florida and Arkansas. The Rebels, Gators and Razorbacks ended the year ranked Nos. 20, 35 and 31, respectively, in the RPI. However, Auburn's lower RPI (43) and awful non-conference schedule likely kept the orange and blue home.
The Gators and Texas A&M were the last two teams from the SEC to get in over the Tigers, despite both dropping home series to Auburn. Florida was rewarded for its tough strength of schedule, topped only by Miami, and their superior RPI. The Ags also had a better RPI (33), and A&M athletic director Eric Hyman being on the selection committee didn't hurt their cause.
Nine teams from the SEC advanced to play in a Regional: No. 2 national seed Vanderbilt, No. 4 LSU, Mississippi State, Arkansas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida and Texas A&M.