Tigers forced an “if necessary” game in the Regional Championship but ultimately fell to (5) Florida State,

The Auburn Tigers’ baseball season reached a dramatic and emotional climax in the Regional Championship, where they fought tooth and nail against the fifth-ranked Florida State Seminoles. For Auburn, the season had been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with moments of brilliance and stretches of frustration. But through it all, they remained competitive and resilient, earning their place in the postseason with a chance to achieve greatness.

In the Regional Championship, the Tigers found themselves on the brink of an improbable victory, forcing an “if necessary” game after a thrilling battle. However, despite their valiant efforts, Auburn ultimately fell short to Florida State, 5-3, in a game that would mark the end of their season. The loss was hard-fought, and while it may have stung in the moment, it also highlighted the grit and determination that the Tigers had shown throughout the season.

A Season Full of Promise

The 2025 Auburn Tigers baseball team entered the season with high expectations. After finishing strong the previous year, hopes were high that the team could break through and make a deep run in the postseason. Head coach Butch Thompson, a leader with a wealth of experience in both the college ranks and professional baseball, had a squad that was well-rounded, with solid pitching, explosive hitters, and a defense that could match up with any team in the nation.

The Tigers’ offense, in particular, had been a force to be reckoned with all season. They were explosive at the plate, with a lineup that featured a mix of veteran power hitters and young, emerging talents who could provide both contact and pop. Auburn’s pitching staff, led by their ace, had been consistently solid, although they would need to be at their best in the postseason to compete with the high-caliber teams in the field.

The SEC had provided plenty of challenges throughout the regular season, but Auburn had answered every call, finishing in the upper half of the league standings and earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. As the Tigers prepared for the Regional Championship, they felt they had the talent and the belief to make a run to the College World Series. But they would have to go through Florida State, one of the top teams in the country, to claim a spot in the Super Regionals.

The Battle to Force an “If Necessary” Game

The Regional Championship against Florida State would turn out to be a microcosm of the Tigers’ entire season—full of adversity, determination, and a refusal to back down. The first game in the series had been a back-and-forth affair, with Auburn playing strong baseball for much of the contest. However, Florida State’s depth and experience ultimately proved to be the difference, as the Seminoles pulled ahead in the late innings to take a 7-4 win.

Despite the loss, the Tigers refused to hang their heads. They knew the road to the Super Regionals wasn’t over. Auburn was not going to let their season end quietly. Their determination and fight came to the forefront in the second game of the Regional Championship, where they forced the “if necessary” game with a 6-4 victory.

The win was hard-earned. Auburn’s pitching staff, while not as dominant as they would have liked, kept them in the game long enough for the offense to produce. The Tigers rallied from a 4-2 deficit, scoring four unanswered runs in the final three innings. The offense, which had struggled in certain spots throughout the season, found their rhythm when it mattered most, with clutch hits coming from both veterans and newcomers alike.

Defensively, Auburn showed resilience, making critical plays to shut down Florida State’s potent lineup. The Tigers’ bullpen, which had been one of the team’s weaknesses earlier in the year, came up big in the late innings, with timely strikeouts and key outs that kept the Seminoles from putting the game out of reach.

When the final out was made in the second game, Auburn had forced the “if necessary” game, sending them back to the diamond for one final shot at the Super Regionals. The Tigers were riding high on momentum, knowing that this was their last chance to keep their season alive.

The Regional Championship: A Hard-Fought Finale

As the “if necessary” game approached, the stakes were at their highest. For Auburn, this was the culmination of an entire season of effort, and they weren’t about to let it slip away easily. The Tigers had proven throughout the year that they were a team that could compete with anyone, and they hoped that the third time would be the charm in this final game.

From the first pitch, it was clear that both teams were locked in. Florida State, a team with deep talent and postseason experience, wasn’t going to let up. The Seminoles came out swinging, determined to avoid any further drama. However, Auburn responded with an intensity and passion that made it clear they weren’t just going to roll over.

The game was a tense affair, with both teams exchanging runs early. Auburn took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a clutch two-run double by the Tigers’ cleanup hitter, who had been outstanding all tournament long. Florida State answered quickly, scoring two runs in the third inning to regain the lead. It was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team willing to give an inch.

But as the game wore on, Auburn’s pitching staff began to show signs of fatigue. Florida State, known for its disciplined approach at the plate, capitalized on mistakes. A leadoff walk followed by a double allowed the Seminoles to take a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning. Auburn’s offense, which had been explosive at times throughout the season, couldn’t find its rhythm against Florida State’s pitching staff, which was hitting its stride at just the right moment.

As the game entered the later innings, the Tigers remained within striking distance. They managed to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Florida State’s pitcher bore down, striking out the final two batters to end the threat. It was a gut-punch for Auburn, who had one last chance to take the lead but couldn’t get the big hit.

In the top of the eighth, Florida State delivered the dagger. A two-run home run stretched the Seminoles’ lead to 5-2, and it became clear that Auburn’s dream of a Super Regional appearance was slipping away. The Tigers tried to mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth, but Florida State’s closer, who had been nearly untouchable all season, retired the final three batters with ease.

The Aftermath: A Season to Be Proud Of

When the final out was recorded, Auburn’s season had come to a heartbreaking end. The Tigers had given everything they had, but Florida State’s depth and experience ultimately proved to be the difference. Auburn had fought valiantly, and they had nothing to be ashamed of. They had pushed the fifth-ranked team in the country to the brink, forcing a decisive game and showing that they belonged on the national stage.

For Auburn’s players, it was a tough pill to swallow. They had put in countless hours of work, endured their fair share of adversity, and come within one game of making a historic postseason run. While the sting of the loss would remain for some time, there was also a sense of pride in what they had accomplished.

Head coach Butch Thompson, known for his ability to develop players and build strong teams, took solace in the fact that his squad had shown heart and determination when the chips were down. “I’m incredibly proud of these guys,” Thompson said after the game. “They never gave up. They fought until the very end. Florida State is a great team, and they deserved to win, but I’m proud of what we’ve built here, and we’ll be back next year stronger than ever.”

The loss marked the end of an era for several Auburn seniors, who had left it all on the field in their final season. Their leadership and contributions throughout the year had been vital to the Tigers’ success, and while their careers were over, their legacy would live on.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settled and Auburn’s 2025 season came to an end, the Tigers’ players, coaches, and fans knew that the future was bright. The Tigers had made significant strides under Thompson’s leadership, and while the Regional Championship loss was a bitter disappointment, it was also a reminder of just how close Auburn was to taking that next step.

With a strong core of young players and an influx of talented recruits, Auburn’s baseball program had a solid foundation for years to come. The loss to Florida State would sting, but it also served as fuel for the fire, motivating the Tigers to come back even stronger in the future.

Auburn baseball may not have advanced to the Super Regionals in 2025, but the Tigers had proven they were a force to be reckoned with. And as they looked to the future, there was no doubt that they would be a team to watch in the coming seasons.