'The finest journey': Auburn prepares for College World Series

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Grayson Belanger/AU Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. – Auburn packed a week's worth of action into the Tigers' first full day in Omaha.

A team photo, dozens of interviews, practice at Charles Schwab Field, a parade and opening ceremonies.

The festivities concluded prematurely Thursday night when lightning was detected near the stadium, but the fireworks still exploded, two days before Auburn hopes to produce its own thunder and pyrotechnics Saturday vs. SEC West rival Ole Miss.

This CWS could be rebranded as the 'SEC West Invitational' with four Western Division teams represented, along with incoming Southeastern Conference members Oklahoma and Texas.  

"We had an amazing journey through the rigorous SEC and still looks like we'll have to compete against some of those foes here this week," said Auburn coach Butch Thompson, who has led the Tigers to two World Series appearances in the past three seasons. "This is personally year 30, and it may have been the finest journey for me.

"That's because of our players, our student-athletes, and how they've worked for us, watching amazing moments, having a front-row seat to some amazing things they've done.

"They've been challenged with low expectations, and it just drove them even more to this point. We're walking in here thinking we're not done yet. That's a great feeling for a baseball team.

"We hope the best is yet to come this week but we're sure thankful to be here. This is the pinnacle for us and for college baseball."

Auburn advanced to Omaha by steamrolling through an NCAA Tournament regional at Plainsman Park, then winning the Corvallis Super Regional vs. Oregon State.

"Our motto of 'not done yet' is really sticking with us," senior outfielder Kason Howell said. "It's really taken a hold of this team. We have a great vision of winning a national championship, bringing home that trophy for the first time in this program."

"The motto back in 2019 was 'let's make it to Omaha,'" said senior pitcher Carson Skipper. "This year it's go out and 'let's win a national championship.' Just making it here is not good enough for us."

On Friday, the Tigers will visit Offutt Air Force Base, then practice at an Omaha high school before hoping to break out their celebratory Top Gun hats if Auburn can defeat Ole Miss Saturday at 6 p.m. CT in their tournament opener.  

"As a freshman, it took me probably three innings to realize what was going on when I was out there, because I was amazed how cool the stadium was," said Howell, a starter on Auburn's 2019 CWS team. "Like Coach Thompson said, the low expectations have driven us all year. It's still driving us. It hasn't stopped. I think this team is very unified and we have a great chance to do it."Auburn coach Butch Thompson talks to the TIgers Thursday at Charles Schwab Field

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer