AUBURN, Ala. – With his team ranked in the top 10 in all of college baseball’s preseason polls, Butch Thompson leaned into those expectations Saturday at the Auburn Diamond Club’s 25th annual preseason banquet.
“We cannot deny, we should not deny that our goal for this baseball program, after being here 10 years, is to try to be the last team standing,” Thompson said to the 500 attendees who filled the Neville Arena floor. “This program has not been in a better, stronger place.”
Chosen by their teammates, Auburn captains catcher Lucas Steele, pitcher Alex Petrovic and infielders Chris Rembert and Eric Guevara took part in a panel discussion, with Steele sharing advice for the Tigers’ nine true freshmen.
“Soak in the moment,” said Steele, a senior catcher. “Being able to enjoy every moment, have fun playing the game no matter what your role is, is a big part of getting the full experience.”
A second player panel included catcher Chase Fralick, infielder Todd Clay and outfielders Bub Terrell and Cade Belyeu.
“I want to be a catcher that every pitcher wants to throw to,” said Fralick, who made the SEC All-Freshman team in 2025 after hitting .335 while catching 48 games. “I want to be the catcher that has every pitcher’s back and they trust me to call the right pitches, they have conviction in those pitches to get every hitter out.”
Terrell, who joined Fralick and Rembert on the 2025 SEC All-Freshman Team, wrapped up the roundtable with a message to Diamond Club members and guests.
“We are grateful for each and every one of you,” Terrell said. “We can’t wait for all of you to come out and support us Feb. 13.”
Auburn opens the 2026 season Feb. 13-15 vs. Youngstown State at Plainsman Park, then hosts Cincinnati Feb. 17 before traveling to Arlington, Texas, to face Kansas State, Florida State and Louisville Feb. 20-22.
One of seven programs nationally to host NCAA regionals in three of the past four seasons, Auburn hosted a super regional for the first time last year, further fueling Thompson’s drive to chase the biggest prize.
“We’re trying to win a national championship,” said Thompson, in his 11th season as head coach. “We’re in an amazing position for 10 years and people are all in. This is a time to capitalize. This isn’t just a baseball program, this is a family. People have absolutely invested and it’s huge, so we have a lot to play for in ’26.”