Category: General

General

Update: Be prepared for strong thunderstorms in Baldwin County early Saturday morning – gusts may reach 50 mph

The National Weather Service issued an updated weather alert at 4:11 a.m. on Saturday for strong thunderstorms until 5 a.m. for Baldwin County.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

“At 4:11 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 5 miles west of Bon Secour, or 8 miles northwest of Gulf Shores, moving east at 20 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Elberta, Orange Beach, Foley, Gulf Shores, Magnolia Springs and Bon Secour.

The weather service adds, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:

Lightning safety plan:

When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.

Wait for the all-clear:

After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Mastering wet roads: Safety tips for heavy rainfall

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it’s prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and stay cautious:

On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Dense fog advisory in place for Central Alabama Friday morning – visibility down to 1/4 mile

The National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory at 6:20 a.m. on Friday in effect until 9 a.m. for Calhoun, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and St. Clair counties.

The weather service states to expect, “Visibility one quarter to one half mile in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” explains the weather service. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

Guidance from the weather service for navigating foggy conditions

When a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility can plummet to a quarter-mile or less. These conditions pose challenges for travel, so exercise extra caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.

If driving through fog becomes inevitable, remember these safety guidelines:

Reduce speed:

Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility matters:

Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.

Avoid high-beams:

Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Keep your distance:

Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.

Stay in your lane:

Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.

Zero visibility protocol:

In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.

No parking options:

If no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Update: Rip current statement issued for Mobile and Baldwin counties until Tuesday morning

On Saturday at 2:01 a.m. an updated rip current statement was issued by the National Weather Service valid from 7 a.m. until Tuesday 6 a.m. for Mobile and Baldwin counties.

The weather service says, “Dangerous rip currents expected.”

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” describes the weather service. “Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”

What to do if you get caught in a rip current?

Rip currents, swift channels of water flowing away from the shore at surf beaches, can turn a day at the beach into a dangerous situation. Understanding how to respond when caught in one is crucial. The weather service offers these life-saving tips:

Stay calm – they won’t drag you under:

Don’t panic – rip currents won’t pull you underwater.

Go with the flow, but not toward the beach:

Trying to swim directly toward the beach when caught in a rip current is futile and exhausting. The current is too strong. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and away from the rip current’s grip.

Call for help if necessary:

If you find yourself unable to reach the shore, try to relax. Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms. This increases your visibility to potential rescuers.

Seek lifeguarded beaches:

Whenever feasible, choose beaches with lifeguards on duty. Their trained eyes and rapid response can be a lifesaver in water emergencies.

Never brave the waves alone on unguarded shores:

If you choose to swim on beaches without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Take a friend and have that person take a cell phone so that person can call 911 for help.

With these insights into rip currents and how to react, you can enhance your safety when enjoying the beach. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize your well-being while relishing the surf.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Update: The current dense fog advisory for North Alabama will expire at 9 a.m.

The advisory was active for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman counties.

“Fog across the area was eroding, therefore a Dense Fog Advisory has been allowed to expire at 9 a.m.,” says the National Weather Service.

Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels

If driving in fog becomes unavoidable, remember these safety tips:

Reduce speed:

Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.

Visibility matters:

Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.

Avoid high-beams:

Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Maintain safe gaps:

Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.

Visibility near zero:

In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.

No parking options:

If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Update: Dense fog advisory issued for Alabama Friday morning – limited visibility

On Friday at 6:20 a.m. an updated dense fog advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 9 a.m. for Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Etowah and Cherokee counties.

The weather service states to prepare for, “Visibility one quarter to one half mile in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” comments the weather service. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the weather service

If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:

Moderate your speed:

Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.

Avoid high-beams:

Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.

Keep your distance:

Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

Visibility near zero:

In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.

No parking options:

If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these recommendations from the weather service, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

General

Dear Annie: My neighbor expects me to be her personal gardener for free

Dear Annie: I’m an avid gardener in a suburban neighborhood, and in turn, I meet lots of neighbors. There’s one lady who keeps stopping by with questions about her yard, which I’m happy to help answer. She even asked if I would go with her to the local nursery to help her select new plants for her garden bed, to which I agreed.

She canceled at the last minute via text. No apologies were given. Since then, she’s knocked on my door and continues to text me with questions without a please or thank you. Her last text said she was able to pick up plants on a specific day but wasn’t feeling well enough to plant them (hint hint). All this after I’ve told her no, this doesn’t work for me.

My husband suggested quoting her a rate for my services. However, I have no desire to communicate on any level with her. Is it rude to block her and ignore her? — Plant Peeved

Dear Plant Peeved: It’s not rude to stand by your boundaries. You were generous with your time and knowledge, and when someone repeatedly disrespects that, they lose their access to it.

You’ve already told this woman no, and she hasn’t listened. At this point, blocking or ignoring her may be the only way forward. Since you’re neighbors, if you prefer to keep things cordial, you could send a brief and final message recommending a local gardener or service she can contact instead if she wants to.

Friendship of any sort should be a two-way street. You don’t deserve to be taken for granted.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].

General

Judge pauses much of Trump administration’s massive downsizing of federal agencies

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Trump administration must halt much of its dramatic downsizing of the federal workforce, a California judge ordered Friday.

Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco issued the emergency order in a lawsuit filed last week by labor unions and cities, one of multiple legal challenges to Republican President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the size of a federal government he calls bloated and expensive.

“The Court holds the President likely must request Congressional cooperation to order the changes he seeks, and thus issues a temporary restraining order to pause large-scale reductions in force in the meantime,” Illston wrote in her order.

The temporary restraining order directs numerous federal agencies to halt acting on the president’s workforce executive order signed in February and a subsequent memo issued by the Department of Government Efficiency and the Office of Personnel Management.

The order, which expires in 14 days, does not require departments to rehire people. Plaintiffs asked that the effective date of any agency action be postponed and that departments stop implementing or enforcing the executive order, including taking any further action.

They limited their request to departments where dismantlement is already underway or poised to be underway, including at the the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which announced in March it will lay off 10,000 workers and centralize divisions.

Illston, who was nominated to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, said at a hearing Friday the president has authority to seek changes in the executive branch departments and agencies created by Congress.

“But he must do so in lawful ways,” she said. “He must do so with the cooperation of Congress, the Constitution is structured that way.”

Trump has repeatedly said voters gave him a mandate to remake the federal government, and he tapped billionaire Elon Musk to lead the charge through DOGE.

Tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired, left their jobs via deferred resignation programs or have been placed on leave as a result of Trump’s government-shrinking efforts. There is no official figure for the job cuts, but at least 75,000 federal employees took deferred resignation, and thousands of probationary workers have already been let go.

In her order, Illston gave several examples to show the impact of the downsizing. One union that represents federal workers who research health hazards faced by mineworkers said it was poised to lose 221 of 222 workers in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, office; a Vermont farmer didn’t receive a timely inspection on his property to receive disaster aid after flooding and missed an important planting window; a reduction in Social Security Administration workers has led to longer wait times for recipients.

All the agencies impacted were created by Congress, she noted.

Lawyers for the government argued Friday that the executive order and memo calling for large-scale personnel reductions and reorganization plans provided only general principles that agencies should follow in exercising their own decision-making process.

“It expressly invites comments and proposals for legislative engagement as part of policies that those agencies wish to implement,” Eric Hamilton, a deputy assistant attorney general, said of the memo. “It is setting out guidance.”

But Danielle Leonard, an attorney for plaintiffs, said it was clear that the president, DOGE and OPM were making decisions outside of their authority and not inviting dialogue from agencies.

“They are not waiting for these planning documents” to go through long processes, she said. “They’re not asking for approval, and they’re not waiting for it.”

The temporary restraining order applies to departments including the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Labor, Interior, State, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.

It also applies to the National Science Foundation, Small Business Association, Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.

Some of the labor unions and nonprofit groups are also plaintiffs in another lawsuit before a San Francisco judge challenging the mass firings of probationary workers. In that case, Judge William Alsup ordered the government in March to reinstate those workers, but the U.S. Supreme Court later blocked his order.

Plaintiffs include the cities of San Francisco, Chicago and Baltimore; labor group American Federation of Government Employees; and nonprofit groups Alliance for Retired Americans, Center for Taxpayer Rights and Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks.

— By Janie Har Associated Press

General

Bob Jones rally comes up short in Class 7A playoff split with Tuscaloosa County

Bob Jones’ Cole Spainer brought home the go-ahead run in the opener and Tanner Hermesch came up just short of a walk-off hit in the nightcap as the second-ranked Patriots split a doubleheader with No. 10 Tuscaloosa County in Friday’s Class 7A semifinal series.

Bob Jones (37-11) won the opener 4-3 in 8 innings and the Wildcats earned a 10-8 victory in the nightcap in Northport.

“I’m super proud of those guys,” Bob Jones coach Jared Smith said. “We got the win in the first one and then to be down 4-0, then 10-4, and get back within one swing. Proud of our guys just to be in that position. We let it get out of hand and that’s on me.”

In the Game 2 showdown, the Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning as Brooks Mellown led off with a walk and Jashaun Moten brought him home on a single. Colson Mellown singled to score Ford Traweek and Drew Keller pushed the advantage to 4 runs with a 2-RBI single.

Bob Jones turned a 5-3 double-play to end the top half of the second and answered in the third inning. Mick Tyrell grabbed a 1-out double and Myles Hammonds sparked the rally on an RBI single to bring Tyrell home. Camden Martin brought in a pair of runs on a triple and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

Tuscaloosa County (31-13) went ahead on an RBI double from Brooks Mellown in the fifth and the Wildcats surged ahead to a 10-4 lead in the sixth inning.

“That was a great job of regrouping, especially with the rain and losing a tough one in Game 1,” Tuscaloosa County coach Nick Richardson said. “It shows a little bit of heart, coming back in Game 2 and taking care of business. That’s not easy to do.”

The first four baserunners in the sixth were issued walks, which scored the first run, and a passed ball brought in the second run. Keller pushed the advantage to 9-4 on a 2-run single and Camden Barnett scored the final run on a double.

Bob Jones turned a 6-4-3 double play to close out the top half of the sixth and trimmed the lead to 10-7 in the bottom half of the inning on a 2-RBI double from Spainer, who then scored on a wild pitch. The Patriots scored an additional run in the seventh but could not complete the rally as Hermesch’s would-be 3-run walk-off home run came up a few feet shy of clearing the fence and instead fell into the glove of Dillon Dubose.

The Patriots scored in each of the first two innings of the opener for an early 2-0 lead, but Tuscaloosa County responded with a run in the bottom half of the second. The Wildcats tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth on an RBI single by Colson Mellown, but Bob Jones went back ahead on an RBI single by Hammonds.

Tuscaloosa County tied the game in the seventh to force extra innings and Spainer scored the go-ahead run in the eighth on a single following a lead-off error that allowed Dillon Adkins to reach.

Star of the doubleheader: Spainer. The senior first baseman went 3-of-8 on the night and scored the go-ahead run in the opener on a single. He singled and doubled in the nightcap for a total of 4 RBIs on the night.

Stat sheet: Bob Jones – Hermesch got the complete-game win in the opener, allowing 3 runs off 7 hits while issuing 8 strikeouts and no walks. Hammonds was 4-of-8 in the doubleheader with 2 RBIs and 4 singles, followed by Martin, who went 4-of-7 with 2 singles, a double and a triple. Jack Shaw started the nightcap but gave way to Joshua Wilhide, who was tagged with the loss. Tuscaloosa County – Colson Mellown was 3-of-6 with 3 RBI singles in the doubleheader and Keller was 3-of-4 with a 2-run single in the nightcap. Brooks Mellown, who earned the Game 2 win on the mound, and Camden Barnett each recorded a single and an RBI double. Mellown allowed 7 runs off 5 hits and produced 7 strikeouts against 2 walks. Tate Pettus was handed the loss in the opener.

Coachspeak: “To be able to fight back and get back in that game, that shows a lot about this team. Hopefully, we bring that fighting edge again tomorrow and not get down. We’re really good at playing from behind, but hopefully we’ll get out ahead and close it out.” – Bob Jones’ Smith

“All the momentum is in our dugout, I would think. But Bob Jones is a great team, a well-coached team, and they’ll be ready to play. We will be too.” – Tuscaloosa County’s Richardson

What’s next: Bob Jones and Tuscaloosa County will play a decisive Game 3 scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday. The winner advances to face No. 3 Enterprise in the Class 7A title series next week.

General

Former Alabama high school QB, 5 other state prospects sign their first NFL contracts

Six 2025 draft picks who played at Alabama high schools and colleges signed their first NFL contracts on Friday, their new teams announced.

The players with Alabama football roots signing on Friday included:

Florida defensive back Trikweze Bridges signed a four-year, $4.302 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers as the 256th selection. Bridges played at Lanett High School.
Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt signed a four-year, $4.305 million contract with the Washington Commanders as the 245th selection. Croskey-Merritt played at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery before spending the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons at Alabama State.
Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith signed a four-year, $4.608 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers as the 158th selection.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard signed a four-year, $4.435 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts as the 189th selection. Leonard played at Fairhope High School.
Auburn outside linebacker Jalen McLeod signed a four-year, $4.431 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 194th selection.
Alabama defensive lineman Tim Smith signed a four-year, $4.434 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts as the 190th selection.

Six of the 21 NFL Draft picks who played at Alabama high schools and colleges have not signed their first NFL contracts. The unsigned prospects are:

Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos, who played at Alabama in 2023, the 61st selection by the Washington Commanders
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, the 31st selection by the Philadelphia Eagles
Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter, the 117th selection by the Los Angeles Rams
Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins, who played at Pike Road High School, the 36th selection by the Cleveland Browns
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, the 92nd selection by the Seattle Seahawks
Alabama tight end Robbie Ouzts, the 175th selection by the Seattle Seahawks

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

General

3 takeaways from Auburn baseball’s series sweep over South Carolina

The 2025 season has provided plenty of instances where Auburn baseball has had to battle for three games to win a series in Southeastern Conference play.

Then, there’s the recently concluded series against South Carolina.

Auburn finished off its second sweep of SEC play Friday night, beating the Gamecocks 11-3 in Game 3 after wins of 24-2 and 11-10, respectively, in the first two games. The wins improve Auburn’s overall record to 36-15 (16-11 SEC) and put the Tigers in a great spot to be a top eight seed in the NCAA tournament.

Outside of being pushed in Game 2, Auburn was dominant throughout the series, putting on an offensive clinic in all three games and making another statement near the end of the season.

Here are three takeaways from Auburn’s series sweep over South Carolina:

Red hot at the plate

Twenty-four runs would be an impressive number to tally across a series in the SEC. Auburn did that in Game 1 against South Carolina.

It marked the second time in three games the Gamecocks gave up 20 or more runs, and the third most runs Auburn had ever scored in an SEC game.

“Disciplined at-bats up and down,” head coach Butch Thompson said after Game 1. “We extended innings. We knew the left handers had to be big tonight, and [Ike] Irish, [Cooper] McMurray and [Lucas] Steele were. [Chris] Rembert and [Eric] Guevara were two right handers who gave us a lot tonight.”

The 24 runs Thursday night came on 20 hits, with five of them being home runs. Rembert and Guevara led the charge for Auburn’s offense, combining for 11 RBI and each hitting a home run. Irish, McMurray, Steele and Bub Terrell all contributed multiple RBI as well.

Auburn’s bats didn’t cool off after Thursday night either. The Tigers combined for 22 more runs across Friday’s doubleheader. Numerous Auburn players had strong weekends, but Guevara’s numbers were otherworldly.

He finished the series 12-for-15 at the plate, blasting two home runs with nine RBI, including driving in the game winning run on a squeeze in Game 2.

“I would just say being on time for the fastball,” Guevara said when asked what helped him at the plate. “Obviously the guys behind me and in front of me having great at-bats and getting me pitches to hit. It makes it easier, but just being on time for the fastball and reacting to the off-speed.”

The sweep ended with Auburn producing video game numbers at the plate. The Tigers had 51 hits as a team, batting a collective .495 over the three games with 11 home runs and 46 total runs scored.

Thompson described the performance as Auburn reaching its potential offensively, something he was optimistic about eventually happening. He credited some of the success to the hitters remaining consistent in evaluating pitches, even when Auburn had big leads.

“Sometimes, when you get up big, you just quit evaluating, and you don’t have the same at-bats. I think we had a chance to be consistent with that today, because we never stopped trying to have an at-bat last night,” Thompson said after the doubleheader on Friday. “It showed up, and I think that allowed us to play three complete games offensively.”

Off day for the ace

After the 24-2 demolition in Game 1, few predicted that Auburn would have to sweat out a one run walk off win in Game 2. South Carolina’s chances seemed especially slim in the first leg of Friday’s doubleheader with Auburn ace Sam Dutton starting on the mound.

Dutton came into the game with a 2.37 earned run average that ranked second in the SEC, but had arguably his worst performance of the season in Auburn’s 11-10 win. He pitched a season low four innings and gave up a season high five earned runs on eight hits.

South Carolina saw the ball well against Dutton and consistently made solid contact. He struggled later in the start to get batters out with two strikes, extending at bats and leading to more hits.

The Gamecocks continued to see the ball well after Dutton exited, tallying nine more hits and hitting three home runs. Carson Myers was the only one of Auburn’s four pitchers who took the mound in Game 2 that didn’t allow a run, pitching two innings and giving up two hits.

The win was attributed to closer Ryan Hetzler, who pitched the eighth and ninth innings, allowing two earned runs which caused the game to be tied going into the bottom of the ninth.

Took care of business

Sweeping a near bottom feeder in the SEC like South Carolina isn’t necessarily going to grab national headlines or be grounds to start a party, but Auburn almost couldn’t afford not to.

The Tigers came into the weekend projected by multiple bracketologists as near the cut line for a top eight seed, and any losses to a team like South Carolina could have hurt those chances. Wins over the Gamecocks might not go as far as beating other teams in the SEC, but it still only helps Auburn’s chances.

Now with 16 SEC wins, Auburn’s one win off what it took for SEC teams to gain a top eight seed last season. When asked about the things now at stake for the team, though, Thompson didn’t want to get ahead of himself.

“All that’s out of our hands still,” Thompson said when asked about postseason implications. “What is in our hands is being successful this week. Those guys are going to do a good job.”

Thompson shared that the coaching staff doesn’t talk about standings with the team this season, something he said was requested by the older players.

The point of that change, Thompson said, was to keep the team in the moment, and that’s arguably never been more important than now as Auburn now sits in a position to create an optimal path for itself in the postseason.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m