A Freshman Trio Makes History
Auburn's 2026 campaign will be remembered for the emergence of three first‑year players who not only earned spots on D1Baseball's Freshman All‑America team but also helped the Tigers advance to the NCAA Super Regional. Their contributions spanned both offense and pitching, underscoring the depth of talent brought in by head coach Butch Thompson.
Ethin Bingaman led the group with first‑team honors, posting a .330 batting average, 60 runs scored, 71 hits, 15 home runs and 50 RBI. His consistency at the plate was highlighted by a four‑hit, seven‑RBI performance against Oklahoma on April 26, where he also launched three home runs.
Mason McCraine, a versatile outfielder, secured second‑team recognition after batting .320 and delivering 57 hits in 178 at‑bats across 51 games. He topped the squad with three triples and added eight home runs while driving in 42 runs. A standout moment came in a 4‑hit, six‑RBI effort against Nebraska on Feb. 28.
Pitching Precision from Cormier
LJ Cormier anchored the bullpen with a 2‑0 record, a 2.50 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 21 appearances. His season‑high eight‑strikeout outing in the Regional win over Milwaukee on May 31 illustrated his ability to dominate high‑pressure situations.
The trio's individual accolades extended beyond D1Baseball, as Bingaman also collected All‑America nods from Baseball America, Perfect Game and NCBWA. McCraine earned a spot on the Perfect Game All‑America team, while Cormier became the 25th Auburn Tiger to be named an All‑American and the 10th under Coach Thompson.
Their performances were instrumental in a season that saw Auburn clinch a Super Regional berth, a milestone that reflects both the coaching staff's development pipeline and the promising future of the program.
Looking Ahead
With a core of freshmen who have already proven they can compete at the national level, Auburn enters the next season as a contender for another deep postseason run. Fans can expect to see how these players build on their rookie statistics and how the coaching staff integrates them into a lineup that aims to sustain this momentum.