It’s a great time to be an Auburn Tiger. After a thrilling display of grit, resilience, and elite-level softball, the Auburn Tigers emerged victorious as the 2025 NCAA Auburn Regional Champions. With their regional title secured on their home turf at Jane B. Moore Field, the Tigers punched their ticket to the Super Regionals and sent a strong message to the rest of the field: this team is not just participating—they’re coming for it all.
Led by head coach Mickey Dean in what may be his most inspired coaching campaign yet, Auburn powered through their regional bracket with a combination of dominant pitching, clutch hitting, and an unmistakable chemistry that’s been building all season long. For a program with lofty expectations and a passionate fan base behind it, the Auburn Regional was a defining weekend—one that highlighted the character of this team and its unyielding desire to compete.
A Regional to Remember
The 2025 Auburn Regional featured a competitive field, including the Arizona Wildcats, the UCF Knights, and Southern Illinois. It was a weekend stacked with dangerous lineups and capable pitching staffs, but Auburn’s balanced attack ultimately proved too much to handle.
Auburn opened the regional with a statement win over Southern Illinois, flexing both their pitching depth and offensive firepower in a 7–1 victory. From the opening pitch, it was clear the Tigers had come to play. Sophomore ace Anna Brinyark was in complete command in the circle, tossing six innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts. Meanwhile, veteran slugger Bri Ellis did what she does best—drive in runs—crushing a two-run homer in the third inning to give Auburn an early cushion.
The next matchup brought an even stiffer test: perennial powerhouse Arizona. But the Tigers were unfazed. Backed by a raucous home crowd and the steady leadership of upperclassmen like Rose Roach and Aspen Godwin, Auburn eked out a tense 4–3 win, thanks in large part to clutch hitting in the late innings and an electric closing performance from freshman phenom Lexie Fagan, who recorded the final four outs to seal the victory.
Auburn’s Dynamic Duo in the Circle
One of the primary reasons Auburn advanced was the dominance of their pitching staff, headlined by Brinyark and Fagan. The duo provided a lethal one-two punch that frustrated hitters and anchored the team all weekend.
Brinyark, who earned Regional MVP honors, was the workhorse. Across three appearances, she logged 17 innings with just two earned runs allowed and struck out 21 batters. Her pinpoint control, calm demeanor, and ability to mix speeds effectively gave opposing lineups fits.
Fagan, the flame-throwing freshman, brought the heat in relief and showcased why she’s considered one of the best young arms in college softball. With runners on and tension thick, Fagan’s riseball proved nearly unhittable, and her poise under pressure was nothing short of remarkable for a first-year player on such a big stage.
Together, they were an unbeatable tandem. Their combined ERA for the regional? A stingy 0.87.
Offensive Firepower
While Auburn’s pitching was elite, the Tigers’ offense was just as critical in their regional conquest. Over three games, Auburn scored 18 runs and racked up 25 hits, with contributions up and down the lineup.
Ellis, a senior who’s been a cornerstone of the program, came through with two home runs and five RBIs over the weekend. Her leadership and ability to perform in clutch moments have been a hallmark of her Auburn career, and she delivered once again when it mattered most.
Freshman sensation Emmah Rolfe was another standout, going 5-for-9 at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs. Her plate discipline and ability to barrel up tough pitches gave Auburn a consistent presence in the middle of the lineup.
Also worth highlighting was shortstop Rose Roach, who played spectacular defense and provided energy on the basepaths. Her glove saved multiple runs in the regional final against Arizona, and her leadoff double in the sixth inning set up the go-ahead run that ultimately pushed Auburn ahead for good.
Regional Final Thriller
With a rematch against Arizona in the final, Auburn found themselves in a high-stakes showdown for the regional crown. The Wildcats, staving off elimination earlier in the day, came in hungry and aggressive. But Auburn stayed composed, executing the fundamentals and sticking to their game plan.
After falling behind 2–0 in the third inning, Auburn responded in the bottom of the fourth. A two-out rally sparked by singles from Godwin and junior speedster Mya Stevenson set the table for Ellis, who lined a clutch double into the right-center gap to tie the game.
In the sixth, Roach doubled, Rolfe singled her to third, and then Ellis drew a walk to load the bases. That’s when catcher Carlee Reich stepped in and lifted a sacrifice fly to deep left field—scoring Roach and putting Auburn ahead 3–2.
Fagan came on in the seventh and shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning, capped by a strikeout that brought the crowd to its feet.
Coach Mickey Dean’s Masterclass
Much of the credit for Auburn’s resurgence in 2025 belongs to head coach Mickey Dean. After facing criticism in prior seasons, Dean has stayed the course, recruited well, and built a team that reflects his identity—tough, composed, and fundamentally sound.
“This group is special,” Dean said after the final out. “They believe in each other, they trust the process, and they play for the name across their chest. That’s what Auburn softball is all about.”
Dean’s decision-making throughout the regional was impeccable. His management of the pitching staff, aggressive baserunning calls, and timely pinch-hits all contributed to Auburn’s success. He’s pressed the right buttons all season, and the result is a team that believes it can beat anyone, anywhere.
Looking Ahead: Super Regional Bound
With the regional title in hand, Auburn advances to the NCAA Super Regionals where they’ll face a tough opponent—most likely the #6 national seed LSU Tigers, who also advanced from their regional in dominant fashion.
The matchup promises to be a battle of SEC titans, with elite pitching on both sides and powerful lineups loaded with stars. Auburn will need to bring its best game, but based on their performance in the regional, they’re more than ready.
The keys to advancing to Oklahoma City will be continued excellence from Brinyark and Fagan in the circle, timely hitting from the heart of the order, and a defense that plays clean and minimizes mistakes. Auburn has shown all season they can win in multiple ways—whether by slugfest or pitcher’s duel—and that versatility is crucial in postseason play.
Fan Support and the Auburn Spirit
Auburn’s home-field advantage throughout the regional cannot be overstated. Jane B. Moore Field was packed all weekend with Tiger faithful, providing an electric atmosphere that lifted the team during key moments. Chants of “War Eagle!” echoed after every strikeout, and players often pointed to the crowd after big plays in appreciation.
“That crowd gave us energy,” said Fagan. “I’ve never played in front of fans like that before. It felt like they were on the field with us.”
Indeed, Auburn softball’s culture of support and pride was on full display, and it helped turn the regional into a fortress.
The Legacy in Motion
Winning the Auburn Regional is more than just advancing in the NCAA Tournament—it’s a statement that Auburn softball is back among the nation’s elite. For a program that has tasted the Women’s College World Series before and continues to strive for the summit, this regional title is another key step in the journey.
Veterans like Ellis and Roach have cemented their legacies as leaders and champions, while younger stars like Fagan, Rolfe, and Brinyark signal a bright future ahead.
As the Tigers prepare for their Super Regional showdown, one thing is clear: this is a team on a mission. They’ve faced adversity, overcome doubters, and played their best when the lights were brightest. Whether they’re facing an SEC rival or a national contender, Auburn isn’t backing down.
With a team that bleeds orange and blue, a coaching staff clicking on all cylinders, and fans that believe in the dream, Auburn has everything it needs to take the next step.
