Ike Irish, the outstanding catcher for Auburn (21-22, 3-18), is scheduled to return to the starting lineup this weekend against Ole Miss, according to head coach Butch Thompson during a news conference on Thursday. This may be a little early than anticipated.
Following his accident, Thompson stated that Irish might miss up to three weeks of work. After ten straight SEC losses, Auburn’s chances of making the postseason were quite poor, so there was no need to rush him back.
Irish, though, might only have to miss one weekend series; last weekend, Auburn lost two out of three to LSU in Baton Rouge.
Thompson is unsure about the exact role Irish will be able to play. It will probably be in the role of designated hitter. Due to students’ final examinations, Auburn did not play a midweek game this week. However, on Tuesday, the team hosted a five-inning intrasquad scrimmage.
Irish participated in the scrimmage and took at-bats, but it’s more important to assess how well he can recover from his ankle injury.
Without Irish in the lineup, Auburn’s squad hit.186 versus LSU, amassing 18 hits in three games.
Irish leads the team in runs batted in, home runs, and batting average thus far this season.
Auburn has been using Irish as a designated hitter or in different defensive positions even when he was healthy, giving rookie catcher Cale Stricklin more time behind the plate. Since April began, Stricklin has made eight starts.
Outfielder Bobby Peirce, who is recuperating from a wrist ailment, might potentially return to Irish. However, Peirce’s comeback seems less certain.
Peirce can hit, but he’s not yet ready to play defense, according to Thompson. This week during the team’s scrimmage, Peirce also had at-bats.
Plainsman Park will host Auburn’s three-game series versus Ole Miss starting on Friday at 6 p.m.
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