The Auburn baseball team’s improbable hopes of making the NCAA Tournament went unfulfilled Monday, as the Tigers did not impress the selection committee enough to make the field of 64.

The Tigers (31-25, 11-19) failed to make the SEC Tournament field of eight for the sixth consecutive season. That, along with a 4-13 finish to their conference schedule, was probably too much to overcome despite a surprisingly strong RPI.

All eight teams that made the conference tournament were selected for college baseball’s version of the Big Dance.

Auburn finished with an RPI as high as 31 according to a number of reputable Web sites, which made it the best team, per RPI, to be left from the field.

The Tigers’ had the eighth toughest strength of schedule in the nation.

The SEC was ranked the toughest conference in the nation, but the Tigers’ rough finish was likely too much to overlook for the tournament selection committee.

Baylor (29-24, 10-16 Big 12) was considered a surprise selection Monday, but even the Bears carried a better RPI (31, per NCAA) and strength of schedule (seventh).

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