Bryson Ware reflects on ups and downs at Auburn

Bryson Ware‘s college baseball career wrapped up this past weekend in a disappointing fashion as Auburn fell on its home field at the Auburn Regional. The Tigers were upset by Penn in the first round before Southern Miss beat them in the loser’s bracket.

It was an ending that likely felt premature for the team but Ware said he felt honored to be able to suit up at Plainsman Park one last weekend.

“Just being able to play in a regional here for the second year in a row and play in front of these fans is really, really cool,” Ware said after the loss to Golden Eagles. “It’s something I’ll hang my hat on for years to come and just being a part of this team. We battled our butts off. We don’t really have anything to show for it the past two games. But ever since after A&M, against Mississippi State and on, we’ve competed our butts off at 12-3 in the second half of SEC play. It’s a pretty big deal. I’m really happy that I was a part of that and could contribute as much as I could. It’s a really cool memory that I’ll cherish for a really, really long time.”

Ware did more than just contribute to that great stretch of play following the Texas A&M and Alabama series. He was one of the best players on the team this season.

The senior third baseman led the team with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 66 runs and a whopping 1.1169 OPS. He had a batting average of .350 and an on-base percentage of .438.

Ware played his first season at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss., before transferring to Auburn. He had decent numbers as a sophomore before struggling last year. It all culminated in a selection to the All-SEC second team this season.

“It’s been a crazy ride coming from junior college in South Mississippi, just 30 minutes away from Hattiesburg where Southern Miss is,” Ware said. “It’s pretty crazy that they were the last college team that I’ll probably play. It’s been a lot of ups and downs. Thankful enough to get an offer here and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made to come to Auburn. I’ve had some rough patches here. But at the end of the day, the Lord’s got a plan for me and he showed that this year and I couldn’t be more thankful that I came here.”

Bryson Ware ‘couldn’t be more happy’ that he played for Auburn

Bryson Ware is a native of Mississippi but is happy that he decided to play for head coach Butch Thompson and the Tigers.

“I couldn’t be more happy that I came to Auburn,” Ware said. “The Lord had me coming here and it’s a testament to his plan for me. It’s just really cool to be able to say that I’ll wear this Auburn jersey. I remember watching Auburn against Mississippi State in the World Series a few years ago. Back then, I was at Mississippi State fan and little did I know I’d be here the next few years. It’s been a wild ride but it’s been a really cool journey too.”