Feb. 15, 2017 AUBURN, Ala. - Fresh off a weekend that produced three victories, including one over the top-ranked team in the nation, the No. 2 Auburn softball team is set to host its first game of the season against SIUE Thursday at 6 p.m. at Jane B. Moore Field. The game will be available on SEC Network+.
The Tigers will then take part in the annual Plainsman Invitational, facing off with Creighton (Feb. 17 and Feb. 18), SIUE (Feb. 17), Evansville (Feb. 18) and Mercer (Feb. 19).
As with all home games this season, the contest against SIUE and the Plainsman Invitational will feature "Strike Out Hunger" Food Drive in order to help end child hunger in Alabama. The drive will be in support of the community and the Food Bank of East Alabama.
Each person who brings a nonperishable food donation to any Auburn Softball home game will receive a $1 beverage coupon to use at the concession stands at Jane B. Moore Field.
Last weekend, Kaylee Carlson and Makayla Martin dominated in the circle. The two right-handers combined for 31.0 IP, 11 K and a 1.13 ERA. Martin also tossed a complete-game shutout in a 3-0 triumph over BYU.
Nine different players collected hits, including seven with multiple base knocks. KK Crocker, Victoria Draper, Courtney Shea, Kendall Veach and Carlee Wallace each tout the team lead with three hits, while Kasey Cooper and Morgan Podany have tallied two hits.
Following the six-game week, Auburn will then host North Dakota (Feb. 23) before welcoming four teams for the Tiger Invitational, Feb. 24-26.
An Auburn Win Would...
A win by Auburn would give the Tigers their third-consecutive victory of the season and push Auburn to its first home win of the season.
Auburn Home Openers
The Tigers are 20-0 in their home openers, including 18-0 in the first home game each season at Jane B. Moore Field. In those such occassions, the Auburn offense has totaled 193 runs and allowed just 20.
Top Attendance
The Tigers have posted their 10 highest-attended games just last season, with four of them reaching over 2,000 fans. The most-attended February game in Auburn history with Feb. 27 last year against St. John's.
Player to Watch: Carlee Wallace
Junior catcher Carlee Wallace was named to the Puerto Vallarta Challenge All-Tournament Team after hitting .273 with three hits, including a double, and two RBI against four teams who made the NCAA Tournament last season. Wallace also tied for the team best after crossing the plate twice throughout the weekend.
Inside the Series: SIUE
The Tigers and Cougars have faced each other just twice in series history. Auburn has prevailed in both meetings, outscoring SIUE 15-5. In the last matchup, the Tigers took an 8-5 decision on Feb. 28, 2015. Emily Carosone launched a three-run shot to win the game for Auburn.
Inside the Series: Creighton
Auburn and Creighton have gone to battle one time at a neutral site in both program's histories. The Tigers emerged victorious by a score of 6-2 on March 10, 2000. The game was played in Tampa, Fla. as part of a non-conference tournament.
Inside the Series: Evansville
Auburn has faced Evansville in seven occasions all-time, with the Tigers holding a strong 7-0 advantage in the series. Auburn has outscored the Purple Aces 50-8 in those meetings - all taking place at Jane B. Moore Field. The Tigers took the last decision by a score of 12-0 on Feb. 7, 2015.
Inside the Series: Mercer
The Tigers and Bears have met 21 times in series history. Auburn boasts a 17-4 margin all-time and has won the last three duels. The Tigers have fallen just three times to the Bears in 15 tilts at home and have won two of those contests by run-rule.
On this Date
On Feb. 16, 2007, Myesha Finney hit her second career home run in a pinch-hitting role to guide the Tigers to a 6-3 come-from-behind victory over Tennessee Tech. Anna Thompson and Holly Currie split the seven innings in the circle and struck out 12 in the win.