May 10, 2017 No. 7 Auburn vs. No. 18 Kentucky
(45-9, No. 2 Seed) vs. (36-16, No. 7 Seed)
Schedule
| Thu, May 11 | 4 p.m. | |
| Sat, Apr 29 | 6 p.m. | |
| Sun, Apr 30 | 12 p.m. | |
AUBURN, Ala. -- The second-seeded Auburn softball team will look to defend its crown when it takes on seventh-seeded Kentucky to open the annual SEC Tournament Thursday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. in Knoxville, Tenn. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
The win-or-go-home matchup can be viewed on the SEC Network with Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Holly Rowe describing the action. Brit Bowen and Brad Law will have the call from the radio booth locally on 95.9 FM and the official Auburn app.
The Tigers will look to accomplish something that has never been done before -- win a third-straight SEC Tournament. Auburn, Florida and LSU are the only three programs in the conference to repeat as tournament champions in league history.
The previous two times a defending champion has tried to win its third postseason tournament in a row, LSU was defeated in the championship game, while Florida was knocked out in the semifinals.
Head coach Clint Myers owns one of the best records in SEC Tournament history with a 7-1 mark in his three trips to the annual tournament.
The Tigers lead the nation in double plays with 44 and average 0.81 per game. The next closest team Campbell with 31. Auburn has turned multiple double plays in nine games, including a season-high three in contests with Missouri and Alabama State.
Auburn is the only team in the nation to rank in the top 25 in double plays, ERA and scoring. The Tigers are positioned in 15th with a 1.68 ERA and 24th in scoring at 5.69 runs per game.
Should Auburn prevail, it would advance to the SEC Tournament Semifinals. First pitch of that tilt is set for 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Player to Watch: Carlee Wallace
Junior catcher Carlee Wallace has been instrumental to the team's success in 2017. When Wallace notches at least one hit, the Tigers are 32-5 this campaign. The Alpine, Calif. native leads the team in hits (55), doubles (18), RBI (47) and slugging percentage (.641). Wallace has also made an impact on the defensive side of the ball, catching six runners trying to steal and picking off another.
SEC Award Wrap-Up
Four players were honored by the league office at the conclusion of the 2017 regular season, tying a program-best with the 2005 and 2015 teams. Kasey Cooper earned the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the year, Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive. Kaylee Carlson and Carlee Wallace were tabbed First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive. Alyssa Rivera was selected Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team.
Career Versus the Wildcats
The Tigers have seen loads of success against Kentucky since 2014. In that span, Auburn is 8-1 in the series and has outscored the opposition 50-27.
Kasey Cooper and Haley Fagan tout .400 averages with a combined 10 RBI and four extra-base hits. Jenna Abbott and Courtney Shea have added four and two RBI, respectively. Kaylee Carlson and Makayla Martin are 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA and five strikeouts.
An Auburn Win Would...
A win by Auburn would put the Tigers in the SEC Tournament Semifinals for the ninth time in program history and the third consecutive season. The Tigers would also pick up their seventh straight win against the Wildcats.
Last 10
In the last 10 games, Auburn has outscored the opposition 43-15, including three shutouts. The Tigers have notched 17 extra-base hits, including 10 doubles and seven homers. Kasey Cooper, Kendall Veach and Carlee Wallace lead the charge with three apiece.
In the circle, Kaylee Carlson has tossed four wins with a 0.88 ERA and five complete games, including two shutouts. Makayla Martin has added a 1.83 ERA with two wins.
Three-Plus
As a team, the Tigers have benefited greatly from scoring three or more runs in a game this season. So far, Auburn is 41-2 when eclipsing the three-run plateau, including a perfect 19-0 when scoring seven-plus runs.