March 1, 2018
2018 Wilson/DeMARINI Classic
AUBURN, Ala. - No. 12 Auburn softball returns home to Jane B. Moore Field this weekend as host of the Wilson/DeMarini Classic. The Tigers open the weekend Friday at 3:00 p.m. with UNCW followed by a matchup with Western Carolina at 5:30 p.m.
Auburn will play Western Carolina at 3 p.m. Saturday followed by a contest with Western Illinois at 5:30 p.m. The Tigers will conclude weekend play on Sunday against Western Illinois (11:00 a.m.) and UNC-Wilmington (1:30 p.m.), all times CT.
The Tigers are coming in at 17-2, outscoring opponents 125-23. Auburn is coming off a 4-2 road trip in California including a 3-2 mark at the Mary Nutter Classic. The Tigers collected their 11th and 12th shutouts of the year on the road swing.
Three players currently boast batting clips of .375 or better with senior Victoria Draper leading the way at .479, while freshman Taylon Snow (.442) and senior Courtney Shea (.386) are just behind.
Auburn and Western Illinois have met three times with the Tigers holding a 3-0 advantage. The Tigers have played Western Carolina just once previously in a 7-2 victory on Feb. 20, 2011. This will be the first meeting between Auburn and UNCW.
Friday and Sunday's games will be broadcasted live on SEC Network .
An Auburn Win - A win by Auburn would give the Tigers a 13-0 start at home for the first since the 2015 season.
Quick Hitters:
- Auburn began the season 15-0 for just the third time tying the 2011 and 2012 seasons for the best start in school history.
- With four wins in California, head coach Mickey Dean improved his career win/loss total to 495-174.
- Auburn has 12 shutouts on the season, which is already tied for the 10th most in a single season in school history. The most is 24 set in 2004.
- Victoria Draper is already sitting at 20 stolen bases this season, which currently leads the nation and is the third-most in a single season in program history.