April 23, 2018
AUBURN (29-12, 9-9 SEC) vs. SAMFORD (24-17, 10-5 SOCON)
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AUBURN, Ala. -- No. 19 Auburn (29-12, 9-9 SEC) hosts Samford (24-17, 10-5 SoCon) in one of its final two midweek games at Plainsman Park Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.
Tuesday's game will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and can be found online at WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. The game will also broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network. You can listen on the radio on WTGZ-FM (93.9), online at AuburnTigers.com, or on a mobile device via the TuneIn app.
Probable Starters
- Tuesday -- Fr. LHP Jack Owen (1-2, 8.83) vs. So. LHP Hamp Skinner (4-1, 4.41)
QUICK HITTERS
- Auburn went 4-0 last week and outscored its opponents 56-12. The 56 runs scored over four games are the most since scoring 60 runs during a four-game stretch in 2002.
- The Tigers swept Alabama in Tuscaloosa for the first time since 1976 by outscoring the Crimson Tide 44-10 in the series.
- The Tigers' 44 runs scored were the most all-time in a three-game series vs. Alabama and the most in a three-game SEC series since also scoring 44 runs at Georgia in 1994.
- Steven Williams was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after going 6-for-10 with seven runs, five walks, one home run and eight RBI against Alabama.
- The Tigers have won five straight games and are hitting .335 with 63 runs scored on 62 hits. The pitching staff has also turned in a 3.20 ERA during the span.
- Auburn is 20-3 in non-conference games, including 17-1 at Plainsman Park. The team is also 6-0 in midweek games on The Plains this season.
- Auburn is 12-0 when scoring in the first inning this season, 22-0 when scoring five or more runs and 22-0 when out-hitting an opponent.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
- Samford enters the week with a 24-17 overall record and 10-5 mark in SoCon play. The Bulldogs went on a 13-game win streak, including a 12-3 win against Auburn in Birmingham two weeks ago, before getting swept at UNC Greensboro last weekend.
- Offensively, Samford is hitting .268 as a team and is led by freshman Brooks Carlson, who has turned in a .324 average with 17 extra-base hits. From a power standpoint, Carlson and Austin Edens lead the way with six home runs apiece, while Anthony Mulrine has driven in a team-high 32 runs.
- On the mound, the Bulldogs boast a 3.42 staff ERA and will send sophomore left-hander Hamp Skinner to the bump. Skinner is 4-1 with a 4.41 ERA and has struck out 40 batters in 34.2 innings pitched.
SERIES HISTORY vs. SAMFORD
- Auburn holds a 72-24-1 all-time record in the series against Samford that dates back to 1909. The Tigers are 43-13-1 in games played in Plainsman Park.
- The two teams met two weeks ago in Birmingham, and Samford defeated Auburn, 12-3.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Former Auburn catcher Casey Dunn is in his 14th season as Samford's head coach, and Hunter Morris, who is Auburn's season-single home run record holder, is in his first year on staff under Dunn as a volunteer assistant.
FYI
- Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
- Plainsman Patio, a new gameday hospitality service inside the ballpark, is open and available on the concourse level down the right-field line. Stop by and see a hospitality service member for more information.
- Fans are permitted to bring empty plastic bottles in for free water refills.
- A cell phone charging station is available to fans near the front gate adjacent to the promotions booth.
- Grass areas around the park and adjacent parking lots are open for tailgating.