AUBURN, Ala. - Coming off a record-setting season that saw Auburn advance to its second super regional in program history, head coach Butch Thompson and the 15th-ranked Tigers begin the 2019 season with a three-game series against Georgia Southern.
Opening Day at Plainsman Park is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT. First pitch for game two is slated for Saturday at 2 p.m., and the series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.
All three games can be heard locally on WTGZ-FM (93.9), online at AuburnTigers.com, or on a mobile device via the Auburn Athletics app. Friday and Saturday's contest will also be available on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday -- Jr. RHP Davis Daniel (3-4, 4.86) vs. Jr. RHP Seth Shuman (8-5, 4.41)
Saturday -- So. RHP Tanner Burns (7-4, 3.01) vs. Fr. LHP Braden Hays (HS)
Sunday -- R-Jr. LHP Kyle Gray (7-1, 2.73; Blinn College) vs. Sr. RHP Daniel Collins (NAIA)
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn is 54-16 (.771) on Opening Day since 1949 and has won eight straight season openers.
Head coach Butch Thompson begins his fourth season at the helm of the program. He became the fourth coach in program history to record 100 wins in his first three seasons in 2018.
The Tigers 2019 roster consists of 19 newcomers and 17 returning players, including All-SEC shortstop Will Holland, junior pitcher Davis Daniel and a quartet of Freshman All-Americans in Tanner Burns, Cody Greenhill, Edouard Julien and Steven Williams.
Daniel, who forwent the 2018 MLB Draft to return to Auburn for his junior season, makes his first Opening Day start Friday night. In his last six relief appearances and 18.1 innings pitched in 2018, Daniel posted a 2.45 ERA and struck out 25 batters.
Auburn returns 41 home runs among its core trio of Julien (17), Holland (12) and Williams (12). The 41 home runs among the three players are the most among any returning trio in the SEC.
Dating back to the 2017 season, the Tigers are 40-12 in the non-conference and 21-4 against non-conference foes on the weekend.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Georgia Southern head coach Rodney Hennon enters his 20th season at the helm for the Eagles and has posted a record of 674-463 (.593).
The Eagles return 25 players from a 2018 squad that went 30-26 overall and 18-11 in Sun Belt play.
The top six hitters return for Georgia Southern with a combined .261 average, 325 hits, and 149 RBI among them.
Georgia Southern brings back 20 wins and 326.0 innings from last year's pitching staff that ranked sixth in the Sun Belt Conference in ERA (4.71).
Junior Mason McWhorter looks to build on his sophomore season after leading the Eagles in several offensive categories including runs (42), hits (58), doubles (18), home runs (11), RBI (42), and total bases (111).
Opening Day starter Seth Shuman was named to the Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team after winning eight games on the mound in each of the last two seasons.
SERIES HISTORY
This weekend marks the first series between Auburn and Georgia Southern. The two teams previously met in the 2000 NCAA Tournament and in a 2009 midweek contest with Auburn emerging victorious on both occasions.
FYI
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Fans attending baseball are advised to park in the Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum lot, the Stadium Parking Deck off Heisman Drive, or the Athletics Complex Parking Deck. Fans should note that the Auburn Arena lot will close at 5 p.m. Friday for gymnastics and 1 p.m. Sunday for women's basketball.
On Saturday, fans wishing to park in the Stadium Parking Deck should enter via Heisman Drive. The entrance to the deck from Duncan Drive will be closed until 3 p.m.
The Stadium Parking Deck is also available for game viewing. If there is a conflict with a men's basketball game, fans can park on the bottom two levels of the deck.
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.