AUBURN, Ala. – After a challenging test in Clearwater, Fla., to open the 2020 slate, Auburn softball (3-2) returns to Jane B. Moore Field to open its home schedule against Kennesaw State on Thursday before hosting the 2020 Plainsman Invitational over the weekend.
The Tigers home tilt begins on Thursday against Kennesaw State (4-0) at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network +.
Auburn then welcomes Alabama State and UNCW for the first of two home tournaments. The Tigers will face UNCW on Friday at 2:30 p.m. CT before taking on Alabama State at 5 p.m. CT to open the Plainsman Invitational.
Saturday features another doubleheader slate with Auburn taking on the Hornets at 2:30 p.m. CT before facing UNCW at 5 p.m. CT. Saturday's contest against the Seahawks will air on the SEC Network +.
The Tigers round out the weekend on Sunday, taking on UNCW for the third time, with an 11 a.m. CT contest.
"We're excited," head coach Mickey Dean said. "It looks like the weather will clear up for the weekend, which is nice. I know the kids are excited to play at home. Our newcomers will get their first spring experience here on the Plains. We're looking forward to that."
PROMOTIONS
Over opening weekend at Jane B. Moore Field, fans can pick up their 2020 schedule posters as well as schedule magnets while supplies lasts.
PARKING INFORMATION
Fans attending softball Friday should park on Biggio Drive by the intramural fields and the McWhorter Center lot. The gravel lot at Jane B. Moore Field is for reserved for softball ticketholders and will be staffed.
LEADING OFF
- The Tigers are looking for its 23rd straight home-opening victory. Auburn has not lost a home opener in the program's history.
- Junior Makenna Dowell is one of just 19 SEC student-athletes to not strikeout over the first weekend of the 2020 season. Dowell is tied for eighth in the conference with a .500 record.
- Nine of Auburn's 13 newcomers made their debut over the 2020 NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. Four Tigers also earned their first starts over opening weekend.
- Senior Justus Perry slugged her 11th home run of her career, an inside the park round-tripper against Liberty (Feb. 9). She's the first Tiger to hit an inside the park home run since Brittany Maresette vs. Georgia on March 30, 2019.
- Auburn enters 2020 season with one of its toughest schedules to date with 36 contents against teams that earned NCAA Tournament bids a season ago. The Tigers have nine contents against 2019 Women's College World Series participants, including reigning national champion UCLA later this month.
- The Tigers look to rebuild this season after the loss of the 2019 senior class that set an NPF record when all five were selected in 2019 draft. Auburn has 13 newcomers on the 2020 squad, included transfers Samantha Yarbrough (South Alabama), Jadia Jones (Chipola College) and Tyler King (ECU).
- Two senior Tigers earn spots on Softball America's Top 100 Collegiate Players as outfielder Alyssa Rivera (No. 81) and infielder Tannon Snow (No. 58) each earned a spot on the coveted list.
- Head Coach Mickey Dean enters his third season at the helm of the Tigers. Dean holds an 83-40 (.675) record in his two seasons at Auburn and has led the Tigers to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances.
ON DECK
Auburn returns to the road next weekend for a gauntlet of games at the prestigious Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. The Tigers kick off the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 20 against No. 23 Arizona State. Auburn will also face No. 3 UCLA, No. 4 Arizona, No. 21 Northwestern and California while in Palm Springs.