AUBURN, Ala. – Coming off its first College World Series appearance in 22 years, No. 8 Auburn baseball opens the 2020 season with a four-game series against Illinois-Chicago Friday through Sunday at Plainsman Park.
First pitch on Opening Day is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. CT. The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday with the second game starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. The series finale is slated for Sunday at 11 a.m.
The weekend's action can be heard locally on WTGZ-FM (93.9), online at AuburnTigers.com or on a mobile device via the Auburn Athletics app. Friday's contest and the first game of Saturday's doubleheader will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Jr. RHP Tanner Burns (4-4, 2.82) vs. Sr. RHP Jacob Key (7-8, 3.75)
Saturday (Game 1) – Jr. LHP Jack Owen (4-2, 2.75) vs. Gr. RHP Nick Oliff (1-0, 3.49)
Saturday (Game 2) – So. RHP Richard Fitts (5-3, 5.31) vs. So LHP Mark McCabe (0-0, 1.33)
Sunday – R-Jr. LHP Bailey Horn (4-2, 5.97) vs. R-Jr. RHP Bobby Nicholson (DNP)
QUICK HITTERS
Friday night marks the start of the 124th season of Auburn baseball, including the 71st season at Plainsman Park.
Auburn is 88-33-2 all-time in season openers and has won nine straight dating back to 2011.
The Tigers are coming off a trip to the 2019 College World Series and return seven everyday starters and 10 pitchers from last year's team.
Head coach Butch Thompson begins his fifth season at the helm of the program in 2020, having led the team to back-to-back super regionals for the first time in program history and three straight regionals for the first time since 2001-03.
Preseason All-American Tanner Burns will draw his first Opening Day start Friday. Burns is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA and has struck out 13 batters while issuing one walk in a pair of season debuts.
SCOUTING THE FLAMES
UIC head coach Mike Dee enters his 22nd season at the helm of the program in 2020. He has led the Flames to a 646-501-2 record in his career.
The Flames are coming off a 2019 season in which they posted a 29-23 record and earned the No. 4 seed in the Louisville Regional after sweeping the Horizon League Tournament. The regional berth was the team's second in the last three seasons.
UIC returns seven position players who started 34 or more games and six pitchers who logged 25 or more innings in 2019. The team's veteran roster consists of 22 upperclassmen and three additional redshirt sophomores.
Redshirt junior catcher Joshua Figueroa is the Flames' leading returning hitter after hitting .294 with 10 doubles, three home runs and 34 RBI. Senior right-hander Jacob Key logged 16 starts and 105.2 innings in 2019 and is the Flames Opening Day starter.
SERIES HISTORY
This weekend marks the first ever meeting between the Tigers and Flames.
FYI
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch. The first 650 fans will go home with a College World Series replica ring presented by MAX Credit Union (one ring per fan).
Fans attending the Auburn baseball game 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 be closed at 5:30 p.m. Friday to prepare for the gymnastics meet that night.
The Stadium Deck is also available for game viewing.
There are two mobile device charging stations – one located next to the promotions booth on the main concourse and another in the Plainsman Patio presented by Kia of Auburn.
New for 2020, alcohol may be purchased in the Tiger Terrace. Any fan with a purchased game ticket may enter without a pass or additional ticket and purchase either beer or wine with proof of ID. Alcohol sales end after the top of the seventh. No alcohol may leave the Tiger Terrace, and outside food or drink is no longer permissible.
Grass areas around the park and adjacent parking lots are open for tailgating.
TICKETS
Mini plan and single game ticket options for the 2020 season are available. Fans can reach the Auburn ticket office by phone at 855-282-2010 or by emailing tickets@auburn.edu. To order tickets online, click here.
Saturday's ticket is valid for both games of the doubleheader.