AUBURN, Ala. – Making a return trip after the Tigers visited Orlando last season, No. 8 Auburn (5-0) and UCF (4-1) are set for a three-game series at Plainsman Park this weekend. Friday's series opener is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. Saturday and Sunday's contests will begin at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
This 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. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Jr. RHP Tanner Burns (1-0, 5.40) vs. R-So. LHP Colton Gordon (1-0, 1.42)
Saturday – Jr. LHP Jack Owen (1-0, 1.80) vs. R-Jr. RHP Trevor Holloway (1-0, 0.00)
Sunday – R-Jr. LHP Bailey Horn (1-0, 0.00) vs. TBD
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn enters the weekend 5-0 and has outscored its opponents 61-8.
The 53-run margin of victory is the largest through five games since 1951.
The Tigers have scored 61 runs and struck out 62 batters in the first five games. Those numbers are the most through five games since 2000 and 1997, respectively.
Ryan Bliss and Rankin Woley are tied for the league lead in hits. Woley also leads the league in doubles, while Bliss is tied for the lead in RBI.
Bliss is one of two players in the country to rank in the top 10 in hits, runs, doubles and RBI.
Auburn starting pitchers are 5-0 with a 2.05 ERA through five games. They have also struck out 35 batters and issued 10 walks in 22.0 innings.
The Auburn pitching staff has struck out 10 or more batters in five straight games. The team hasn't accomplished the feat in six straight games since doing it seven times to open the 1997 season.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
UCF enters the weekend with a 4-1 record after sweeping Siena in a four-game series to start the season and dropping its midweek contest against Stetson.
Offensively, the Knights are hitting .258 with 15 extra-base hits, including five home runs by different players. Nick Romano and Ben McCabe lead the way with .400 batting averages, while Jordan Rathbone leads the team from a power and run production standpoint with five RBI.
On the mound, UCF has turned in a 2.40 ERA through five games. The Knights have struck out 66 batters in 45.0 innings of work, including 58 batters in four games against Siena. Friday night starter Colton Gordon struck out 10 batters in 6.1 innings in the season opener.
SERIES HISTORY
This weekend marks the sixth all-time meeting between the Tigers and Knights, including the fourth weekend series.
Auburn holds a 7-2 record against UCF and took two of three games against the Knights in Orlando last year.
FYI
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Fans attending the Auburn baseball games Friday and Sunday are advised to park in the Arena Lot, the Stadium Parking Deck off Heisman Drive, the Athletics Complex Parking Deck and the parking lots inside AG Heritage Park. The Coliseum Lot will be available for parking Sunday.
The Arena Lot and top two levels of the Stadium Parking Deck will be permit parking only Saturday until one hour after the completion of the men's basketball game. The Athletics Complex Parking Deck, the Campus Safety Lot off Wire Road and Donahue Drive, and the parking lots inside AG Heritage Park are available Saturday.
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.