AUBURN, Ala. – After four weeks of tough non-conference competition, Auburn softball (14-8) prepares for its first taste of Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium against No. 7 Florida (18-4).
This weekend marks the fourth time in program history that Auburn has opened its SEC slate against the Gators.
"I don't think we're going to be scare of any team," head coach Mickey Dean said. "That was the intention. We're going to go play softball. We're going to play hard. We can't get so focused on our opponent. We need to focus on ourselves."
The series begins on Friday with a 5 p.m. CT first pitch on the SEC Network +. Game two of the weekend series is set for Saturday with a 5 p.m. CT first pitch. Saturday's contest will air on the SEC Network +.
Auburn will make its 2020 television debut during Sunday's series finale, which is set to air on the SEC Network at 2 p.m. CT. Mike Couzens (play-by-play), Michele Smith (analyst) and Amanda Scarborough (analyst) will have the call.
JJ Jackson will have the radio call on the Auburn Sports Network.
LEADING OFF
- After weather postponed Wednesday's doubleheader at Mercer, the Tigers quickly turn their attention to Southeastern Conference play with a three-game, road series against the No. 7 Gators.
- This weekend marks the fourth time that Auburn has opened SEC play against Florida. The Gators have won the last three opening-weekend series. The Tigers are searching for their first series win in Gainesville since 2002.
- Auburn holds a 34-26 overall record in its opening SEC series. Auburn is looking to win back-to-back SEC opening-weekend series for the first time since 2015-2014.
- Florida will be Auburn's sixth ranked opponent of the 2020 season. The Tigers are currently 2-4 against ranked squads this season after splitting two games with No. 18 Minnesota during the Tiger Invitational.
- For the first time in program history, Auburn swept the SEC's weekly softball awards with Alyssa Rivera, Samantha Yarbrough and Carlee McCondichie winning Co-Player, Co-Pitcher and Co-Freshman of the Week, respectively.
- Entering conference play with just two strikeouts over 65 at-bats, Makenna Dowell ranks as the fourth toughest batter in the Southeastern Conference to strike out this season.
- With a perfect 7-for-7 weekend on the base paths, Alyssa Rivera now stands in a tie for fifth place in program history with 34 career stolen bases.
ON DECK
Auburn wraps up its four-game road swing on Tuesday, March 10 with a midweek contest at Jacksonville. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT. Tuesday's contest will be streamed on ESPN+.