Auburn to host ‘Joe Beckwith Day’ as Gators come to town

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn baseball will honor former great and two-time World Series champion Joe Beckwith prior to Friday's series opener against Florida at Plainsman Park.
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by approximately 5:45 p.m. for the pregame ceremony.
 
First pitches between the Tigers (16-18, 2-13 SEC) and Gators (26-11, 9-6 SEC) at are scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT, Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
All three contests can be heard on the Auburn Sports Network. Friday and Sunday's games will be broadcast digitally on SEC Network+ and Saturday's game will air nationally on SEC Network.
 
PROBABLE STARTERS 
Friday – Sr. LHP Jack Owen (1-2, 7.36) vs. Jr. RHP Franco Aleman (1-1, 4.06)
 
Saturday – Jr. RHP Richard Fitts (0-3, 7.04) vs. Sr. RHP Tommy Mace (4-0, 3.78)
 
Sunday – TBA vs. So. LHP Hunter Barco (5-2, 4.70)
 
QUICK HITTERS 
Florida represents Auburn's fourth top-10 conference foe in the first six weeks of SEC play.
 
Ten of Auburn's first 15 SEC games have been decided by one run, which is four more than any other team in the league.
 
The Tigers rank third in the country and second in the SEC with 55 home runs.
 
The team has homered in 11 of the last 12 games and 12 of 15 SEC games.
 
Tyler Miller's 11 home runs and 45 RBI are the most by an Auburn player through 34 games since Joseph Sanders (16 home runs, 48 RBI) in 2009.
 
Cody Greenhill returned to the bullpen this week and earned his first save of the season vs. Samford Tuesday. He is tied with Gregg Olson and Colter Bean for fourth all-time with 20 saves.
 
Auburn leads the all-time series that dates back more than 100 years 133-117-2 and is 64-36 against the Gators at Plainsman Park.
 
This weekend marks the first time the two teams have met since the 2018 Super Regional.
 
SCOUTING THE GATORS 
Florida enters the weekend with a 26-11 overall record and 9-6 mark in SEC play.
 
The Gators have won six straight games after sweeping Missouri at home last weekend.
 
Offensively, the team is led by Nathan Hickey's .358 clip, which ranks fifth in the conference. Hickey also leads the way with 38 RBI, while Jud Fabian is the biggest power threat with 12 home runs.
 
Florida has turned in a 3.88 staff ERA, and its weekend rotation is a combined 10-3 this season.
 
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO 
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
 
In accordance with current state health COVID-19 guidelines, Plainsman Park capacity will be reduced during the 2021 Auburn baseball season.
 
Fans are now allowed to enter through the gates at the Tiger Terrace and down the right field line.  
 
Face coverings (over the nose and mouth) will be required for all spectators and gameday workers upon entry and while inside Plainsman Park. Guests may remove face coverings while actively eating or drinking. Failure to comply with the mask expectation could result in removal from Plainsman Park.
 
All transactions for concessions and merchandise locations at Plainsman Park will be contactless and cashless (credit/debit and Tiger Cards only).
 
Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures throughout the park prior to and during all games will be in effect for the 2021 season. 
 
For all information regarding attendance and health and safety procedures throughout the 2021 season, please visit the Auburn baseball gameday page.