AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn baseball looks to defend its home field as the Tigers are set to host No. 4 Mississippi State for three games Friday-Sunday.
First pitches between the Tigers (12-13, 1-8 SEC) and Bulldogs (21-7, 5-4 SEC) at Plainsman Park are scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT, Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
"We feel like we're close and welcome the opportunity to get back out and compete again" head coach Butch Thompson said. "I think that's the biggest thing. We're kind of at a position here pretty early in the season, still not at the halfway point, to where we're not looking back or looking ahead. Hopefully get in this moment and figure out a way to take the next step."
All three contests can be heard on the Auburn Sports Network. Friday and Saturday's games will be broadcast digitally on SEC Network+ and Sunday's finale will air nationally on SEC Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Sr. RHP Cody Greenhill (3-0, 1.62) vs. Jr. LHP Christian MacLeod (3-2, 2.67)
Saturday – Sr. LHP Jack Owen (0-1, 7.04) vs. So. RHP Will Bednar (1-0, 2.35)
Sunday – Fr. RHP Joseph Gonzalez (0-2, 4.87) vs. Fr. RHP Jackson Fristoe (3-2, 3.34)
QUICK HITTERS
Mississippi State represents Auburn's third top-five foe in the first four weeks of SEC play.
Six of Auburn's first nine SEC games have been decided by one run and all but one have been decided by two runs or less.
This weekend marks the second time Auburn has used the same starting rotation back-to-back weeks this season.
The Tigers' starting rotation turned in a combined 1.56 ERA and .127 batting average against at No. 1 Arkansas last weekend.
Tyler Miller, Brody Moore, Rankin Woley and Ryan Bliss have anchored Auburn's infield in 20 straight games and are the team's top four hitters with a .352 combined average.
Auburn trails Mississippi State 93-110-1 all-time in the series but are 51-40 against the Bulldogs at Plainsman Park.
The Tigers are looking for its second straight home series win against the Bulldogs.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Mississippi State enters the weekend with a 21-7 overall record and 5-4 mark in SEC play.
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 4 in the country according to Baseball America and No. 5 according to D1 Baseball and the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Mississippi State leads the country with 372 strikeouts in 251.0 innings pitched. The Bulldogs also rank top 10 in the country and second in the SEC with a 2.76 staff ERA.
Offensively, Tanner Allen leads the way with a .324 batting average on a team that's hitting .272, good for eighth in the league.
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.
Starting this weekend, fans will be 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.
Tigers return home to host No. 4 Mississippi State
