TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the seventh straight year, Auburn softball sets its sight on the Road to Oklahoma City as the Tigers open the 2021 NCAA Tournament against UCF in the Tallahassee Regional Friday at Seminole Softball Stadium.
Earning the two seed at the Tallahassee Regional, Auburn (27-22) will face the Knights of UCF (39-17-1) in the opening game of the regional. First pitch on ESPN2 is set for 1 p.m. CT. Regional host and the national 10th seed in the NCAA Tournament, Florida State (39-10-1) will take on Kennesaw State (26-25) at 3:30 p.m. CT on ESPN3.
"We're facing very good teams this weekend," said head coach Mickey Dean. "UCF has done a tremendous job with the program. They've been playing well for a long time. They do a lot offensively and have strong pitching. It's going to be a great regional."
Auburn has faced both Kennesaw State and Florida State as part of the War Eagle Battle back in March. The Tigers played two games against both the Owls and the Seminoles, splitting games with the two teams.
The two winning teams advance in the winner's bracket and will face off Saturday at 11 a.m. CT to secure a spot in Sunday's regional championship game. The two losing squads will compete in an elimination game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT. TV networks for Saturday's lineup have not been announced.
Jenn Hildreth and Brittany McKinney will have broadcast coverage for every game of the Tallahassee Regional. Fans can also hear radio coverage on the Auburn Sports Network as Brit Bowen and JJ Jackson will have live radio coverage from Seminole Softball Stadium.
"We've played a very tough schedule," said coach Dean. "Earning the second seed in the regional, speaks to our strength of schedule and the strength of the SEC. Our players are excited. We're going to take it one game at a time. The matchups are good for us."
Auburn is making its 16th overall NCAA Tournament appearance and holds a 33-32 record in the tournament. This weekend marks Auburn's third appearance in the Tallahassee Regional. The Tigers last appeared in the Tallahassee Regional in coach Dean's first year on the Plains back in 2018. Auburn has advanced to the Super Regionals on three occasions (2015, 2016, 2017). As a two seed, Auburn holds an 11-18 record in its regional appearances.
LEADING OFF
- Auburn was selected to its seventh straight and 16th overall NCAA Regional as the two seed in the Tallahassee Regional. This weekend marks Auburn's third postseason appearance in Tallahassee. Auburn is 33-32 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
- One of 15 finalists for NFCA National Freshman of the Year/Schutt Sports, Shelby Lowe enters the postseason with 175 strikeouts, the second most by a Tiger freshman in program history. Lowe also moved into 10th in Auburn single-season history. Lowe's 175 strikeouts are the most by an Auburn pitcher since 2010.
- Behind a perfect 15-for-15 mark in stolen base attempts, Makayla Packer ranks eighth in the SEC in total stolen bases. Her 15 steals are the second most by an Auburn freshman in school history. She enters the postseason tied for eighth in stolen bases in Auburn single-season history.
- For the first time in program history, Auburn has two freshmen pitchers over the 100-strikeout mark in the same season as Shelby Lowe and Maddie Penta both surpassed the mark in the regular season.
- With two hits during Auburn's SEC Tournament game, Alyssa Rivera jumped into the top 10 in Auburn career history in hits. Rivera is just the 11th Tiger in program history to record at least 200 hits over their career.
- With just seven strikeouts over 126 at-bats, Tyler King ranks as the fourth toughest player in the SEC to strike out. She averages just one every 18 at bats. King ranks second on the squad in total hits with 37.
ON DECK
The winner of the Tallahassee Regional will advance to face the winner of the Baton Rouge Regional hosted by LSU, who earned the seventh national seed. The Tigers host, McNeese State, George Washington and Louisiana Lafayette at Tiger Park this weekend. NCAA Super Regionals are scheduled to begin Thursday, May 27.