AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn begins the final three weekends of Southeastern Conference play by hosting LSU for a three-game series at Plainsman Park.
First pitches between Auburn (19-21, 5-16 SEC) and LSU (27-17, 7-14 SEC) are scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT, Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
"Three weekends, and the three teams that are closest to us in the standings are the three remaining on our schedule," head coach Butch Thompson said. "No wiggle room for us, so it's really, really important for us to play good baseball. It's kind of a postseason feel for us at this point."
All three contests can be heard on the Auburn Sports Network. Thursday and Friday's games will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU and SEC Network, respectively, and Saturday's finale will air digitally on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Sr. LHP Jack Owen (1-3, 5.62) vs. Jr. RHP Landon Marceaux (4-4, 2.15)
Saturday – So. RHP Trace Bright (4-4, 7.71) vs. R-Jr. RHP AJ Labas (3-1, 4.22)
Sunday – TBA vs. TBA
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn is coming off its first SEC series win of the season after winning the final two games at No. 20 Georgia last Friday and Saturday.
The series win against the No. 20 Bulldogs was Auburn first road series win since taking two of three games at No. 7 Mississippi State in 2017.
Twenty-three of Auburn's games this season have been decided by two runs of fewer, including 16 of 21 conference games.
The Tigers are 2-8 in one-run games and 2-4 in two-run games in SEC play.
The Tigers rank third in the SEC and seventh in the country with 62 home runs.
Ryan Dyal became the 12th player to homer this season with a solo shot at Georgia last Friday, marking the most players to homer in a season since 2010 (15).
Tyler Miller has driven in a league best 51 runs through 40 games, marking the most by an Auburn through 40 games since SEC Player of the Year Hunter Morris in 2010 (52).
This weekend marks the first meeting between Auburn and LSU since the 2019 SEC Tournament when LSU defeated Auburn before the Tigers went on its run to Omaha.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
LSU enters the weekend with a 27-17 overall record and 7-14 mark in SEC play.
The Tigers hosted No. 1 Arkansas last weekend and salvaged the series finale to win a game against the top-ranked Razorbacks.
Offensively, LSU is hitting .276 as a team and is led by a pair of freshmen in Dylan Crews and Tre Morgan, who are hitting .361 and .349, respectively.
On the mound, the Tigers have turned in a 4.58 staff ERA led by junior righty Landon Marceaux's 2.15 clip. Marceaux and AJ Labas have started all 11 weekends 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 must arrive to the ballpark via Donahue Drive or Wire Road to Heisman Drive as Biggio Drive is currently closed. Fans are now allowed to enter through the gates at the Tiger Terrace and down the right field line.
Spectators are required to wear face coverings when entering and exiting Plainsman Park and in public spaces, such as concourses, restrooms and concession lines, and are encouraged to wear them when seated.
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.
