AUBURN, Ala. – No. 19 Auburn (26-12, 8-7 SEC) starts the second half of Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series against South Carolina (19-17, 6-9 SEC) this weekend.
Next Games:
vs. South Carolina
Apr. 22-24, 2022
6 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 1 p.m. CT
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
"Now that you start that sixth weekend, you can really start sensing that every game becomes so precious," head coach Butch Thompson said. "The first thing I think about is how much is on the line for everybody.
"There's real respect for an opponent when you start talking about, they beat Texas in a series, Vanderbilt in a series, Ole Miss in a series," Thompson added. "I think you can just make that statement and have enough respect for your opponent."
First pitches at Plainsman Park are scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT, Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
All three games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on 93.9 FM. They are also available for streaming on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Jr. LHP Hayden Mullins (2-1, 3.58) vs. Jr. RHP Brett Thomas (0-0, 6.75)
Saturday – Jr. RHP Trace Bright (2-4, 4.17) vs. JR RHP Noah Hall (2-4, 4.91)
Sunday – So. RHP Joseph Gonzalez (5-0, 2.01) vs. So. RHP Will Sanders (5-1, 3.51)
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn enters the weekend winners of three straight games and eight of the last 11 contests dating back to the series finale at LSU on Apr. 2.
The Tigers begin the second half of SEC play tied for second in the West and tied for fourth overall.
The team is 5-4 on the road and 3-3 at home in conference play.
Auburn is 8-4 in one-run games and has won 14 games in which it has trailed this season, including Tuesday's 6-5 win against Alabama State.
This weekend marks the fourth straight weekend Auburn has stuck with its starting rotation of Hayden Mullins, Trace Bright and Joseph Gonzalez.
The pitching staff has turned in a 1.61 ERA with 37 strikeouts in the last three games.
The Tigers are looking to win four of the first six SEC series for the first time since 2017.
Auburn is 27-47 all-time against South Carolina, including 13-22 at home against the Gamecocks.
However, the Tigers have won three straight series and six of the last eight games in matchup.
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
South Carolina enters the weekend 19-17 overall and 6-9 in SEC play, coming off a series win against Ole Miss.
The Gamecocks have yet to win a road series but have home series wins against No. 1 Texas, No. 4 Vanderbilt and No. 25 Ole Miss.
Offensively, South Carolina is hitting .262 as a team and is led by senior Brant Belk's .360 clip, which is tied for seventh in the SEC.
On the mound, the Gamecocks have turned in a 5.28 staff ERA with 341 strikeouts in 313.2 innings.
PROMOTIONS
This weekend marks Auburn's annual alumni weekend. If you have questions regarding the specific events of the weekend, please contact the baseball office at aubases@auburn.edu.
A list of promotions this weekend is included below.
Friday:
- Eagles Awareness Night – visit the table on concourse for more info
- 90's Night - Fanny pack giveaway; Pit viper sunglasses giveaway (students only)
Saturday:
- Pregame alumni recognition highlighting 25th anniversary of 1997 College World Series
- 1997 College World Series pennant giveaway
Sunday:
- Sophomore trading card giveaway
- Sophomore postgame autograph session
- Mini helmet giveaway with the purchase of Dippin' Dots while supplies last
- Kids Zone will be open down the right field line
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Fans are encouraged to park in the coliseum parking lot, athletics complex parking deck and the stadium parking deck. Additional parking is available in the Neville Arena lot.
Students who plan to utilize the new outfield viewing plaza in right center do not need to enter through the main student gate and may bring outside food and beverage into the space.
Students who wish to sit inside the ballpark (sections 111 and 58-73) must enter through the gate located behind home plate. Students will utilize their digital Tiger Card on their phones for entry. They may no longer enter through the gate located at the Tiger Terrace or down the right field, which has been moved approximately 30 feet from its original location.
All transactions for concessions and merchandise locations at Plainsman Park will be cashless (credit/debit and Tiger Cards only).
Auburn Athletics will continue to provide digital tickets for the 2022 baseball season. Digital tickets help to increase convenience, flexibility and safety for fans on gamedays. Click here for more information on digital tickets.