AUBURN, Ala. – In the final games of the regular season, No. 15 Auburn softball (39-11, 11-10 SEC) treks to Knoxville to face No. 14 Tennessee (35-15, 12-8 SEC) in a three-game series at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
"Tennessee has power and speed," said head coach Mickey Dean. "They have a lot of experience and seniority on the roster. Even the transfer players that came into the program were upper classmen. Ashley Rogers is back in the circle, which is going to elevate their staff. She missed about a month of the season, but she is back. Tennessee is also very well coached."
The series begins on Saturday with a 5 p.m. CT first pitch on the SEC Network. The Tigers return to the SEC Network for game two. First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m. CT. Mark Neely and Danielle Lawrie will have the call for both games. Sunday's finale is slated for 12:30 p.m. CT. Andy Brock and Michelle LaCourse will have coverage on the SEC Network+.
JJ Jackson and Brit Bowen will have radio coverage of all three contests of the series on the Auburn Sports Network.
LEADING OFF
- Closing the regular season on Rocky Top, Auburn softball is searching for its third consecutive series win in Southeastern Conference play. The Tigers have last won three straight SEC series since 2018. The Tigers are searching for their second straight road series win at Tennessee.
- With key hits to help Auburn to its first series win over Georgia since 2017, Bri Ellis was tabbed the SEC Freshman of the Week. She has won the honor twice this season.
- Behind back-to-back SEC series wins, Auburn has brought its SEC win total to 11 games. It is Auburn's most wins in league play since 2018.
- In a complete-game effort to open the series against Georgia, Maddie Penta brought her SEC-leading victories total to 23. She is now tied with Beth DiPietro for the fifth most wins by a Tiger pitcher in a single season. Penta ranks fifth nationally in total victories.
- Behind a pair of home runs at Mississippi State, Bri Ellis has tied Kasey Cooper for the program's freshman home run record at 18. Ellis currently stands tied for fifth in Auburn single-season history in home runs and is just four shy of shattering the single-season record.
- With a shutout victory at Mercer, Auburn secured its 30th win of the 2022 season. This marks Auburn's first 30-win series since 2019. With three regular-season contests remaining, Auburn is searching for its first 40-win season since 2018.
- Turning in one of the top slugging performances in the SEC, Bri Ellis was honored as one of 25 finalists for the 2022 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year award.
- Behind 12 different Tigers going yard this season, Auburn has totaled 82 home runs in 2022, the fourth most in a single season in program history.
- For the first time in program history, Auburn has two freshman players with at least 10 home runs in the same season as Nelia Peralta has joined Bri Ellis in double-digit homers.
- Thirty-nine of Auburn's 82 home runs in 2022 have been slugged by the Tiger freshmen class. Four Tiger freshmen have recorded multiple home runs this season with three hitting at least eight
ON DECK
Still competing for a chance at a double bye at the 2022 Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Tigers will await seeding and their opponent. The tournament begins on Tuesday, May 10 in Gainesville, Fla.