AUBURN, Ala. – No. 18 Auburn (31-14, 12-9 SEC) and No. 3 Arkansas (34-11, 14-7 SEC) are set to square off in a matchup of the top two teams in the SEC West this weekend.
Next Games:
vs No. 3 Arkansas
May 6-8, 2022
7 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 1 p.m. CT
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
"Our work is cut out for us," head coach Butch Thompson said. "Hopefully, by sharpening our axe at Tennessee, we're even more prepared. You're supposed to see stuff in this league, and it makes you even more sharp.
"If we can have success this weekend it puts us in a good position," Thompson added.
First pitches at Plainsman Park are scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. CT, Saturday at 4:30 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. Saturday's game will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network, while Friday and Sunday's games are available for streaming on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Jr. RHP Mason Barnett (2-1, 4.19) vs. Sr. RHP Connor Noland (5-3, 2.77)
Saturday – Jr. RHP Trace Bright (2-4, 4.29) vs. Fr. LHP Hagen Smith (6-2, 3.75)
Sunday – So. RHP Joseph Gonzalez (6-1, 2.30) vs. So. RHP Jaxon Wiggins (5-1, 5.75)
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn enters the weekend tied for second in the SEC West, two games behind Arkansas, and tied for third in the league standings overall.
The Tigers are 19-7 at home, including 6-3 in SEC play, and have won seven straight home games dating back to Apr. 10.
The team has outscored its opponents 48-18 while hitting .310 and turning in a 1.69 ERA during the home winning streak.
Auburn has won 16 games in which it has trailed this season.
The Tigers are 7-6 against ranked opponents this season with all 13 games against top-12 teams.
Arkansas represents Auburn's third opponent ranked in the top three this season.
The all-time series between Auburn and Arkansas is tied, 48-48, with the Tigers holding a 24-18 advantage in games played at Plainsman Park.
The Tigers are looking for the first series win against the Razorbacks since 2017.
SCOUTING THE RAZORBACKS
Arkansas enters the weekend with a 34-11 overall record and 14-7 mark in SEC play, good for first in the SEC West and second in the league standings overall.
The Razorbacks have won 15 of their last 17 SEC series.
Offensively, the team is hitting .277 overall and .254 in league play, led by Michael Turner's .323 overall average and .326 clip in conference games.
On the mound, the Razorbacks rank sixth in the country and third in the league with a 3.33 ERA, including a 3.47 ERA in SEC games.
Defensively, Arkansas is second in the country in fielding percentage (.985) and leads the league in double plays.KNOW BEFORE YOUR 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. With graduation ceremonies this weekend, additional parking Friday and Saturday will be available in the Ag Heritage lot located at 580 South Donahue Drive. Shuttles will be running two hours prior and one hour after the game.
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.
PROMOTIONS
Friday: Blue tumbler giveaway
Saturday: Balloon artist by the Josh Donaldson Hitting Lab
Sunday: Junior trading card giveaway; postgame autograph session