AUBURN, Ala. – Coming off its second trip to the College World Series in the last three postseasons, No. 17 Auburn opens its 2023 slate with a three-game series against Indiana this weekend.
First pitches at Plainsman Park are set for Friday at 4 p.m. CT, Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
This Weekend:
Indiana
Feb. 17-19, 2023
4 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 1 p.m. CT
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
TV: SEC Network+
"I'm excited about the season and for our players to play somebody else," eighth-year head coach Butch Thompson said. "The guesswork goes away tomorrow. We'll know more come next Monday than we've known for months, who we are."
All three games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on 93.9 FM Friday and Saturday and 95.9 FM Sunday. The games will also be streamed on SEC Network+ and available on the Watch ESPN app.
Fewer than 100 tickets for Friday remain. Purchase your single-game tickets here.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – So. RHP Chase Allsup (0-0, 0.00) vs. Sr LHP Ben Seiler (0-0, 0.00)
Saturday – Jr. RHP Joseph Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00) vs. R-Sr. LHP Ty Bothwell (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday – Fr. LHP Drew Nelson (0-0, 0.00) vs. TBA
QUICK HITTERS
This weekend begins Auburn's 74th season at Plainsman Park.
The Tigers are 6-1 in season openers and 7-0 in home openers under head coach Butch Thompson.
Auburn has outscored its opponent 68-14 in the last seven home openers.
The Tigers roster consists of 38 players, including 18 returners and 20 newcomers.
Kason Howell, Nate LaRue and Bobby Peirce were voted this year's team captains by their peers.
The incoming class was rated as high as No. 5 in the country by Perfect Game, led by four freshmen ranked as top-100 recruits out of high school.
The team is tasked with replacing eight draft picks from last year, including five pitchers.
Auburn is 4-1 all-time against Indiana, including 3-1 at home, with this weekend marking the first meeting between the two programs since 1996.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
Indiana enters its fifth season under head coach Jeff Mercer and are 99-79 under his guidance.
The Hoosiers return their top seven hitters from a season ago, including senior outfielder Hunter Jessee, who hit over .400 in conference play.
From a run production standpoint, sophomore outfielder Carter Mathison and redshirt senior catcher Matthew Ellis combined for 37 home runs and 123 RBI in 2022.
As a staff, Indiana returns just four pitchers who logged innings for the team in 2022.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Fans are encouraged to park in the athletics complex parking deck and the stadium parking deck this weekend. Parking in the Coliseum lot will be limited due to a University event from Friday-Sunday.
Students who plan to utilize the 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. The Philly Connection (Friday) and Amsterdam Cafe (Saturday) food trucks will also be on site.
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, merchandise and tickets will be contactless and cashless (credit/debit and Tiger Cards only).
In addition to the home plate concessions, Chick-fil-A will be available on the patio located down the first base line and in the Tiger Terrace down the left field line, excluding Sundays.
A pop-up Auburn Team Shop will be located inside the gates behind home plate.
Auburn Athletics will continue to provide digital tickets for the 2023 baseball season. Digital tickets help to increase convenience, flexibility and safety for fans on gamedays. Click here for more information on digital tickets.