Competing at the home of the Women's College World Series, No. 19 Auburn softball (21-5) prepares for a tough slate of opponents that all made postseason appearances a season ago at the Omni Hall of Fame Classic at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
In the final non-conference weekend of the regular season, the Tigers are set to face Weber State (6-15), Northwestern (9-7) and No. 1 Oklahoma (22-1) over a three-day stretch. All three teams earned postseason berths with Northwestern and Oklahoma advancing to the Women's College World Series where the Sooners won the national championship.
"We wanted a tournament that would challenge us," said head coach Mickey Dean. "When we saw that the tournament was going to be played in Oklahoma City, we thought what better atmosphere and position to put our team. It brings a little excitement to our bye weekend in conference play instead of trying to find a couple teams and put something together at home. I think our kids are really looking forward to it."
Auburn opens the tournament on Friday with a twin billing against the Wildcats of both Weber State and Northwestern. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. CT. The Tigers return to the field on Saturday for a rematch with Northwestern before taking on the Sooners. Action begins at 1:30 p.m. CT. Sunday's finale against Oklahoma is set for 2 p.m. CT.
"It's a strong field," Dean added. "We're facing two teams that went to the World Series last year and by most people's accounts were picked to return this year. Weber State has played a tough schedule. Don't let their record fool you. They've played six one-run games against Power 5 teams. It's going to be a challenge."
The Tigers' first three contests will be streamed for free on USA Softball's website. Both contests against the Sooners will be available on ESPN+. JJ Jackson will have radio coverage of all five contests on the Auburn Sports Network.
Auburn is making its return to ASA Hall of Fame Stadium for the first time since its historic 2015 and 2016 WCWS runs. The Tigers are facing Weber State for the first time in program history while renewing old rivalries with Northwestern and Oklahoma. The Tigers last met the Sooners at the 2017 Auburn Super Regional with Oklahoma advancing to the Women's College World Series.
After a hot start to begin her junior season, Maddie Penta is inching closer to another career milestone. The hard-throwing righty needs just nine strikeouts to become the fourth pitcher in school history to record 500 career strikeouts.
Penta leads the SEC with 11 victories and leads the league with a 19.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio. She holds a 0.56 earned run average in the circle, allowing just six earned runs through 75.1 innings.
Bri Ellis currently ranks seventh in the SEC with eight home runs while ranking sixth in the league with 28 RBI. Tracking towards another program record, Ellis needs just 11 home runs throughout the remainder of the season to shatter the program's sophomore record held by three-time All-American Kasey Cooper. Just 26 games into her sophomore season, Ellis stands in a tie for 11th in school history for career home runs. She needs just three to move into 10th outright.
The only player on the roster to reach base in all 26 games to start the season, Nelia Peralta is thriving in the top spot of the lineup. Peralta ranks seventh in the SEC with a .552 on-base percentage with help of a team-leading 19 walks. Peralta is one game shy of hold the ninth-longest on-base streak in program history. The shortstop leads the team with a .409 average at the plate with 27 hits.
The Tigers return to Jane B. Moore Field and SEC action next weekend, hosting Missouri for a three-game series that begins on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT.
In the final non-conference weekend of the regular season, the Tigers are set to face Weber State (6-15), Northwestern (9-7) and No. 1 Oklahoma (22-1) over a three-day stretch. All three teams earned postseason berths with Northwestern and Oklahoma advancing to the Women's College World Series where the Sooners won the national championship.
"We wanted a tournament that would challenge us," said head coach Mickey Dean. "When we saw that the tournament was going to be played in Oklahoma City, we thought what better atmosphere and position to put our team. It brings a little excitement to our bye weekend in conference play instead of trying to find a couple teams and put something together at home. I think our kids are really looking forward to it."
Auburn opens the tournament on Friday with a twin billing against the Wildcats of both Weber State and Northwestern. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. CT. The Tigers return to the field on Saturday for a rematch with Northwestern before taking on the Sooners. Action begins at 1:30 p.m. CT. Sunday's finale against Oklahoma is set for 2 p.m. CT.
"It's a strong field," Dean added. "We're facing two teams that went to the World Series last year and by most people's accounts were picked to return this year. Weber State has played a tough schedule. Don't let their record fool you. They've played six one-run games against Power 5 teams. It's going to be a challenge."
The Tigers' first three contests will be streamed for free on USA Softball's website. Both contests against the Sooners will be available on ESPN+. JJ Jackson will have radio coverage of all five contests on the Auburn Sports Network.
Auburn is making its return to ASA Hall of Fame Stadium for the first time since its historic 2015 and 2016 WCWS runs. The Tigers are facing Weber State for the first time in program history while renewing old rivalries with Northwestern and Oklahoma. The Tigers last met the Sooners at the 2017 Auburn Super Regional with Oklahoma advancing to the Women's College World Series.
After a hot start to begin her junior season, Maddie Penta is inching closer to another career milestone. The hard-throwing righty needs just nine strikeouts to become the fourth pitcher in school history to record 500 career strikeouts.
Penta leads the SEC with 11 victories and leads the league with a 19.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio. She holds a 0.56 earned run average in the circle, allowing just six earned runs through 75.1 innings.
Bri Ellis currently ranks seventh in the SEC with eight home runs while ranking sixth in the league with 28 RBI. Tracking towards another program record, Ellis needs just 11 home runs throughout the remainder of the season to shatter the program's sophomore record held by three-time All-American Kasey Cooper. Just 26 games into her sophomore season, Ellis stands in a tie for 11th in school history for career home runs. She needs just three to move into 10th outright.
The only player on the roster to reach base in all 26 games to start the season, Nelia Peralta is thriving in the top spot of the lineup. Peralta ranks seventh in the SEC with a .552 on-base percentage with help of a team-leading 19 walks. Peralta is one game shy of hold the ninth-longest on-base streak in program history. The shortstop leads the team with a .409 average at the plate with 27 hits.
The Tigers return to Jane B. Moore Field and SEC action next weekend, hosting Missouri for a three-game series that begins on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT.