AUBURN, Ala. – Embarking on its second road trip against a top-three opponent, Auburn (17-7-1, 2-4 SEC) takes on No. 2 Florida (22-4, 5-1 SEC) in a three-game series Friday through Sunday. First pitches in Gainesville are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT Friday and Saturday and noon CT Sunday.
Up Next:
at No. 2 Florida
Friday-Sunday, Mar. 31-Apr. 2, 2023
5:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 12 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network+
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
"We're excited to get what we think is our best lineup back, and now we're trying to couple that with what we think is our best setup going into a tough environment," head coach Butch Thompson said. "I can't wait to get down there and compete against a great ballclub with our lineup intact and a new setup on the mound.
"We're still hunting for a signature thing for not really outsiders to say we belong, but for our group in our circle to know we belong," Thompson added. "I think they need a signature for them. Whether we get the result or not that we want, the process of how we act and carry ourselves is what I'm really intentional about evaluating and watching."
All three games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on 93.9 FM. The games will also be streamed digitally on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – So. RHP Will Cannon (2-0, 2.29) vs. Jr. RHP Brandon Sproat (4-0, 3.60)
Saturday – So. RHP John Armstrong (5-0, 3.91) vs. Jr. RHP Hurston Waldrep (4-1, 4.78)
Sunday – Gr. LHP Tommy Vail (2-1, 3.57) vs. So. LHP Jac Caglianone (3-0, 3.41)
QUICK HITTERS
This weekend marks Auburn's second straight SEC road series against a top-three opponent.
Auburn is one of five SEC teams with 60 or more wins since the start of last season, joining Arkansas, Florida, LSU and Tennessee on the short list.
The Tigers' new starting rotation of Will Cannon, John Armstrong and Tommy Vail is a combined 9-1 with a 3.31 ERA in 65. 1 innings pitched.
The team's top three hitters in Ike Irish, Bryson Ware and Cole Foster are hitting a combined .402 (111-for-276) with 73 runs, 28 doubles, 17 home runs and 75 RBI.
The Tigers have homered in 22 of 25 games this season and have multiple home runs in two of the last three contests.
The team is 13-0 when outhitting the opponent and 12-0 in night games (after 6 p.m.).
Auburn leads the series against Florida 134-119-2 but is 63-73 against the Gators in Gainesville.
The Tigers are looking for their first series win in Gainesville since 2013.
SCOUTING THE GATORS
Winners of 13 of its last 14 games, Florida enters the weekend with a 22-4 overall record and 5-1 mark in SEC play after sweeping a series at Ole Miss last weekend.
The Gators lead the country in slugging percentage (0.621) and rank top five in the NCAA in batting average (.328), hits (296), home runs (61) and runs (260).
Two-way player Jac Caglianone leads the country with 17 home runs and is third in the league with 42 hits.
Florida's regular rotation of Brandon Sproat, Hurston Waldrep and Caglianone are a combined 11-1 with a 3.94 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 96.0 innings.