AUBURN, Ala. – After playing on the road against top-three opponents two of the first three weekends of conference play, Auburn (18-10-1, 3-6) returns to Plainsman Park to host Texas A&M (18-11, 3-6 SEC) Thursday through Saturday.
Up Next:
vs. Texas A&M
Thursday-Saturday, Apr. 6-8, 2023
7 p.m. | 6 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network (Thu) | SEC Network+ (Fri/Sat)
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
First pitches are currently scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. CT, Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
"You just keep getting right back into the frame. That's what I expect from our guys is to keep battling," head coach Butch Thompson said. "We are at a very important part of our schedule, just like our whole league is every year. We're at that portion of our schedule where we have to keep fighting."
Thursday's game will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network, and the final two games will be streamed digitally on SEC Network+. All three games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on 93.9 FM.
As a part of A-Day weekend festivities, Auburn will honor National Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas with a statue unveiling Saturday, Apr. 8 at 10 a.m. CT at Plainsman Park. Thomas remains the only player in the history of the Southeastern Conference to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"This has been about a five-year odyssey to get this to this point for this Saturday," Thompson added. "There's nothing better to tell the history of our program and story than having that statue out front. It's an unbelievable addition to Plainsman Park. I hope it's celebrated by not only Auburn, but by our entire conference. To honor somebody who had that type of significance on the game of baseball, and he's one of ours, it's a big deal."
PROBABLE STARTERS
Thursday – So. RHP Will Cannon (2-0, 2.28) vs. Jr. RHP Nathan Dettmer (1-3, 5.66)
Friday – TBA vs. Fr. LHP Justin Lamkin (1-3, 4.88)
Saturday – Gr. LHP Tommy Vail (2-1, 4.28) vs. TBA
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn is 14-4-1 at home this season and has won 27 of its last 34 games at Plainsman Park dating back to last year (27-6-1).
The Tigers have won four of their last five home SEC series and are 10-4 overall during the span.
The team's top three hitters in Ike Irish, Bryson Ware and Cole Foster are hitting a combined .421 (90-for-214) with 61 runs, 26 doubles, 14 home runs and 65 RBI in 19 home games.
Ware has reached base in 30 straight games dating back to last season and has a hit in 13 straight, marking his second hitting streak of 13 or more games this season.
Will Cannon will make his second start in the series opener Thursday. Cannon is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his last four appearances and leads the team with a 1.54 ERA in SEC play.
Auburn is 14-15 all-time against Texas A&M and 7-5 against the Aggies at Plainsman Park.
The Tigers have won three of the four series between the two teams at Plainsman Park - 2014, 2018 and 2021 - and took two of three games against the Aggies in College Station last year.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
Texas A&M enters the weekend with an 18-11 overall record and 3-6 mark in SEC play. The Aggies dropped their first two SEC series vs. LSU and at Tennessee before taking two of three games vs. Ole Miss last weekend.
Offensively, the Aggies are hitting .273 as a team, led by junior shortstop Hunter Haas' .389 clip, and have scored 212 runs in 29 games. The team has stolen 44 bases this season, good for the third most in the SEC.
On the mound, Texas A&M has turned in a 5.25 staff ERA with 301 strikeouts in 258.2 innings. The team ERA is up to 8.47 in league games.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A list of A-Day Weekend activities and information can be found here.
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Fans are encouraged to park in the athletics complex parking deck, coliseum lot, Neville Arena lot and stadium parking deck. Parking Saturday will be more limited than usual due to A-Day. Fans are encouraged to allow for additional time upon their arrival to the ballpark.
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. Additionally for this weekend, a vault pop-up shop will be located in the Plainsman Park parking lot Friday and Saturday beginning 90 minutes prior to first pitch Friday. Retro Auburn and Frank Thomas apparel will be available for purchase.
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.
PROMOTIONS
Thursday: cream tumbler giveaway – first 350 fans, limited to one per ticket.
Friday: Momma G's food truck for students in the outfield viewing plaza.
Saturday: Frank Thomas pennant giveaway – first 500 fans, limited to one per ticket.
Saturday: Frank Thomas decal mini helmets with purchase of Dippin' Dots down the first base line, while supplies last.