AUBURN, Ala. – Returning to Jane B. Moore Field to compete in its third consecutive non-conference tournament, No. 24 Auburn softball hosts Longwood, Southeast Missouri State and UNI for the Plainsman Invitational.
"This weekend is going to provide a different challenge for our team," said head coach Mickey Dean. "The one thing I'm going to be looking at is staying in our process while on offense. The pitching we are going to be facing will be a little different. How easily can we be distracted and get out of our process? Can we stay within it so that we can continue to progress and continue to get better?"
Auburn is set to play a doubleheader during all three days of the tournament, beginning Friday when the Tigers face Longwood (3-8) and SEMO (4-5). The action begins at 1 p.m. CT. The first 100 fans to arrive for Auburn's contest versus the Redhawks will receive a collectable Plainsman Invitational pennant. Pennants will be available starting at 3 p.m. CT. The first 100 students in attendance will also receive a free Chick-fil-a sandwich.
Saturday's slate features a rematch with the Lancers before Auburn takes on UNI (3-2) for the first time in program history. Under Dean, Auburn is 21-2 in first-time meetings. The twin billing begins at 1 p.m. CT. Both contests will be available on the SEC Network+ with Brit Bown and Auburn softball alumna Kim Owens on the call.
On Sunday, Auburn takes on UNI before rounding out the tournament with a final look at SEMO. Sunday's doubleheader finale begins at 1 p.m. CT.
Jacob Hillman has radio coverage of all six games on the Auburn Sports Network and WEGL 91.1 FM. Hillman is joined throughout the weekend by Riley Kelton, Gehrig Gesch and Brant Daughtry.
Auburn (4-1-1) is returning to The Plains after a 3-0 weekend in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at the PV College Challenge. The Tigers' three wins were highlighted by a 1-0 walk-off victory over No. 13 Utah, Auburn's first ranked win of the season.
Senior pitcher Maddie Penta picked up a pair of victories in Mexico as she now stands just six shy of setting the program's career wins record. The right-hander also recorded her 700th career strikeout in her double-digit effort versus Wichita State to join Anna Thompson, Holly Currie and Kristen Keyes as the only Tigers to ever hit the milestone.
Penta holds a bit of history with Southeast Missouri State as she made her collegiate debut against the Redhawks in Auburn's 2021 season opener. Penta would toss a no-hitter in that outing, and Auburn would sweep SEMO in three games.
Longwood is also making a return trip to Jane B. Moore Field. Auburn last faced the Lancers during its SEC BYE week during the 2016 season. The Tigers took all three games, two of which were decided by one run.
The transfer duo of Amelia Lech and Anna Wohlers lead the Tigers at the plate as the duo both boast a .357 batting average, five hits and five runs scored. Of Lech's five hits, four are home runs as she shares the SEC lead. The power hitter also holds a staggering 1.214 slugging percentage to lead the conference.
With multiple events happening on campus this weekend, softball fans are encouraged to park in the McWhorter lot, along Biggio Drive by the intramural fields, the gravel lot outside of Jane B. Moore Field and in the Hayfield lot.
On Friday and Saturday, a Tiger Transit shuttle will run from the Hayfield lot to the James E. Martin Aquatic Center and Jane B. Moore Field throughout the day.
No. 24 Auburn softball returns to Jane B. Moore Field for Plainsman Invite
