AUBURN, Ala. –Adjusting last minute is the theme of the season, as No. 25 Auburn softball (7-2-1) now preps for a seven-game homestand that begins Thursday night at Jane B. Moore Field with the addition of a midweek tilt with Georgia State ahead of the Jane B. Moore Memorial Tournament.
"We've got really good competition over the next four days," said head coach Mickey Dean. "These are teams that usually compete for their conference championships. It's going to be a great challenge for us. Of course, we get to deal with rain again. Hopefully, we're able to get in some games and are really tested before we head into SEC play."
Auburn faces the Panthers (5-11) Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. While no video stream is available, fans can catch Jacob Goins with the radio call on WEGL 91.1 FM. Season ticket holders will receive complimentary tickets to Thursday's game. Single-game tickets are also available for purchase.
The Tigers hold a 12-game wins streak versus Georgia State as the Panthers are making their trip to Jane B. Moore Field since March 11, 2020. Auburn took a 2-1 victory in what would be the last game of the shortened 2020 season.
In the final weekend before the start of Southeastern Conference play, Auburn hosts the third annual Jane B. Moore Memorial Tournament. The Tigers take on USC Upstate (7-7) and Northwestern (7-4) on Friday, beginning at 1 p.m. CT. The first 100 fans at Jane B. Moore Field will receive a collectable Jane B. Moore Memorial pennant. Pennants will be available at 3 p.m. CT.
Auburn is facing USC Upstate for just the second time in program history and the first in the regular season. The Spartans last came to The Plains as part of the 2016 Auburn Regional. The Tigers will be looking for revenge versus Northwestern. The two teams faced off twice last season at the Omni Hall of Fame Classic in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Wildcats walked away with two one-run victories. The is the first time the two teams have faced off on either of their campuses.
Saturday is Military Appreciation Day at Jane B. Moore Field and features a twin billing scheduled at 2 p.m. CT with Northwestern and North Texas (7-7). Sunday's finale is set for 1 p.m. CT as the Tigers face North Texas and USC Upstate.
Auburn is facing the Mean Grean for the first time in 20 seasons. The two programs have met just once with Auburn winning 7-2 in Waco, Texas back in 2004.
With inclement weather in the forecast throughout the weekend, fans are encouraged to check Auburn Softball's social media accounts any schedule updates.
Friday's doubleheader will air on the SEC Network+ with Brit Bowen and Auburn softball alumna Amy Reif in the booth. Sunday's slate will also air on the SEC Network+ with Reif joined by JJ Jackson.
All six contests are also available on the Auburn Sports Network and WEGL 91.1 FM. Jacob Hillman and JJ Jackson will head the play-by-play call throughout the weekend.
Auburn is coming off a 3-1 performance at the Plainsman Invite, which featured a pair of no-hitters from the Tiger pitching staff. Shelby Lowe and Annabelle Widra combined for a no-hit effort in the opener versus Southeast Missouri State while Penta tossed her fifth no-hitter in last Sunday's finale versus UNI. With the win, Penta stands just five shy of setting the program's career wins record.
Amelia Lech continues to lead Auburn at the plate and is proving to be one of the top sluggers in the SEC through the first three weeks of the season. Five of Lech's eight hits are home runs as she leads the league in home runs per game (0.50) and stands second with a 1.091 slugging percentage.