AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn (18-14, 2-10 SEC) takes on is fifth straight top-10 opponent to start Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series against No. 8 Kentucky (27-5, 11-1 SEC) Thursday through Saturday.
Up Next:
vs. No. 8 Kentucky
Thursday-Saturday, Apr. 11-13, 2024
TV: ESPNU / SEC Network+
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
First pitches at Plainsman Park are scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT, Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
"Whenever you're challenged and not playing well, we're trying to meet this head on. That's how you handle things. I don't think there's another way. We have to figure out strategies to meet this head on."
The games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on Wings 94.3 FM. Thursday's game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU and the last two games will be streamed digitally on SEC Network+.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Thursday – So. RHP Dylan Watts (0-0, 5.65) vs. Gr. RHP Trey Pooser (3-0, 3.38)
Friday – Jr. RHP Chase Allsup (1-2, 7.11) vs. Gr. LHP Dominic Niman (6-2, 3.59)
Saturday – TBA vs. Jr. RHP Mason Moore (7-0, 2.62)
QUICK HITTERS
Kentucky represents Auburn's fifth consecutive top-10 opponent to start SEC play.
Auburn is the first SEC program to play five consecutive top-10 teams since Georgia in 2016.
The Tigers' first four SEC opponents are a combined 34-14 (.708) in league play.
The opponents' 34 combined conference wins are the third most in the league.
Including Kentucky, Auburn's first five SEC opponents are currently the top five teams in the league.
The team's eight SEC games from Mar. 17-Apr. 5 were decided by a combined six runs.
Auburn hit .293 and scored 52 runs on 85 hits during the span.
Ike Irish (47) and Cooper McMurray (46) rank second and third in the league in RBI.
Their 93 combined RBI are the third most in the country.
The program recently set single-game attendance records in three-straight home SEC contests: Mar. 23 vs. Arkansas (5,087), Apr. 5 vs. Tennessee (5,119), Apr. 6 vs. Tennessee (5,566).
Auburn leads the all-time series against Kentucky 81-51, including a 39-23 record at home.
The Tigers are looking for their first series win against the Wildcats since 2016.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Kentucky enters the weekend in a tie with Arkansas for first in the league (11-1). The Wildcats have posted a 27-5 overall record and have won 15 of the last 17 games.
Offensively, the Wildcats are hitting .287 as a team and have raised that average to .316 in SEC play, the second highest mark in the league. Seven of their nine everyday starters are hitting .310 or higher in league play.
On the mound, Kentucky boasts the third-best ERA in the league (3.61) and has lowered the mark to 3.09 in SEC games, good for second best in the conference.
PROMOTIONS
Thursday – Country Night: Aubie cowboy hat giveaway
Friday – Friday Night Eagle Flight
Saturday – Alumni Day; Par-Tee at Plainsman: rally towel giveaway
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
New for 2024, gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.
- Fans must enter Plainsman Park via the main gates located behind home plate or Tiger Terrace.
- The gate located off Donahue Drive near the right field foul pole is closed due to construction.
- Those with a reserved ticket or add-on access to the Hall of Fame Club may enter via the exterior glass door located off Donahue Drive.
Fans are encouraged to park in the athletics complex parking deck, coliseum lot, Neville Arena lot and stadium parking deck.
- For 2024, Donahue Drive from the Josh Donaldson Hitting Lab to the Tiger Walk corner of Donahue and Heisman Drive will be shut down from two hours before first pitch through the middle of the first inning and from the top of the seventh inning until the stadium has been cleared of fans.
Student seating inside Plainsman Park is in section 111 and Tiger Terrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Students can also access the new Back Forty Deck sponsored by Outdoor Alabama on a first-come, first-served basis via the walkway between the Josh Donaldson Hitting Lab and South Donahue Dorms.
For 2024, several concession locations have changed due to construction.
- There will be no concessions available along the first base side of the ballpark, including Curveball Café and the food vendors located at Plainsman Patio.
- Ben's Soft Pretzels has moved to the exterior concourse next to the ADA ramp on the third base side of the ballpark.
- The Sweet Treats stand previously located at Plainsman Patio is now located at the main entry gate next to the ticket booth.
- The Chick-fil-A stand previously located next at Plainsman Patio is now located in the former promotions booth on the exterior concourse. Chick-fil-A is available for all home games, excluding Sundays.
For all Auburn baseball gameday information, click here.