AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn (19-17, 2-13 SEC) starts the second half of Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series at Mississippi State (23-14, 7-8 SEC) this weekend in Starkville, Mississippi.
Up Next:
at Mississippi State
Friday-Sunday, Apr. 18-20, 2024
TV: SEC Network+/SEC Network
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
First pitches from Dudy Noble Field are set for Friday at 6 p.m. CT, Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
"We're all we've got, especially when we go on the road," head coach Butch Thompson said. "Everybody has a job to do. I'm thankful that we have a whole second half to see some of these adjustments and see us getting back to playing good baseball. It's been a tough run against great teams. We've learned a lot and have had challenges along the way, but a good spirit, staying together and making some adjustments will allow us to get back and have a chance to get the result that we want."
The games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on Wings 94.3 FM. Friday and Sunday will be streamed digitally on SEC Network+, and Saturday will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – So. RHP Dylan Watts (0-0, 5.94) vs. Jr. RHP Khal Stephen (5-2, 2.84)
Saturday – Sr. LHP Tanner Bauman (2-1, 5.21) vs. So. BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (5-1, 3.80)
Sunday – Jr. LHP Carson Myers (2-3, 4.13) vs. TBA
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn's first five SEC series came against the top five teams in the league standings, all ranked No. 8 in the country or higher at the time of competition.
The five opponents are the top five in the league in ERA, and Mississippi State is No. 6.
The team's first five foes are a combined 48-15 in league play, the best combined record by opponents by five games.
Nine of the team's 15 league games have been decided by four runs or fewer.
The Tigers started four true freshmen vs. Georgia Tech Tuesday, the most in a game since May 17, 2018 at LSU - Steven Williams (RF), Edouard Julien (DH), Judd Ward (LF), Tanner Burns (SP).
All nine members of the lineup recorded a hit and scored a run for the first time this season.
The team's 14 hits were the third most in a game this season.
The Tigers are one of three teams in the country with 60 home runs and 60 stolen bases.
Auburn is 96-116-1 all-time against Mississippi State, including 36-61 in Starkville.
The Tigers are looking for their first series win at Dudy Noble Field since 2017.
In the series finale between the two teams a year ago, Auburn had a 12-11 walk-off win against Mississippi State to spark a league-best 12-3 record in the second half of SEC play.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Mississippi State enters the weekend with a 24-13 overall record, including a 7-8 mark in league play while winning both of their home SEC series.
Offensively, the Bulldogs are hitting .282 overall and .261 in league play. Dakota Jordan leads the team in nearly every offensive category including runs (39), hits (52,) home runs (15) and RBI (51).
On the mound, Mississippi State is sixth in the league and 26th in the country with a 4.35 staff ERA. The team ranks fifth in the league with 381 strikeouts in 326.2 innings pitched.