AUBURN, Ala. – Returning home for the first time in three weekends, Auburn (21-22, 3-18 SEC) hosts Ole Miss (23-21, 7-14 SEC) for three games at Plainsman Park this weekend. First pitches are set for Friday at 6 p.m. CT, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Up Next:
vs. Ole Miss
Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, 2024
TV: SEC Network+ (Fri) / SEC Network (Sat/Sun)
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
"This is our postseason," head coach Butch Thompson said. "We know we have to play way above average baseball and try to hook it up. This is our postseason because nothing is guaranteed. It's landed on us in the moment, and I don't think that's a problem or poor message to send to the team. These guys are aware. They know what they're playing for these last three weeks."
All three games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on Wings 94.3 FM. Friday's game will be streamed digitally on SEC Network+ and the final two games will air nationally on SEC Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – So. RHP Dylan Watts (0-2, 5.13) vs. Jr. RHP Riley Maddox (2-6, 6.42)
Saturday – Sr. LHP Tanner Bauman (2-2, 4.72) vs. So. LHP Liam Doyle (2-2, 5.90)
Sunday – Jr. LHP Carson Myers (2-3, 4.22) vs. Jr. RHP Mason Nichols (4-0, 3.14)
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn's last five SEC games have been decided by a combined 11 runs.
Four of the last five games and 10 games in league play have been one- or two-run contests.
The Tigers' league opponents have a combined 65-37 conference record, two games clear of Missouri for the best combined opponents' record in conference play.
Auburn's starting rotation of Dylan Watts, Tanner Bauman and Carson Myers have turned in a 3.95 ERA with 23 strikeouts and six walks in 27.1 innings the last two weekends.
The pitching staff turned in a 3.86 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 11 walks in four games last week.
The strikeout total was good for second in the league while the ERA was fourth.
The Tigers haven't committed an error in the last five-plus games and 43 innings in the field.
Cooper McMurray paces the team in all three major offensive categories - .329 AVG, 12 HR, 49 RBI.
Auburn trails the all-time series against Ole Miss, 92-97-1, but is 52-38 against the Rebels at home.
The Tigers have won five of the last six series against Ole Miss at Plainsman Park.
Auburn outscored the Rebels 37-11 in a three-game sweep in Oxford last season.
SCOUTING THE REBELS
Ole Miss enters the weekend with a 23-21 overall record and 7-14 mark in SEC play, including a 2-7 record on the road in league play.
Offensively, the Rebels rank 13th in the league with a .264 team average, led by Ethan Lege's .323. Andrew Fischer leads the way with 15 homers and 41 RBI.
On the mound, Ole Miss is 13th in the SEC with a 6.19 staff ERA and has struck out 416 batters with 193 walks in 371.0 innings of work.
PROMOTIONS
Saturday – Sandlot-inspired poster giveaway
Sunday – Junior trading card giveaway and postgame autograph session
COMMENCEMENT PARKING INFORMATION
With graduation occurring this weekend, baseball fans may park where they can find space in the coliseum lot, athletics complex lot and deck, along Biggio Drive and the stadium deck.
The Neville Arena Lot will be closed for graduation ceremonies. Additional parking is available in the South Quad Parking Deck on Duncan Drive and at the Ag Heritage Park.
Graduation times for Saturday, May 4 are 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The hour lead-in to the evening ceremonies from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. will likely be the heaviest in-bound traffic to campus. Baseball fans are encouraged to allow extra time for parking. Sunday graduation times are 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Heisman Drive will be blocked near Neville Arena. Fans looking to park in the coliseum lot will need to enter from Samford Avenue to Biggio Drive. To help alleviate traffic congestion, Donahue Drive will not be blocked pre- nor postgame for baseball pedestrian traffic. Fans are strongly urged to use the pedestrian crosswalk on Donahue Drive as they enter and exit Plainsman Park.
Additionally, the paved McWhorter lot will be closed for the weekend due to preparations for hosting SEC Softball Tournament.
The University commencement parking map can be referenced here.
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.
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.