Opening Weekend on The Plains: Malveaux era begins

Opening Weekend on the Plains and the dawn on the Malveaux era begins Friday as Auburn softball starts its 2025 season hosting Southern Illinois, North Carolina and Appalachian State for the Tiger Invitational at Jane B. Moore Field.

Opening Weekend on The Plains: Malveaux era beginsOpening Weekend on The Plains: Malveaux era begins
Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

AUBURN, Ala. – Opening Weekend on the Plains and the dawn on the Malveaux era begins Friday as Auburn softball starts its 2025 season hosting Southern Illinois, North Carolina and Appalachian State for the Tiger Invitational at Jane B. Moore Field. 

“There’s a lot of excited,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “We’re ready to face someone other than ourselves. We’ve scrimmaged a lot, so we’ve learned a lot about ourselves as a team. It’ll be a fun weekend, but there’s still some unknowns. We’re going to put ourselves in a strong mindset, take care of ourselves and compete on the field.” 

Chris and Kate Malveaux begin their tenure on the Plains on Friday as Auburn battles Southern Illinois at 3 p.m. CT. The Tigers conclude opening day with a 5:30 p.m. CT contest versus North Carolina. Fans will receive a free commemorative ticket marking the start of the Malveaux era while supplies last. 

Auburn continues action on Saturday morning with another twin billing. The Tigers will face Appalachian State at 10 a.m. CT before a rematch with the Salukis at 12:30 p.m. CT. 

Sunday’s tournament finale is set for 11:30 a.m. CT with Auburn squaring off with North Carolina. It’s National Pizza Day at Jane B. Moore Field with students receiving free pizza while supplies last. 

New to Jane B. Moore Field this season, metal detectors will be located at the gravel lot and at each side of the ticket booth at the main entrance. Please plan accordingly to allow time for security screening upon arrival.

Auburn’s Friday and Sunday slate with air on the SEC Network+. Graham Doty and Auburn softball alum Kim Owens will have the call on Friday. JJ Jackson and Auburn softball alum Shelby Lowe will be in the booth on Sunday.

All five games will be available on WEGL 91.1 FM and the Auburn Sports Network. Brit Bowen, Riley Kelton, Brant Daughtry, Jacob Hillman and Joe Zagielski will split radio coverage over the weekend.

“In the seven months the new staff has been here, it’s been insane to see the swing development and pitching development,” said outfielder KK McCrary. “I’ve hit off our pitchers for years in a row, and they look like brand new pitchers. It’s definitely a different feel. I’m excited to see it all pay off this weekend.” 

Auburn holds a 22-5-1 record in its season-opening contests, winning nine of its last 11 contests. Auburn hosted the Tiger Invitational to also open the 2024 season, but the rain shortened weekend saw the Tigers end with a 1-1-1 record. 

Returning almost all its offense from the 2024 campaign, the Tigers are led by nine seniors, including the likes of utility Icess Tresvik, shortstop Nelia Peralta, catcher/infielder Anna Wohlers, infielder Rose Roach, infielder Amelia Lech and infielder Rose Roach

Wohlers and McCrary led the offense last season and combined for 58 runs scored, 17 home runs and 43 RBI. The Tigers also return the top two RBI producers from a season ago in Lech (34) and Peralta (27).

With the graduation of two-time All-American Maddie Penta, Auburn’s pitching staff will have a new look. Auburn returns Malayna Tamborra and Emmah Rofe. The pair combined for 28.2 innings of work a season ago. The Malveauxs also dipped into the transfer portal with two pitching additions in two-time national champion SJ Geurin (Oklahoma) and 2024 Big West Pitcher of the Year Haley Rainey (Cal State Fullerton). 

Auburn also added three additional transfers in utility Ma’Nia Womack (Ole Miss), infielder/catcher Kylie Brockman (Arkansas) and outfielder Georgia Lessmann (Iowa). 

Rounding out the roster are three true freshmen right-hander pitcher Blayne Godfrey, outfielder Jolie Adams and utility AnnaLea Adams

“I’m just excited to see the growth of the team,” Wohlers added. “We have a tough schedule ahead of us. I’m just ready to have the fans in the stands to support us and see this new era come to life.”

The Malveaux Era (1)