AUBURN, Ala. – Returning to Plainsman Park for its first home series in three weeks, No. 14 Auburn (20-9, 4-5 SEC) is set to square off with archrival No. 8 Alabama (26-4, 6-3 SEC) Friday through Sunday.
First pitches at Plainsman Park are scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
“I think we’re in a great spot,” head coach Butch Thompson said. “We have two weekends at home starting with Alabama. Every team gives us an opportunity with us still having above a .500 record versus top-25 teams in the country. That’s all we’re going to get moving forward. We have to embrace that. We have to understand that.
“We’re at that part of the season where we need players to play at this point,” Thompson added. “That’s what’s amazing about this league, how you’re matched athletically and everything is close. We have a nice, competitive ballclub. I’m trying to show them some frustration because these guys want to develop and grow, but I still think there’s more to bring out of them., so I’m going to keep clicking at their heels until we get there. I think we’re at a good, exciting mental space to get to play a huge series against our rival this weekend.”
The games will be broadcast on the Auburn Sports Network and can be heard locally on Wings 94.3 FM Friday and Sunday and ESPN 106.7 FM Saturday. Friday and Sunday’s contests will be streamed digitally on SEC Network+ and Saturday’s game will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Sr. RHP Samuel Dutton (3-2, 3.16) vs. So. LHP Zane Adams (4-0, 3.67)
Saturday – Jr. LHP Cade Fisher (0-0, 4.15) vs. R-So. RHP Riley Quick (4-1, 3.22)
Sunday – TBA vs. R-Sr. RHP Bobby Alcock (3-1, 4.76)
QUICK HITTERS
This weekend starts a stretch of nine of the next 12 SEC games being played at Plainsman Park.
Auburn hasn’t lost back-to-back home games in 21 contests dating back to last season.
Eight of Auburn’s first nine SEC games have been decided by four runs or fewer, including four that have been decided by one or two runs.
Ike Irish ranks top 10 in the SEC in home runs (four) and total bases (26) in league games despite missing one of the first three weekends.
Carson Myers hasn’t allowed a run and has 17 strikeouts and one walk in four appearances and 9.0 innings pitched in conference games.
This weekend marks Auburn’s fourth straight series against a ranked opponent in a stretch of six straight weeks to start SEC play, including the second of four straight weeks vs. a top-10 foe.
The Tigers are 6-5 against ranked opponents this season, including 3-1 at home.
Auburn trails the all-time series vs. Alabama 142-168 but is 65-57 vs. the Crimson Tide at home.
The home team has won the last five series in the rivalry dating back to 2019.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama enters the weekend with a 26-4 overall record and 6-3 mark in SEC play. The Crimson Tide won their first SEC road weekend by sweeping Texas A&M in College Station and have played at home back-to-back weeks.
Offensively, Alabama is hitting .306 with 268 runs scored on 310 hits through 30 games, and six players are hitting .310 or higher. Sophomore shortstop Justin Lebron leads the country with 53 RBI and is third in the league and fifth in the country with 13 home runs.
On the mound, the Crimson Tide have turned in a 4.14 staff ERA with 282 strikeouts and 117 walks in 263.0 innings pitched. They are holding opponents to a .228 average against and have allowed 23 home runs.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Plainsman Park now features two new premium club areas in the Broadway Club at Plainsman Park and 984 Club along with the return of the Hall of Fame Club, which opened in 2024. Additionally, the ballpark now has expanded general admission areas in the War Eagle Wall, Tiger Terrance and Plainsman Patio.
Pregame road closures: Event staff will assist fans using crosswalks up until 15 minutes prior to first pitch, at which time there will be a full closure of Donahue Drive between the right field gate and intersection of Heisman Drive for fans to enter Plainsman Park. Donahue will re-open shortly after first pitch.
Postgame egress road closures: Donahue Drive will again be fully closed from right field to Heisman Drive starting between the 7th and 8th innings. It will remain closed until the stadium has cleared of fans, roughly 30 minutes after the final out of the game.
New entrances: In an effort to expedite fan entry to Plainsman Park, two new entrances have now been introduced on the lower First Base Concourse, along Donahue Drive. The traditional Home Plate Concourse and Tiger Terrace gates will continue to provide stadium admission, as well as the premium entrance outside of the Hall of Fame Club for those with reserved seats inside the Hall of Fame Club.
Metal detecting: Consistent with other Auburn Athletics venues, fans entering any gate at Plainsman Park this season will be asked to walk through a metal detector upon entry.
For a complete overview of gamedays at Plainsman Park for 2025, click here.