AUBURN, Ala. – Hosting its third NCAA regional in the last four seasons for the first time in program history, Auburn earned the No. 4 national seed Monday and learned it will welcome NC State, Stetson and Central Connecticut State to the Plains this weekend.
Auburn’s No. 4 national seed ties the 2003 team for the highest postseason seeding in program history.
“A top four national seed is absolutely a big deal, but every road is a tough road,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. “Every team that’s made this field has done something amazing. Four teams stand in our way of a return trip to Omaha. It’s nice that it starts right here at Plainsman Park on Friday.”
The regional appearance is the Tigers’ 25th all-time, including the sixth under Thompson in the past eight postseasons. Auburn is 51-35 in regional play, including 11-4 under the 10th-year head coach.
The top-seed in the regional, Auburn will take on No. 4 seed Central Connecticut State Friday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+. Also included in the field are No. 2 seed NC State and No. 3 seed Stetson, which will play Friday at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
“I think we have a very well-rounded field here,” Thompson said. “We’ve had some good fields here. I know our fans are going to get treated to another amazing field of good regional teams here at Plainsman Park. I’m excited about what it’s going to feel like in this ballpark and these people being alongside this team as we start this postseason journey.”
The Auburn Regional is paired with the Conway Regional, which features No. 13 national seed Coastal Carolina, Florida, East Carolina and Fairfield. The regional winners will advance to next week’s super regional.
Auburn is one of seven programs to host a regional three of the last four seasons. The short list also includes Arkansas, Clemson, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Oregon State and
Tennessee.
“It’s huge for our program, three out of the last four years,” Ike Irish said. “We’re starting to build something really special. We have a tall task ahead of us, but we’re playing at home. We have to get off to a hot start. We have to pitch well. We have to hit well. If we get off to a hot start, we’ll be fine.”
“This ballpark deserves it. This fanbase deserves it. This program deserves it,” senior Cooper McMurray added. “Coach Thompson has done a fantastic job getting us prepared. We’re all super excited about it and looking forward to it. We’re getting focused and ready to go.”
Below is information the three teams traveling to Plainsman Park and tickets for the Auburn Regional.
OPPONENT INFORMATION
No. 2 seed NC State
Record: 33-19, 17-11 ACC
RPI: No. 34
All-time series: Auburn leads, 2-1
No. 3 seed Stetson
Record: 40-20, 24-6 ASUN
RPI: No. 63
All-time series: Auburn trials, 0-2
No. 4 seed Central Connecticut State
Record: 31-15, 23-7 NEC
RPI: No. 183
All-time series: Never met
TICKET INFORMATION
Currently all reserved tickets for the regional are sold out. General admission all-session tickets are on sale at AUBTIX.com and are $75. If general admission ticket inventory remains, single-session tickets will go on sale Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT.
Additional tickets may become available for purchase on gameday based on the participating teams' needs and stadium capacity. If participating teams return tickets, they would be made available for purchase on-line by mid-morning on gamedays. There is no guarantee teams will return tickets for sale.
Limited numbers of tickets may become available for purchase at the gates based on stadium capacity. If any tickets become available, they will be sold in person at Plainsman Park on a first come, first serve basis around first pitch.