AUBURN, Ala. – With a BYE weekend in Southeastern Conference play looming, Auburn softball (19-10) turns its attention to a pair of midweek matchups against in-state foes South Alabama (19-11) and Jacksonville State (20-8).
“It’s a very quick turnaround,” said co-head coach Kate Malveaux. “There’s not a lot of time to make major adjustments. It’s focusing on rest and recovery and minor tweaks to get going again. We’re playing two teams that want to take it to us as in-state opponents. At the end of the day, we still have to play our game regardless of the opponent. If we do that, the highs don’t get too high and the lows don’t get too low. The mentality is to go out and play our style of ball, no matter the circumstance, the situation or the pitch number. That’s the ultimate goal.”
Auburn opens action Tuesday at Jaguar Field in Mobile. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT. The contest will air on ESPN+. JJ Jackson will have radio coverage on WEGL 91.1.
The Tigers return to Jane B. Moore Field on Wednesday, hosting Jacksonville State for Fan Appreciation Night. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT. Fans will receive a free shoe koozie while supplies last. It’s Diamond Deals Day at the park as fans can enjoy $2.50 hot dogs and $5 domestic brews.
Diamond Deal Days return to Jane B. Moore Field 🌭🍺
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) March 16, 2026
🥎 vs. Jacksonville State
🗓️ March 18
⌚ 6 p.m.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/anWCcoQXjH
Lyn Rollins and JJ Jackson will provide the call for Wednesday’s SEC Network+ broadcast. Brit Bowen and Frank Melkonian will have radio coverage on WEGL 91.1.
Fans can also listen to the radio call for both games on the Auburn Tigers website and mobile app or stream the booth cam on the Auburn Softball Facebook page.
This week marks a stretch of four straight midweeks for the Tigers, three of which are against in-state foes. Auburn is 9-2 against in-state foes under Chris and Kate Malveaux.
Auburn is looking to return to the win column after a tough SEC road series at No. 6 Oklahoma. The Tigers dropped three games but battled at the plate with seven total home runs across the series.
The Tigers enter their midweek slate with 45 total home runs, which rank fourth in the SEC and 10th nationally. Senior McKaela Walker and junior Ma’Nia Womack pace the team with nine each. The duo is tied for 15th in the SEC. Auburn has been held without a home run only eight times this season and is currently just 12 home runs behind the 2015 team’s 29-game total. The 2025 squad holds the program’s season record with 99.
Though her reached-base streak came to an end, sophomore Kylie Shaw has reached successfully in 28 of Auburn’s 29 games. She has also recorded at least one hit in 22 games this season. Shaw leads the team in hits (34), runs scored (32), walks (30) and on-base percentage (.583). Shaw leads the league with 30 walks and ranks eighth in the league in on-base percentage.
Junior SJ Geurin and sophomore Ella Harrison anchor the Tiger pitching staff. The duo has combined for 12 of Auburn’s 19 wins. Harrison ranks ninth in the league with eight victories. Harrison also leads the team with 82 strikeouts, ranking seventh in the SEC.
South Alabama relies on contact hitting and speed throughout its lineup. Virginia Mambelli leads the club at the plate with a .392 batting average, and her .686 slugging percentage is 10th in the Sun Belt. Gracie Dees (.326) has a team-best 14 extra-base hits, including 10 doubles. Pitching is another strength for the program as South Alabama leads the Sun Belt with eight shutouts. In her three outings last week, Sydney Scapin held opponents to a 0.70 earned run average and a .118 batting average.
Auburn holds an 8-2 advantage in the series, taking wins in the 2025 home-and-home series with South Alabama. The last three games in the series have been decided by one run.
Jacksonville State combines a productive lineup with experienced pitching and solid defense. Six Gamecocks hold a .300 or better average with Morgan Nowakowski leading the group with a .384. The Gamecock pitching staff is balanced, splitting innings evenly across three arms. Jaliyah Holmes leads the group with a 2.79 ERA and a 7-3 record.
Auburn is looking for its sixth straight victory in the series and holds a 13-0 record versus Jacksonville State on the Plains. The Gamecocks are making their first trip to Auburn since 2023.
For fans traveling to Jane B. Moore Field, Auburn University will begin construction on Wire Road in March to install a sidewalk from Lem Morrison Drive to Samford Avenue. Once construction begins, northbound Wire Road will be reduced to one lane. See map below for more details.