AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn softball (23-13, 2-7 SEC) hits the road for a tough conference test at No. 6 Arkansas (30-5, 5-4 SEC) as the two teams prepare for a three-game series at Bogle Park this weekend.
The series begins Saturday at 4 p.m. CT. Sunday’s game is set for 3 p.m. CT while Monday’s finale is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
“Arkansas is a well-coached team in an established culture,” said co-head coach Kate Malveaux. “It’s a cool and rowdy environment. Arkansas has some veteran status that brings not only physical production but also emotional leadership. They do have some youth in the lineup, and they are producing. They know what kind of game they want to play, and they are going to come at you with it. It’s going to be a fun series.”
Sunday and Monday’s contests will air on SEC Network with Roy Philpott and Erin Miller on the call. Saturday’s game will be available on SEC Network+.
JJ Jackson will have radio coverage for all three games on WEGL 91.1. Fans can also listen via the Auburn Tigers website and mobile app or stream the booth cam on the Auburn Softball Facebook page.
After picking up a series win over Kentucky in SEC action, Auburn is looking to bounce back after being swept in back-to-back conference series by Oklahoma and Missouri. Arkansas enters the weekend with SEC series wins against Georgia and Florida. Its lone conference series loss came at Alabama.
Slugging has been a major part of Auburn’s success this season with 46 percent of its hits going for extra bases. The Tigers have hit 50 home runs as a team, already ranking 10th-most in a single season on the Plains. Senior McKaela Walker and junior Ma’Nia Womack lead the team with 10 home runs apiece.
Consistency has been key to junior Alyssa Hastings’ success this season. Hastings has been held hitless in just 11 of Auburn’s 36 games and leads the team in batting average both overall (.424) and in SEC play (.375). Hastings also leads the team in conference play in hits (12), RBI (5) and slugging percentage (.656) and is tied for the team lead in doubles (3) and home runs (2).
Junior Ella Harrison leads Auburn’s pitching staff with a 3.77 ERA and 10 wins. She ranks sixth in the SEC with 107 strikeouts and is averaging 7.3 strikeouts per seven innings.
Arkansas is one of the most complete teams in the league, featuring both an explosive offense and a deep pitching staff. Brinli Bain and Tianna Bell lead the Razorbacks at the plate. The duo is hitting above .420 this season. Bell has added a team-leading 45 hits and is tied for the team lead with 41 RBI. Three Razorbacks have recorded double-digit home runs this season.
The Razorbacks’ pitching staff has featured seven different arms in the circle this season. Robyn Herron leads the group with a 1.73 ERA and a 10-2 record, striking out 98 batters in 56.2 innings of work.
Auburn is searching for its first series win in Fayetteville since 2016.