AUBURN, Ala. – It’s rivalry weekend on the Plains as Auburn softball (23-16, 2-10 SEC) returns to Jane B. Moore Field to host No. 1 Alabama (36-3, 9-3 SEC) for a three-game series.
“This weekend is going to bring a lot of intensity and energy,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “It’s not going to be an easy task. Alabama is firing on all cylinders. It would be great to play well and take a game or two from them, and we’ve got to keep that perspective going into the weekend. We have to bring our most competitive mindset, but I want our team to enjoy the environment as well with our fans behind us. It’s going to be an awesome experience.”
Co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux will lead the Tigers into their first regular-season meeting against Alabama. The two teams met last season in Athens, Georgia, at the 2025 SEC Tournament. The Malveauxs are 12-2 all-time against in-state foes.
“We’ve played against Alabama outside the rivalry,” Malveaux added. “We know the kind of energy they like to bring. They’re going to be a team to be reckoned with. It will be a great environment. We’re looking forward to coming out and competing.”
Friday’s contest will air on SEC Network+ with Graham Doty and Auburn softball alumna Shelby Lowe on the call. Fans are encouraged to wear navy, and shakers will be available while supplies last. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Saturday features a national broadcast on SEC Network at 12 p.m. CT. Eric Frede and Erin Miller will have the call. Saturday is the SEC’s annual “All for Alex” game as all 15 teams in the league will wear teal uniforms or teal accessories to promote ovarian cancer awareness in honor of the late Alex Wilcox. Wilcox was a member of the 2018 Mississippi State softball team and inspired the softball community with her courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Sunday is Alumni Day at Jane B. Moore Field as the Tigers welcome back members of the 2016 Women’s College World Series team in a pregame ceremony. Fans are encouraged to wear orange, and orange shirts will be given away while supplies last.
The finale will air on SEC Network+ at 1 p.m. CT. Lyn Rollins and Auburn softball alumna Kim Owens will have the call.
As if the Iron Bowl of Softball wasn't enough...
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) April 7, 2026
We've got a few things on the weekend slate 👀#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/dYa1txRsot
Brit Bowen 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. Bowen will be joined by Carson Meier (Friday), Gehrig Gesch (Saturday) and Rett Krome (Sunday).
After picking up a series win over Kentucky to open SEC action, Auburn is looking to bounce back after being swept in three straight conference series by No. 6 Oklahoma, Missouri and No. 9 Arkansas.
Alabama has earned a series win in all four of its previous conference weekends, taking down Ole Miss, Arkansas and Missouri while winning two games against then-No. 1 Texas last weekend.
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 12 of Auburn’s 39 games and leads the team in batting average both overall (.424) and in SEC play (.385). She also leads the team in conference play in hits (15), RBI (5) and slugging percentage (.615), and is tied for the team lead in doubles (3) and home runs (2).
Junior Ella Harrison leads Auburn’s pitching staff with a 3.89 ERA and 10 wins. She ranks seventh in the SEC with 111 strikeouts and is averaging 7.2 strikeouts per seven innings.
Alexis Pupillo and Brooke Wells provide a lot of production at the top of Alabama’s lineup. The duo has combined for 65 runs scored, 96 hits, 28 home runs and 87 RBI. Pupillo’s .455 average is the fifth highest in the SEC, while Wells ranks fifth in the league and 15th nationally with 16 home runs.
Alabama ranks fifth nationally with a 1.74 team ERA. Jocelyn Briski and Vic Moten lead the team with 14 wins apiece. Briski holds a 1.75 ERA and ranks fifth in the conference with 118 strikeouts, while Moten is just behind with 116.
Auburn has won back-to-back series over the Crimson Tide, and a third straight series win against its rival would be the longest consecutive streak in program history
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.