April 27, 2017 No. 9 Auburn vs. Mississippi State
(40-8, 12-6 SEC) vs. (34-15, 8-10 SEC)
Schedule
| Fri, Apr 28 | 6 p.m. | |
| Sat, Apr 29 | 6 p.m. | |
| Sun, Apr 30 | 1 p.m. | |
AUBURN, Ala. -- The No. 9 Auburn softball team closes out its annual home slate with a three-game series against Mississippi State, Friday-Sunday. First pitch times are set for 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Jane B. Moore Field.
All three contests are available to be streamed on the SEC Network+ with Brit Bowen and Anna Gibbs on the call. Brad Law will describe the action from the radio booth on 95.9 FM and the official Auburn app.
Auburn recently took down in-state foe Alabama State Wednesday night, 14-1. The Tigers tallied 12 hits, including seven from freshmen, in the run-rule game. KK Crocker, Carmyn Greenwood and Alyssa Rivera paced the offense with two hits apiece. The trio combined for five runs and three RBI on the night.
Kasey Cooper had a team-high four RBI and drilled her 65th career home run. Victoria Draper tied for the game-high with three runs scored.
Ashlee Swindle earned her second consecutive win in her second career start in the circle. The rookie went four innings and allowed just one run. Jenna Abbott worked the final two innings and struck out one.
The Tigers lead the nation in double plays with 39 and average 0.81 per game, including three against the Lady Hornets Wednesday evening. The next closest teams are Campbell and UT Arlington, who each have 30 and 28, respectively. Auburn has turned multiple double plays in seven games.
The Tigers have won 40 games for the seventh time in program history, including all four seasons under head coach Clint Myers.
As a team, Auburn leads the SEC in walks (233) and runners picked off (two) and ranks in the top three in triples (13), walks allowed (79) and home runs allowed (13).
Following their final regular season home games, the Tigers close out the SEC slate at Alabama for a three-game set, May 5-7.
Promotions
Friday --Trading card giveaway -- set No. 3 -- for the first 300 fans.
Saturday -- Fan Appreciation Day. Many shirts and prizes given away throughout the duration of the game.
Sunday -- Senior Day. Bighead Cartoons Caricature Artist.
All weekend -- Celebrate National Hearing and Speech Month. Strike Out Hunger/Support Our Troops. Bring a food donation to any home game and receive a $1 beverage coupon toward the concession stands for that game only.
Player to Watch: Kasey Cooper
Senior third baseman Kasey Cooper has found her groove in her last 10 games. The Dothan, Ala. native has produced a .310/.417/.655 slash line, including seven games against SEC competition. Cooper has belted five extra-base hits and paced the team with nine RBI. In 2017, Cooper has reached base in 15 of her 33 opportunities when leading off an inning.
Inside the Series: Mississippi State
The Tigers and Bulldogs have faced each other 50 times with Mississippi State holding a slim 32-28 advantage in the series. Since head coach Clint Myers took over in 2014, Auburn has won four of six duels, including series wins in both Auburn and Starkville. The Bulldogs took 11 of the first 14 meetings, but the Tigers have won eight of the last 11.
Career Versus the Bulldogs
Kaylee Carlson has tossed 12 2/3 innings against Mississippi State in her career and has been electric. The junior has struck out 15 and allowed only five hits, holding the Bulldogs to a .116 battling clip.
Offensively, four players have tallied multiple hits against Mississippi State, led by Kasey Cooper's seven. In six games against the league foe, Cooper has scored seven runs and notched four RBI.
An Auburn Series Win Would...
A series win by Auburn would give the Tigers their sixth consecutive series victory against Mississippi State. Auburn has taken two of three in every series, dating back to 2011.
Last 10
In the last 10 games, Auburn has outscored the opposition 42-22, including two shutouts. The Tigers have notched 21 extra-base hits, including 13 doubles, three triples and five home runs. Kasey Cooper and Carlee Wallace pace the club with five apiece.
In the circle, Kaylee Carlson has tossed three wins with a 1.53 ERA and five complete games. Ashlee Swindle has added two wins.