AUBURN, Ala. – No. 17 Auburn (15-2) begins Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series against No. 21 Tennessee (17-1) at Plainsman Park this weekend.
Game one between the Tigers and Volunteers is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT. Game two is slated for Saturday at 6 p.m., and the series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.
The series opener and series finale are available for streaming on SEC Network+, and game two will be broadcast on national TV on SEC Network. All three games can also be heard locally on WTGZ-FM (93.9) or WQSI-FM (95.9), online at AuburnTigers.com, or on a mobile device via the Auburn Athletics app.
Probable Starters
Friday -- So. RHP Tanner Burns (3-0, 0.68) vs. Jr. RHP Garrett Stallings (4-0, 1.63)
Saturday -- So. LHP Jack Owen (3-0, 0.00) vs. Jr. RHP Zach Linginfelter (4-0, 0.75)
Sunday -- TBA vs. Sr. RHP Will Neely (2-1, 6.16)
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn is riding a 10-game winning streak, which is tied for the fifth longest streak in the country and tied for the program's fourth longest streak since 2000.
The Tigers have outscored their opponents 74-28 during its winning streak.
Auburn improved to 15-2 with Tuesday's win. It marks the first time in program history the team has started 15-2 or better in back-to-back seasons.
Auburn has won each of its last two SEC opening series and is 5-1 in the six games. The Tigers have won all three SEC openers under head coach Butch Thompson.
The Tigers rank in the top five in the country in walks allowed per nine innings (2.36), WHIP (1.00), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.26), shutouts (five) and ERA (2.14).
Auburn has struck out 179 batters through 17 games. It marks the second highest strikeout total through 17 games in the Stat Crew era (1993). The 1997 team struck out 213 batters through 17 games and went on to set the single-season record with 629 strikeouts.
The pitching staff has turned in 12 games with double digit strikeouts, including four of the last five games, and four games with 15 or more strikeouts. The four games with 15 or more strikeouts are tied for the second most in a season since 1993.
SCOUTING THE VOLUNTEERS
Tennessee got off to its best start in program history at 15-0 and enters the weekend with a 17-1 record.
The Volunteers are ranked in five of six major college baseball polls for the first time since 2014.
The pitching staff leads the country with six shutouts. Tennessee also ranks second in WHIP (0.93) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.74), fifth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.20) and sixth in ERA (2.19).
Offensively, the Volunteers are hitting .293 and are led by junior infielder Ricky Martinez's .400 clip. Sophomore outfielder Alerick Soularie leads the team with six home runs and junior Andre Lipcius leads the way with 22 RBI.
SERIES HISTORY
Auburn leads the all-time series 92-39 and is 48-19 at home.
The Tigers have won four straight series against the Volunteers and are 9-3 in the span.
Auburn has also won four straight series against Tennessee at Plainsman Park.
FYI
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Fans attending baseball are advised to park in the Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum lot, the Stadium Parking Deck off Heisman Drive, or the Athletics Complex Parking Deck. The Auburn Arena lot will be closed for gymnastics Friday night.
The Stadium Deck is also available for game viewing. If there is a conflict with a men's basketball game, fans can park on the bottom two levels of the Stadium Deck.
A cell phone charging station is available to fans near the front gate adjacent to the promotions booth.
Grass areas around the park and adjacent parking lots are open for tailgating.