AUBURN, Ala. – No. 18 Auburn (11-2) hosts the University of Texas at San Antonio (7-6) for a three-game series in its final weekend of non-conference play at Plainsman Park.
Game one between the Tigers and Roadrunners is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. CT. Game two is slated for Saturday at 2:00 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+. 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 (2-0, 0.92) vs. Sr. RHP Karan Patal (0-2, 2.70)
Saturday -- So. LHP Jack Owen (2-0, 0.00) vs. Jr. RHP Slater Foust (2-0, 0.92)
Sunday -- TBA vs. TBA
QUICK HITTERS
Auburn is 51-14 in non-conference play, including 28-6 against non-conference foes on the weekend, since the start of the 2017 season.
The Tigers are 9-1 at Plainsman Park this season and 38-7 at home since the start of 2018.
Auburn's six-game winning streak is its longest of the season and longest since also winning six straight games from Apr. 15-24 last year.
The Tigers started the 2018 season 15-0. Off to an 11-2 start this season, it marks the first time the program has started back-to-back seasons 11-2 or better since 2000-01 (14-2; 16-2).
The team's sweep of Cincinnati marked the fourth sweep of a non-conference foe in the last seven series. Auburn is 18-3 overall in those last seven non-conference series.
Auburn's starting pitchers struck out 29 batters and didn't issue a walk last weekend. As a staff, the team's 37 strikeouts were the most in a three-game series since 1997 and the two walks allowed were the fewest in a three-game series since 1995.
Auburn has turned in three shutouts in the last five games for the first time since 2017.
SCOUTING THE ROADRUNNERS
Head coach Jason Marshall is in his seventh season at UTSA with a career record of 188-168.
The Roadrunners come in at 7-6 after dropping two of three in a weekend series against Bradley and losing a midweek contest against Texas State on Tuesday.
UTSA is 1-0 against ranked opponents so far this season. The Roadrunners defeated No. 19 Texas, 10-7, in Austin on Feb. 27.
Sophomore outfielder Dylan Rock leads the club in batting average (.386), slugging percentage (.545), RBI (12), hits (17), doubles (five), walks (nine) and total bases (19).
USTA ranks third in the country with 34 doubles entering the weekend.
Saturday starter Slater Foust has surrendered just two earned runs over 19.2 innings while holding opponents to a .182 average. Collectively, UTSA has a 4.08 ERA.
SERIES HISTORY
The three-game series marks the first meeting between Auburn and UTSA.
FYI
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Fans are encouraged to bring tornado relief supplies to campus this weekend. Donations will be accepted on Friday, March 8 from 4-7 p.m. CT and Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Gate 14 on the west side of Jordan-Hare Stadium and the McWhorter Parking Lot on the intersection of Samford Avenue and Biggio Drive.
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 men's basketball starting at 8 a.m. CT Saturday.
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.