AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn baseball returns to Plainsman Park Friday following the shutout down of the 2020 season and a 344-day hiatus. The No. 17 Tigers are set to open the 2021 season with a three-game series against Presbyterian.
"Is this really happening? We're really playing a game tomorrow?," head coach Butch Thompson asked the media to open his Zoom session Thursday afternoon. "This is amazing. To get to this point, to start feeling those feelings that you get when you head into a real game. We're excited to get back after it."
First pitch Friday is set for 4 p.m. CT. Saturday's game will begin at 2 p.m. and the series final Sunday will start at 1 p.m.
All three contests can not only be heard on the Auburn Sports Network, but will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and Watch ESPN.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday – Sr. RHP Cody Greenhill (0-0, 0.00) vs. Sr. RHP Eric Miles (0-0, 0.00)
Saturday – Jr. RHP Richard Fitts (0-0, 0.00) vs. Fr. LHP Charlie McDaniel (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday – So. RHP Mason Barnett (0-0, 0.00) vs. Fr. RHP Duncan Howard (0-0, 0.00)
QUICK HITTERS
The 2021 season marks Auburn's 125th season of baseball, including its 72nd at Plainsman Park.
Head coach Butch Thompson begins his sixth season at the helm of the program in 2021. He needs 14 wins to become the third winningest coach in program history.
Auburn is 89-33-2 all-time in season openers and has won 10 straight dating back to 2011.
The Tigers are 52-15 (.776) against non-conference opponents in the regular season since the start of the 2018 season, including 31-6 (.838) on the weekend.
Senior right-hander Cody Greenhill is set to make his first career start Friday night. Greenhill has made 53 career relief appearances and ranks sixth in program history in saves (19).
This series marks the third all-time between Auburn and Presbyterian. The Tigers took two of three games from the Blue Hose in 2014 and 2017 a won a midweek matchup in 2012.
SCOUTING THE BLUE HOSE
Presbyterian is led by head coach Elton Pollock, who enters his 17th season at the helm of the program in 2021.
The Blue Hose return and are led by leading hitter Zacchaeus Rasberry and Friday night starter Eric Miles, who both elected to come back for a fifth year of eligibility following the shortened 2020 season.
Rasberry led the team in average (.313), doubles (six) and stolen bases (seven), while Miles started all four Friday night contests and went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA.
FYI
Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
In accordance with current state health COVID-19 guidelines, Plainsman Park capacity will be reduced to approximately 20 percent to begin the 2021 Auburn baseball season.
Seats will be arranged in pods of two and four with proper social distancing between each available seating group. Available and unavailable seats will be marked accordingly.
Plainsman Patio and Tiger Terrace will be unavailable to begin the season. In addition, alternative viewing spaces outside the park, including the stadium parking deck, will not be available for the 2021 season.
Face coverings (over the nose and mouth) will be required for all spectators and gameday workers upon entry and while inside Plainsman Park. Guests may remove face coverings while actively eating or drinking.
All transactions for concessions and merchandise locations at Plainsman Park will be contactless and cashless (credit/debit and Tiger Cards only).
Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures throughout the park prior to and during all games will be in effect for the 2021 season.
For all information regarding attendance and health and safety procedures throughout the 2021 season, please visit the Auburn baseball gameday page.
Baseball is back: No. 17 Auburn opens 2021 season vs. Presbyterian
