AUBURN, Ala. – No. 20 Auburn softball (11-0) makes the short trek to Madison, Alabama, this weekend to take part in the inaugural Rocket City Showcase at Toyota Field, home to Minor League Baseball’s Rocket City Trash Pandas.
“This tournament is a great thing for the state of Alabama,” said co-head coach Kate Malveaux. “It’s also great for us recruiting-wise. It gives us an opportunity to reach different people in different spaces in-state. We’re able to play in the Trash Pandas’ stadium. That’s a really cool environment.”
Freezing temperatures and wintry mix in the Huntsville-Madison area have already altered Auburn’s schedule for the weekend.
softball weather 🤷🏻♀️🤪 https://t.co/9OpJP9eZ63
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) February 19, 2025
The Tigers open competition Friday with Louisianan Tech (5-5) at 2 p.m. CT. It will be an in-state battle of the unbeatens on Saturday as Auburn takes on North Alabama (9-0) at 10 a.m. CT. Saturday’s doubleheader concludes at 12:30 p.m. CT with Miami (Ohio) (3-7).
Sunday’s finale will also feature an in-state meeting as Auburn battles Jacksonville State (2-7) at 3 p.m. CT.
“We’re excited,” Malveaux added. “We’ve got a good lineup of teams that we’re scheduled to play. A few of these teams have made postseason and have been successful over a number of seasons. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
All four games are available on FloSports, which does require a paid subscription to stream. JJ Jackson and Rett Krome will have radio coverage live from Toyota Field for all four games on WEGL 91.1 FM and the Auburn Sports Network.
Off to the program’s best start since 2018, the Tigers are coming off an unprecedented weekend in Clearwater, becoming the first program since Florida State (2019) to go 6-0 at the elite Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational. The performance was highlighted by a 2-1 upset victory over No. 9 Oklahoma State and saw the Tigers return to the polls with top-20 rankings by all four major outlets.
🗣️ WE'RE BACK ‼️
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) February 18, 2025
did you miss us? 😎#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/DTIp9flyyC
The Malveaux effect continues to see offensive growth up and down the Tiger lineup. Seniors Rose Roach and Abbey Smith both slugged the first home runs of their careers down in Clearwater. Auburn has totaled 19 home runs through 11 games, already matching 45 percent of its 2024 team home run total. The Tigers have also scored 10 or more in three games this season. Auburn did that only twice a season ago.
Icess Tresvik leads the Tiger offense and is one of the hottest hitters in the SEC heading into the third weekend of the season. Tresvik ranks third in the league in home runs (6) and runs scored (16), fourth in slugging percentage (1.059), sixth in hits (16) and seventh in RBI (16).
Close behind is Anna Wohlers, who ranks third in the league in triples (2), eighth in doubles (4) and ninth in slugging percentage (.893). She enters the weekend on an active 19-game reached base streak, which dates back to last season.
With her dominating performance in Clearwater, SJ Geurin received national attention, being named D1 Softball’s National Pitcher of the Week and one of Softball America’s Stars of Week Two. Geurin went 4-0 with two saves and a 0.64 ERA last weekend in Florida.
Put the country on notice, @sjg__85 💪
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) February 18, 2025
📰: https://t.co/dZgyf90DwJ#WarEagle | @D1Softball pic.twitter.com/tcUERigFxC
Geurin is just one of four pitchers this season with six wins to their credit. She leads the SEC in innings pitched (38.2), appearances (9), saves (2) and wins. She also ranks seventh in the league in shutouts (1).
“We need the Auburn Family out there,” Malveaux said. “Their support is electric. It feels different when we have them with us. We’d love for them to show up and show out right out the gates on Friday.”