After sweeping the Missouri Tigers last weekend and run-ruling the Samford Bulldogs on Wednesday night, the No. 19 Auburn Tigers (26-9, 4-2 SEC) are back in action at home in Jane B. Moore Field this weekend for a three-game contest with the Ole Miss Rebels (20-14, 1-5 SEC).
The Rebels come into this series after dropping two out of three games against the No. 10 LSU Tigers at home last weekend and picking up a 6-0 win over the Memphis Tigers at home on Tuesday night.
“Ole Miss is a well-disciplined team,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “They take care of the ball on defense. Our numbers are very similar when it comes to the pitching staffs, but both teams do it in different ways. They force a lot of ground balls and are one of the best teams in the country in turning double plays. It’s going to be another competitive series.”
Auburn has a commanding lead in the all-time series, holding a 46-21 advantage. The Tigers have also beaten the Rebels in nine out of the last 10 series the teams have played, dating back to 2008.
The Rebels are led on the mound by Aynslie Furbush, Brooke Vestal and Makenna Kliethermes. Furbush has a 1.46 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. Vestal has a 2.31 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched. Kliethermes has a 2.49 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched.
Ole Miss is led at the plate by Mikayla Allee, Jalia Lassiter and Mya Stevenson. Allee averages .352 at the plate with a .898 OPS, a .473 slugging percentage and 15 RBIs. Lassiter averages .310 at the plate with a .886 OPS, a .506 slugging percentage and 17 RBIs. Stevenson averages .306 at the plate with a 1.109 OPS, a .682 slugging percentage, 10 home runs and 26 RBIs.
First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
