AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — The Auburn Tigers, riding high after a dominant series win, will look to continue their strong season when they host the Alabama State Hornets in a midweek nonconference matchup Tuesday at Samford Stadium-Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT under clear skies with a game-time temperature near 81 degrees.

The Tigers (24-11) enter having won two of three against then-Kentucky, including an 11-0 run-rule victory Sunday. Auburn’s offense erupted for 27 runs in the series, but the pitching staff, led by starter Alex Petrovic, set the tone. Petrovic was brilliant in Sunday’s finale, tossing seven shutout innings with five hits and eight strikeouts. The right-hander has been a key arm for the Tigers, allowing just one earned run over 12 innings in his last two SEC starts.

Alabama State (18-16) arrives with momentum of its own, coming off a three-game road sweep of Alabama A&M where it outscored the Bulldogs 37-7. The Hornets’ bullpen was instrumental, particularly reliever James Peterson. In Sunday’s 15-6 win, Peterson delivered 5 1/3 hitless innings of relief, striking out five. Over his last eight appearances spanning 20 innings, the right-hander has allowed just seven earned runs while recording 15 strikeouts.

At the plate, the Hornets are powered by the hot bats of Miguel Oropeza and Devin Chandler, who each homered and drove in three runs in the series finale at Alabama A&M.

Auburn holds a significant edge in the all-time series, leading 31-4-1. The Tigers won the most recent meeting 12-2 in seven innings last season.

Despite Auburn’s superior record and home-field advantage, Interstat’s game simulator projects a close contest, favoring Alabama State in a 6-4 upset.

Following this game, Auburn will travel to face Florida in a crucial Southeastern Conference series beginning Thursday. Alabama State continues its road swing with a Southwestern Athletic Conference series at Jackson State starting Friday.