Auburn Hosts Mississippi in Key SEC Showdown

AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — Auburn will host Mississippi on Friday night in a pivotal Southeastern Conference series, with the Tigers (42-20) looking to solidify their postseason seeding against the Rebels (39-21). First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Plainsman Park, with Auburn installed as a -1.5 run-line favorite.

The Tigers enter the weekend on a hot streak, winning four of their last five, including an 8-3 victory on Monday over Milwaukee that extended their series victory. Right-handed pitcher Jackson Sanders has been electric out of the Auburn bullpen and is the key arm to watch. Sanders (3-1, 2.84 ERA) has been virtually untouchable over his last three appearances, spanning 10 1/3 innings, with 15 strikeouts and just two earned runs allowed. In Monday’s win, he threw 5.0 innings of three-hit ball, striking out eight. Prior to that, he worked 2.1 scoreless innings at North Carolina State on May 30 and fired 3.0 shutout innings against LSU on May 20.

Auburn’s offense is also clicking. Catcher Chase Fralick went 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in Monday’s win, while the Tigers have averaged 8.5 runs over their last four games.

Mississippi, winners of three of its last four, counters with a powerful bullpen of its own, headlined by right-hander Wil Libbert. The Rebels’ reliever has not allowed an earned run over his last 11 2/3 innings, a span of four appearances. In his most recent outing, a 5-4, 10-inning win over Arizona State on May 31, Libbert struck out two over 3.0 hitless innings. He also earned the win against Tennessee-Martin on May 12, throwing 3.0 shutout innings with three hits and three strikeouts.

The Rebels took two of three from Arizona State last weekend, winning the series finale in extra innings. Cade Townsend started that game, allowing three runs over 5.0 innings, while JP Robertson closed with 2.0 scoreless innings.

Auburn won its most recent series at home, taking two of three from Milwaukee. The Tigers have not lost a weekend series since mid-May. Mississippi is seeking a road bounce-back after losing two of three at Alabama in mid-May.

The series opener is expected to feature a pair of dominant bullpens, making late-inning execution critical.