/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46374806/10977899.0.0.jpeg)
For the first time in Auburn history, the Tigers Softball team will be hosting a Super Regional series at Jane B Moore Field. The Tigers will take on the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. It is a best of 3 series, so Saturday's afternoon game may not be necessary. A win on Friday would be huge for Auburn, who has only lost consecutive games one time this season.
ULL won the Sun Belt regular season conference title with a 20-3 conference record, 42-10 overall. They, like Auburn, hit the ball very well and score a lot of runs. According to Auburn stats guru Scott Scroggins, the Tigers and Cajuns are 3rd and 4th in the nation in average runs scored/game.
Both teams hit the long ball, too. They have hit a combined 207 home runs on the season. ULL is tied for the lead in the nation with 112 home runs in 2015. Auburn is 11th with 95.
The Cajuns are 10th in the nation in batting average at .346. That's only a few spots ahead of the Tigers who hit .345.
The Tigers' pitchers will have their work cut out for them, that's for sure. However, Auburn has three very capable pitchers in Lexi Davis, Marcy Harper, and Rachel Walters. They'll be facing a very good hitting team, but it's nothing they can't handle.
It's also a bit disconcerting that Auburn's home runs slacked off considerably in the last month of the season. Hopefully Jade Rhodes' near shot against South Alabama last Sunday will spark the Tigers' bats to pick back up.
For all of this, it sounds as if I'm predicting Auburn is going to fall in this Regional. I am not. For one, I'm a homer. But for another, there is a big difference in the Sun Belt Conference and the SEC. The SEC is the premier Softball league in the nation. Half of the teams left in the post-season are SEC teams. There's a reason for that.
Could Auburn lose? Yes, absolutely. If the Tigers can't get their bats going an ULL hits to their normal standards, it could be a very rough weekend. However, I think the Tigers are ready for this. They're on a huge stage and ready to prove that they belong in the discussion of the best teams in the nation.
The pitching is there. The hitting is there if they continue with the way they closed the Regional out against South Alabama. It's going to be a fun weekend at (officially) sold out Jane B Moore Field. War Eagle!
How to Watch, Stream, Listen
Official NCAA Super Regional site.
Friday:
Time: 1pm CDT
TV: ESPNU
Online: WatchESPN / ESPN3
Listen: Auburn IMG Network
Saturday:
Game 1
Time: 11am CDT
TV: ESPN
Online: WatchESPN / ESPN3
Listen: Auburn IMG Network
Game 2 (if necessary)
Time: 2pm CDT
TV: ESPN
Online: WatchESPN / ESPN3
Listen: Auburn IMG Network