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Non-conference play continues, as Auburn hosts Eastern Illinois for a three-game set this weekend at Plainsman Park. The Tigers struggled in a midweek 9-2 loss to Kennesaw State, but if all goes according to plan, they can bounce back and claim their third straight winning weekend to start the year.
Last weekend
Middle Tennessee State 2, Auburn 1;
Auburn 5, College of Charleston 1
Auburn split a Saturday doubleheader and received great pitching in both games. The bats were absent against MTSU, but they came around against C of C.
After a wild start -- all the scoring took place in the first four innings -- the Auburn bullpen completely shut down ISU to claim a narrow win.
Midweek
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The defense and pitching were poor, and the offense was lackluster, leaving the bases loaded twice.
Probable starters
Friday, 3 p.m.
LHP Daniel Koger (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Borens (0-1, 3.18 ERA)
Saturday, 3 p.m.
LHP Michael O'Neal (2-0, 1.54 ERA) vs. RHP Joe Greenfield (1-0, 0.66 ERA)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
TBA vs. RHP Andrew Grahn (0-0, 6.23 ERA)
Weather forecast
OK, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties, 'cause it's coooold out there. Yes it's going to be a frigid weekend at Plainsman Park. Friday's game has already been moved up from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m. in anticipation of icy temperatures once night falls. Saturday doesn't look much better, as there appears to be a chance of snow. Sunday should be clear, but it'll still be on the chilly side. With the low temps, don't expect the ball to jump off bats this weekend.
Individual stats
| Auburn | Eastern Illinois | |
| Batting average | Blake Austin, .400 | Brant Valach, .360 |
| Runs | Jackson Burgreen and Dan Glevenyak, 8 | Jacob Reese, 5 |
| RBIs | Ryan Tella, 12 | Three players, 4 |
| Doubles | Garrett Cooper, 4 | Jacob Reese, 3 |
| Triples | Ryan Tella, 1 | Treysen Vavra, 1 |
| Home runs | Three players, 1 | Demetre Taylor, 1 |
| Stolen bases | Three players, 1 | Nathan Sopena and Tyler Schweigert, 2 |
| Starting ERA | Daniel Koger, 0.00 | Joe Greenfield, 0.66 |
| Relief ERA | Four players, 0.00 | Luke Bushur, 1.42 |
| Starting BA against | Daniel Koger, .140 | Joe Greenfield, .220 |
| Relief BA against | Conner Kendrick, .100 | George Kalousek, .000 |
| Strikeouts | Conner Kendrick, 9 | Joe Greenfield, 12 |
| Wins | Michael O'Neal and Justin Camp, 2-0 | Joe Greenfield, 1-0 |
| Saves | Four players, 1 | George Kalousek, 1 |
Team stats
| Auburn | Eastern Illinois | |
| Batting average | .282 | .242 |
| Runs | 41 | 25 |
| RBIs | 36 | 22 |
| Home runs | 3 | 1 |
| Extra-base hits | 21 | 13 |
| Stolen bases | 3-of-9 | 7-of-9 |
| ERA | 1.75 | 3.96 |
| BA against | .206 | .264 |
| WHIP | 1.06 | 1.57 |
| Strikeouts | 48 | 42 |
| Walks | 17 | 34 |
| Saves | 4 | 1 |
Around the SEC
Illinois-Chicago at No. 2 Vanderbilt
No. 3 Arkansas at Gonzaga
St. Joseph's at No. 5 Mississippi State
No. 7 South Carolina at Clemson
No. 8 Ole Miss at FIU
Brown at No. 9 LSU
Akron at No. 11 Kentucky
UAB at Georgia
No. 22 Notre Dame at Tennessee
Miami at Florida
Northwestern at Missouri
Tulane at Alabama
Houston at Texas A&M