Auburn University’s softball team will begin Southeastern Conference (SEC) play this weekend, hosting Kentucky for a three-game series at Jane B. Moore Field. Auburn enters the matchup with a 17-6 record, while Kentucky holds an 18-4 mark.
The series opens Friday at 6 p.m. CT, continues Saturday at 2 p.m., and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be broadcast on SEC Network+, with JJ Jackson providing commentary alongside Amy Reif on Friday, Mark Fuller on Saturday, and Jonathon Hoppe on Sunday. Radio coverage will be available through WEGL 91.1 FM and online via the Auburn Tigers website and mobile app.
Co-head coach Kate Malveaux commented on the upcoming conference schedule: “The thing about the SEC is that every weekend is a Super Regional weekend,” said Malveaux. “We’re both going to show up and bring our best. The team that is going to give in first is the one that is not going to come out of the winning side of it. We are going to keep throwing punches and play our game. We play Oklahoma next week. If we show up to play Kentucky differently than we show up to play Oklahoma, we’re not setting ourselves up for success. Ultimately, we’re going to get back to the process of what we do and make sure we iron that out. Then we’re going to throw punches and compete our tails off.”
This marks Auburn’s first time opening SEC play at home since 2022, when they swept Texas A&M in their opening league series. Historically, Auburn has faced Kentucky three times previously in SEC-opening weekends and won each of those series.
Auburn finished its non-conference tournament schedule last weekend during the Jane B. Moore Memorial event, recording four wins—two each against Troy and USC Upstate—and two losses against No. 11 Virginia Tech.
Senior McKaela Walker leads Auburn offensively after setting program records in February for most home runs (8) and highest slugging percentage (1.000) by a Tiger in that month; she currently ranks 13th in the SEC for home runs.
Sophomore Kylie Shaw has reached base safely in all 23 games this season and leads the SEC with 24 walks; her .622 on-base percentage ranks among national leaders.
In pitching, sophomore Ella Harrison recently struck out a season-high 13 batters against USC Upstate; she ranks fourth in the SEC with eight wins this year.
Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon contributed two relief wins last weekend with a low earned run average across her appearances.
Kentucky arrives after sweeping its own John Cropp Classic tournament following a strong road start this season; key players include Allie Blum and Peyton Plotts who have combined for significant extra-base hits, while pitchers McKenzie Oslanzi and Hailey Nutter anchor their staff—Nutter leads with seven wins and 52 strikeouts.
This weekend also coincides with “Go Wild War Eagle Weekend,” encouraging fans to attend multiple athletic events including softball, baseball, tennis, equestrian, and gymnastics across campus for chances at prizes such as YETI packs through QR code participation at venues.
Giveaways are planned throughout all three softball games: crossbody bags Friday, sunglasses Saturday, visors Sunday (while supplies last).
Construction affecting northbound Wire Road near Jane B. Moore Field will begin soon as part of sidewalk installation efforts from Lem Morrison Drive to Samford Avenue; northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane during construction.
