After the greatest season in program history, the Auburn softball team will begin the 2017 campaign at No. 2, according to the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday morning.
Auburn's No. 2 ranking is their highest preseason ranking ever, and is the same position in which they closed the 2016 season.
The back-to-back conference Tournament champions and WCWS participants have a trying schedule this upcoming season. Auburn is set to face 10 opponents in the annual preseason poll, including three in the top five.
No. 2 Auburn matches up with No. 1 Oklahoma to kick off the 2017 season in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Feb. 9. The battle between the top teams is set for 1 p.m. CST and can be seen on ESPNU. The Tigers then face off with No. 13 Washington later that evening at 7 p.m. CST, which will be available on the WatchESPN app.
Auburn welcomes three ranked teams to the Plains as No. 14 James Madison (Feb. 25-26), No. 4 LSU (March 10-12) and No. 17 Missouri (April 14-16) are set to make their way to Jane B. Moore Field.
The Tigers will be tested early and often as they hit the road for tilts with No. 15 Tennessee (March 14), No. 25 USF (March 17), No. 4 Florida (March 25-27), No. 12 Georgia (March 31-April 2) and No. 7 Alabama (May 5-7).
Auburn will open the season in Mexico, but then will remain at home for 21 consecutive games beginning with SIU-Edwardsville, Feb. 16.
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