The Auburn softball team will take its talent to Boca Raton, Fla., this weekend to compete in the Florida Atlantic Tournament.
The Tigers kept their undefeated season alive last weekend, overcoming Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech in the SEC/ACC/Big 12 Challenge and improving their record to 7-0.
"The season's going good," said senior shortstop Lauren Guzman. "Our defense right now is doing pretty well, and our hitting. We're hitting when we're supposed to be hitting instead of just hitting scattered. Our situational hitting is good."
Despite going into the tournament with a perfect record, coach Tina Deese said the team has room for improvement.
"We are playing very good ball at times," Deese said. "I think we are doing a decent job at making adjustments. I think our pitching staff is doing what it needs to do in terms of just giving us time to make adjustments at the plate, keeping the ball games tight. I think overall, you know, if we're going to compete for an SEC West championship, or whatever it is that we aspire to, we've got to do a lot of things to get better."
Auburn will face Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic Friday, Michigan State and Florida International Saturday and Loyola Marymount Sunday.
With the Tigers playing five games in three days, Deese said pitching adjustments and player communication are vital for success.
"I think more than anything we've just got to see all kinds of different looks from our pitching, different pitchers," Deese said. "I think we need to make adjustments from one at-bat to the next, sometimes from one pitch to the next.
"I think we need to continue to work as a team to work on signals and gelling as a team. I think that's huge, and just bringing energy to the game."
While the Tigers call Jane B. Moore Field home, Auburn's first away tournament of the season comes with a sense of excitement unlike the rest: it's a final homecoming for three seniors.
This weekend, Florida natives Guzman and senior pitchers Jenee Loree and Lauren Schmalz will play in front of their friends and families back home one last time.
"Quite honestly, I enjoy playing at home," Deese said. "I think the girls absolutely love to play at home, but we can't play at home every weekend.
"I've got a couple of seniors going home: Lauren Schmalz, Jenee Loree and Lauren Guzman. We're going to play in front of their family and friends for the last time down there in South Florida, so I think that's important, and for that I am very much looking forward to going down to Florida."
Auburn begins tournament play Friday with games at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Saturday's two matchups, the first against Michigan State, will start at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Play will conclude Sunday at 10 a.m. when the Tigers take on Loyola Marymount.
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