In the heart of spring break at Auburn University, the Tigers will gear up for a midweek clash with the Air Force Falcons — for the first time in program history.
The Tigers boast a 7-1 home record this season, showcasing an offense that has been firing on all cylinders, outscoring opponents 71-24 in eight home games. With a streak of 11 consecutive games with a home run to start the season, the Tigers' lineup packs a powerful punch.
Cooper Weiss, a graduate transfer, has been a force on the base paths, leading the SEC with 12 stolen bases. His speed and agility make him a constant threat to opposing pitchers. Meanwhile, Ike Irish has been swinging a hot bat, recently joining the 100-hit club and providing a steady presence in the Tigers' lineup.
On the pitching front, Conner McBride is set to take the mound for the Tigers. McBride, with a solid 2.08 ERA, will look to stifle the Falcons' offense and secure another victory for his team. Fresh off a successful weekend series against UConn, where they outscored their opponents 20-11, the Tigers are riding high and looking to continue their winning ways.
Meanwhile, the Falcons, led by head coach Mike Kazlausky, are gearing up for a tough battle on the road. Despite facing some challenges this season, including four consecutive losses, the Falcons are determined to bounce back. With key players like Jay Thomason and Jake Greiving leading the offensive charge, the Falcons have the firepower to compete with the best.
Thomason, a lefty slugger, has been a standout performer for the Falcons, leading the team in batting average of .364, slugging percentage of .614, and 12 runs scored. His power at the plate makes him a threat to go deep at any moment, and the Tigers' pitching staff will need to be wary of his presence in the lineup.
Greiving has also been swinging a hot bat, riding a nine-game hitting streak and leading the team with three home runs this season.
The Falcons found success against SEC competition earlier this season defeating Mississippi State in their second matchup of the opening series. Purdue transfer Khal Stephen delivered a solid performance on the mound for Mississippi State, tallying seven strikeouts over his innings.
Air Force capitalized on opportunities, with catcher Walker Zapp's home run and Chris Stallings' clutch single in the ninth proving decisive. Despite a late effort by Mississippi State, including a go-ahead run in the eighth, Air Force's strong pitching and timely hitting sealed the victory, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup.
Pitching for the Falcons will be freshman Patrick Davidson, who is slated to make his first career start. Davidson, along with fellow Auburn High School graduates Zapp and Thomason, will be looking to make an impact against their hometown team.
The Tigers and Falcons are scheduled for first pitch inside of Plainsman Park at 1 p.m. CST on Wednesday, March 6 with television coverage available on the SEC Network+. The matchup can be heard on the Auburn Sports Network.
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Patrick is a sophomore from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in fall 2022.
