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Auburn Softball: Tigers set to host LSU in SEC opener

By Keith Prater

Sep 10, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; View of the Toomer's Corner trees after they were rolled following the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Red Wolves 51-14. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; View of the Toomer's Corner trees after they were rolled following the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Red Wolves 51-14. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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The No. 2 Auburn softball team took advantage of their final tune up Wednesday night with a 14-0 thrashing of in-state rival, Alabama State, before the Tigers open SEC play against LSU Friday night.

Auburn will open SEC play hitting on all cylinders having outscored their past 14 opponents by a combined score of 119-4. Auburn leads the nation in ERA at 0.68, while LSU comes into the series ranked eighth in the nation in batting average at .366.

Auburn starting pitchers Kaylee Carlson (11-0)  and Makayla Martin (9-2) have become, undoubtedly, the best one-two punch in the nation.

The Tigers enter this weekend’s series against LSU led by Carlee Wallace at the plate, who has also been masterful behind the dish while picking off two runners in last weekends Wilson/DeMarini Classic. Wallace is currently hitting .404, slugging .788, carrying a team leading .560 OBP, leads the team with eight doubles, while tallying 22 RBI.

On the other side of the Diamond, LSU will bring an 18-4 record to the plains. The Bayou Bengals are currently ranked #12 in both major polls.

LSU had a solid showing last weekend in the LSU Invitational, going 5-1, outscoring opponents 41-5.

LSU is led on the mound by Sydney Smith (6-1, 0.98 ERA), and Allie WallJasper (7-1, 1.15 ERA ). The Tigers pitching staff will carry the nations 22nd ranked ERA at 1.63, into the series against an Auburn team currently hitting .310.

At the plate, LSU All-American, Bailey Landry has continued to wreck opposing pitching. Landry is currently hitting .528 (good for 11th in the nation), slugging .708, with one homer.

The Tigers carry a high on base percentage at .416 that has turned into the 13th best scoring attack in the nation. Their ability to get runners on and punch them in has been the difference. Two of LSU’s four losses have come by shut out, so it’ll be a big test for Auburn pitchers to put the defense in situations to get outs, or LSU can take advantage and deliver some punishment.

LSU and Auburn have both reached the College World Series in each of the past two seasons, so this is lining up to be a monumental early season matchup and will prove where each program currently stands at this point in the season.

The weekends schedule will go as follows:

3/11     vs. LSU     6:00 PM CT     TV: SECN+

3/12     vs. LSU     7:30 PM CT     TV: SECN

3/13     vs. LSU     4:00 PM CT     TV: SECN

Next: Auburn's Five Best and Five Worst Draft Picks

Here’s to getting the SEC started strong.

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