State Welcomes Auburn In First Home Conference Series
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Mississippi State leads the all-time series with Auburn, 20-15. In Starkville, MSU leads 11-5, while the Tigers hold a 9-8 advantage in Auburn. The series is tied 1-1 when played on a neutral field. MSU has outscored the Auburn, 145-117. Last year, AU swept a three-game series in Auburn, 4-1, 6-5, and 5-3. The MSU is seeking its first win over Auburn since April 2, 2005, a span of four games.
Chelsea Bramlett looks to keep her strong start to her collegiate career going. The freshman leads MSU in hitting with a .420 batting average. She also leads the team in runs (33) and hits (47), and is second in the conference in stolen bases with 27 which puts her tied for second on MSU's all-time freshman list.
Kelli Miller leads the Bulldogs from the mound with a 7-5 record and a1.41 ERA. In 69.2 innings of work, the senior has struck out 36 batters.Sara Hickerson is 2-4 with a 1.98 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 50.1 innings of work. She also has a conference-high six saves.
Auburn enters this weekend's series with a 14-17 overall record, and3-5 in the SEC. The Tigers are coming off a weekend that saw them drop two of three games to Ole Miss. As a team, Auburn is batting .344 with21 doubles and 18 home runs. AU has also stolen 23 bases in only 32 attempts. Offensively, the Tigers are led by Holly Currie. The senior his hitting .319 with five doubles, six home runs, 14 runs and 18 RBI. Tatiana Fernandez has added four home runs and 15 RBI, while Sara Ghezzi has four home runs and 17 RBI. From the pitching circle, Auburn throws primarily two pitchers. Anna Thompson leads the team with an 8-8 record and a 1.69 ERA. She also has six complete games, while striking out 166 batters, and has Auburn's only save of the year.. Currie has a 1.92 ERA with 106 strikeouts, but is just 6-8 overall. Opponents are hitting just .190 against Tiger pitching.
Following this weekend's action, the Bulldogs will travel to Madison, Miss. for the third annual M&F Bank Fastpitch Classic against Ole Miss, March 28. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT)
