No. 3 LSU Faces No. 9 Auburn in Key SEC Series This Weekend

AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 3 LSU Tigers (31-3, 10-2 SEC) are set to visit No. 9 Auburn Tigers (23-10, 6-6 SEC) for a crucial three-game Southeastern Conference series beginning Friday night at Plainsman Park. This matchup features two formidable teams with contrasting SEC records.

LSU enters the series riding a nine-game winning streak, their best start since 2013, and boasts a 10-2 record in conference play. The Tigers’ strong performance has placed them among the elite in college baseball, as evidenced by their current national ranking.

The series opens Friday, April 11, with the first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. Game times for the series are also set for Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

In a month filled with challenging opponents, this is the fourth consecutive weekend that LSU faces a top-10 team. LSU head coach Jay Johnson emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, “I appreciate the way our team has prepared to play every game. The game of baseball is not designed to be played perfectly, but commitment is key.”

Last weekend, LSU completed a historic sweep over No. 9 Oklahoma, marking the first time the Tigers had swept a top-10 team on the road since 1997. The pitching staff limited the Sooners to just four unearned runs in 27 innings, achieving a rare feat of not allowing an earned run throughout the series.

LSU’s pitching ace, sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson, will start Game 1. Anderson boasts a perfect 6-0 record and a 2.85 ERA this season, along with 75 strikeouts over 47.1 innings. In his last outing, he delivered a complete-game shutout against Oklahoma, solidifying his position as one of the top pitchers in the SEC.

Auburn’s starting pitcher for Friday will be senior right-hander Samuel Dutton, who transferred from LSU and has a 4-2 record with a 2.66 ERA this season. Dutton has emerged as the ace for Auburn and will be looking to make a statement against his former team.

Historically, LSU leads the all-time series against Auburn 112-81, but the last few contests have been competitive, with both teams winning an equal number of series in recent years. LSU has won 24 of the last 35 matchups against Auburn and enters the series with confidence.

Auburn coach Butch Thompson expressed excitement for the challenge ahead, recognizing the quality of the LSU program: “We’re trying to reach and keep proving ourselves in this SEC race, and we have the opportunity to do so.”

This series promises to provide thrilling moments, especially as LSU’s standout players, including first baseman Jared Jones and leftfielder Derek Curiel, look to maintain their offensive momentum against the solid pitching of Auburn.

The games will be broadcast live on the Auburn Sports Network and streamed on SEC Network +. Fans can also follow along with live updates via LSU’s official stats website. The anticipated matchups and talented rosters on display make this series a must-watch for college baseball enthusiasts.