FPN Series of the Week: No. 2 Florida vs. No. 3 Auburn
The Series of the Week this weekend features the No. 3 Auburn Tigers visiting Gainesville and the No. 2 Florida Gators. The Tigers (27-3, 2-1) and Gators (27-1, 5-0) both bring experience, heavy hitters and above average pitching. Game 1 will be the first ESPN2 televised game of the year on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET. Game 2 of the series will also be on ESPN2 Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET followed by Monday’s finale at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
At the Plate
The Auburn offense has become a little more consistent lately. In the last 10 games, the Tigers have recorded 71 hits, 27 extra-base hits and 61 runs. Carlee Wallace leads things off with a .388 average and a .750 slugging. She is tied with Kasey Cooper for the team-lead in runs batted in (30). The key for the Tigers will be production from the bottom half of the lineup. Madi Gipson has found herself in the mix and brings experience. Morgan Podany’s patience (18 walks in 44 at bats) at the plate and Victoria Draper’s (.411 average) ability to turn the lineup over will give the top of the lineup baserunners to drive in.
The Gators are led by Kayli Kvistad and Sophia Reynoso with batting averages of .435 and .430. Amanda Lorenz isn’t too far behind with .390. One of the biggest differences that set the Gators apart from the Tigers is where the RBI production comes from. Jaimie Hoover leads the Gators with 33 RBI and hits sixth. Of the starting nine, Justine McLean is the only Florida batter who doesn’t have double-digit RBI.
In the Circle
Kaylee Carlson is coming off her first career perfect game and the second perfect game in Auburn history. She is 15-0 with a 0.93 ERA and six complete games. She will most likely pitch twice and Makayla Martin will look to earn her first conference win. Martin is 12-3 with a 0.98 ERA. Jenna Abbott is the left-handed specialist out of the bullpen and freshman Ashlee Swindle could see an inning or two.
Florida is unique because it has three pitchers who would be considered aces on any team. Delanie Gourley has thrown the most innings (68.1) and is 11-1 with a 0.82 ERA, Kelly Barnhill is 10-0 in 61.2 innings with a 0.23 ERA and then there is the everyday player Aleshia Ocasio. Ocasio is 5-0 with a 0.55 ERA and plays the field when she isn’t pitching. Katie Chronister is out of the pen when needed and she has a 0.54 ERA. The Gators staff has given up a combined 14 earned runs in 181 innings. Barnhill has struck out 119 and Gourley has 105.
Analysis & Predictions
This series is interesting because both teams are ranked in the top three. The Florida pitching has been unbelievable this year and is so versatile that Auburn most likely will see a different starter for each game. Auburn has struggled this season with above average pitching, losing to Megan Good (James Madison), Carley Hoover (LSU) and Taran Alvelo (Washington). Auburn would need two lights out performances from the circle and errorless defense to take this series.
Pick: Florida
