Thursday night pitching duel highlights top-25 matchup

The No. 1 Florida Gators will put its perfect SEC series record on the line this weekend when the No. 22 Auburn Tigers come to McKethan Stadium.

The series will feature two of the best college arms on Friday night and an Auburn team coming off of a huge weekend sweep of Alabama in Tuscaloosa last weekend and winners in their last six games.

Who: No. 1 Florida (34-9/14-4) vs. No. 22 Auburn (30-12/9-2)
Where: McKethan Stadium
Schedule:
Thursday – 7 pm (ESPNU)
Friday – 6:30 pm (SEC Network +)
Saturday – 2 pm (SEC Network +)

Pitching Matchups:
Friday: RHP Brady Singer (8-1, 2.77 ERA) vs. RHP Casey Mize (8-1, 2.25 ERA)
Saturday: RHP Jackson Kowar (7-1, 2.40 ERA) vs. RHP Tanner Burns (3-4, 2.29 ERA)
Sunday: RHP Jack Leftwich (3-1, 3.40 ERA) vs. TBD

Series Notes:
Saturday’s game was moved from 6:30 pm to 2 pm due to travel considerations for Auburn.
The Tigers swept Florida last year at Auburn.
Auburn leads the overall series 131-113-2
Florida leads 60-42 when the games are played at McKethan Stadium.

Auburn Notes:
The Tigers are hitting .332 with 70 runs on 72 hits and have also turned in a 3.00 ERA during their six game winning streak.
Auburn swept Alabama in Tuscaloosa last weekend. It was the first time they’ve accomplished it since 1976

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
April 26 vs. Missouri @ 7 PM
• Albert T Shirt Giveaway (4 of 4): The first 500 fans receive a specially designed Albert cartoon t-shirt.
• City of Gainesville Appreciation Night: Gainesville residents with valid I.D. (i.e. driver’s license) can purchase 2-for-1 reserved bleacher seats.
• City of Ocala Appreciation Day: Ocala residents with valid I.D. (i.e. driver’s license) can purchase 2-for-1 reserved bleacher seats.
April 27 vs. Auburn @ 6:30 PM
• 1998 College World Series Team Recognition: Members of the Gators 1998 CWS team will be back at McKethan Stadium and recognized prior to the game.
• Food Truck Fridays: Local food trucks Cilantro Tacos and Soup To Nuts. Setup along the left field line by maintenance area.
• Pepsi Family Night: Families can purchase 4 GA tickets, 4 hotdogs and 4 sodas for only $24.
• Gator Booster Night: All Gator Booster members with valid ID receive 2-for-1 reserved bleacher.
April 28 vs. Auburn @ 2 PM
• Seniors Night: Fans, 55 and older with valid I.D. receive 2-for-1 Reserved Bleacher seats
• Military /First Responder Appreciation Nights: Military members, veterans and first responders with valid I.D. receive 2-for-1 reserved bleacher seats.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC