The Kentucky softball team opens a six-game Southeastern Conference homestand this weekend, Apr. 30-May 1, when it hosts the nationally ranked Auburn Tigers who are 20th in the most recent poll.

The Wildcats will attempt to snap a four-game losing skid this weekend following a loss at Louisville earlier this week. The Cats are now 19-36 on the year and own a 3-20 mark in the SEC. The Tigers are 45-13 and have won seven straight games. AU is 19-7 in league play and ranks second in the Western division.

This marks the 22nd meeting all-time between the conference foes. The two faced off earlier this season in Miami, Fla., at the Diamond Fun & Sun Classic. Auburn won that meeting in five innings by a final score of 9-1 in the Wildcats? fourth game of the season.

?This season has been really up and down,? said head coach Eileen Schmidt. ?Auburn is having a great year and this is going to be a very tough series. We have to continue to learn with each game and each practice while picking up skills and the necessary mindsets to compete in the future here at Kentucky.?

The three-game set kicks off with a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. at the UK Softball Complex. The series finale is set for Sunday and will begin at 1 p.m.