John Pawlowski put off changing up his rotation for this weekend’s series at South Carolina for another time.

Instead, the Auburn coach is more focused on Grant Dayton’s changeup.

Despite back-to-back rough outings from Dayton, Pawlowski said he’ll stick Dayton in his usual Friday slot — for now.

“We actually talked about it for this weekend, but decided to maintain it the way it was,” Pawlowski said. “I think the guys, they have a lot of confidence in playing behind both (Dayton and Jon Luke Jacobs), but there’s something about Grant. He gives us a chance on a Friday night.”

In his last two starts, Dayton has allowed a combined 10 runs and 20 hits over 11 1/3 innings. He relies more on location than speed, Pawlowski said, and neither have been at their usual reliable level.

“Both of those have not been up to his standards in his last few outings,” Pawlowski said. “He still goes out there and competes but he’ll have to pitch well this weekend, obviously and hopefully he’ll have his command and location.”

Auburn has still yet to find a regular starter for Sunday and Pawlowski said he’ll decide sometime after Saturday’s game for this weekend’s finale.

“It’s just going to depend on who throws in relief,” Pawlowski said.

This weekend’s series will mark a homecoming of sorts for Pawlowski, who spent nine years at the College of Charleston and four years as a player at Clemson, constantly facing the Gamecocks in non-conference games. Pawlowski is 1-7 as a coach against South Carolina and 3-5 as a player.

Pawlowski said games at both his stadium at College of Charleston and the Gamecocks’ stadium would be packed for the rivalry of sorts, as each school had a mixed alumni base.

“I know that any time you’re competing against Coach (Ray) Tanner and his club, his club is very well-coached and they understand how to play,” Pawlowski said of the 13-year coach. “You look at the job he’s done and where he’s taken that program, he’s done a great job. I enjoy competing against them and certainly will be something we’ll have our hands full this weekend.”

The series also marks Auburn’s new stadium tour through the SEC. The Gamecocks’ newly constructed, $35.6 million Carolina Stadium seats approximately 9,000 fans. Next weekend, the Tigers will play LSU in its brand new Alex Box Stadium, which also seats 9,000.

“You look at the facilities in this league, just baseball-wise, it’s incredible,” Pawlowski said.

Auburn will bring its newly tinkered lineup to the new park.

Second baseman Justin Hargett, who has batted ninth for the bulk of the season, is now batting leadoff. Trent Mummey, who leads the team in on-base percentage, is now batting second in front of Joseph Sanders, who leads the team in RBI.

“It makes sense in theory,” Pawlowski said. “Now whether it works or not remains to be seen.”

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