USA Today Ranks Diamond Dawgs No. 15 In Preseason Poll
January 25, 2018 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – As Mississippi State opens team practice on Friday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field, the Bulldogs have received their fifth top 25 preseason poll ranking in as many polls with the No. 15 spot in the USA Today Preseason Poll.
In addition to today's poll, the Diamond Dawgs have so for been ranked No. 12 by D1 Baseball, No. 13 by Collegiate Baseball, No. 23 by Baseball America and No. 25 by Perfect Game.
In terms of individual accolades, three Diamond Dawgs have combined for six Preseason All-American honors. Konnor Pilkington has garnered three (Collegiate Baseball, D1 Baseball and Perfect Game), while junior outfielder Jake Mangum has received two (D1 Baseball and Perfect Game) and junior relief pitcher Spencer Price has one (Collegiate Baseball).
State is coming off a 40-27 year in 2017 that included a NCAA Regional Championship in year one of the Andy Cannizaro Era. On Friday, Feb. 16, MSU will open the 2018 season on the very field at which the regional title was won, Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Fans will have opportunities to meet the 2018 Diamond Dawgs prior to Opening Day at a pair of free events on MSU's campus. Fan Day is set for Sunday, Feb. 11, while Cowbell Yell will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
For more information on the Diamond Dawg program, follow the program on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateBB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2018 Preseason Honors
Jake Mangum – OF – Third Team Preseason All-American (D1 Baseball, Perfect Game)
Konnor Pilkington – SP – Second Team Preseason All-American (Collegiate Baseball, Perfect Game), Third Team Preseason All-American (D1 Baseball)
Spencer Price – RP – Third Team Preseason All-American (Collegiate Baseball)
In addition to today's poll, the Diamond Dawgs have so for been ranked No. 12 by D1 Baseball, No. 13 by Collegiate Baseball, No. 23 by Baseball America and No. 25 by Perfect Game.
In terms of individual accolades, three Diamond Dawgs have combined for six Preseason All-American honors. Konnor Pilkington has garnered three (Collegiate Baseball, D1 Baseball and Perfect Game), while junior outfielder Jake Mangum has received two (D1 Baseball and Perfect Game) and junior relief pitcher Spencer Price has one (Collegiate Baseball).
State is coming off a 40-27 year in 2017 that included a NCAA Regional Championship in year one of the Andy Cannizaro Era. On Friday, Feb. 16, MSU will open the 2018 season on the very field at which the regional title was won, Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Fans will have opportunities to meet the 2018 Diamond Dawgs prior to Opening Day at a pair of free events on MSU's campus. Fan Day is set for Sunday, Feb. 11, while Cowbell Yell will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
For more information on the Diamond Dawg program, follow the program on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateBB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2018 Preseason Honors
Jake Mangum – OF – Third Team Preseason All-American (D1 Baseball, Perfect Game)
Konnor Pilkington – SP – Second Team Preseason All-American (Collegiate Baseball, Perfect Game), Third Team Preseason All-American (D1 Baseball)
Spencer Price – RP – Third Team Preseason All-American (Collegiate Baseball)
Players Mentioned
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