Wednesday Bulldog Update - 3/23/16
March 23, 2016 | Athletics
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There's hardly a better way to begin our weekly Update than by congratulating Vic Schaefer and our women's basketball team for advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Our Bulldogs play No. 1 UConn in Bridgeport Saturday at 10:30 a.m. CT on ESPN. Coach Schaefer and his staff, with talented young ladies of character on the team, have made amazing strides in only four years in Starkville. I am incredibly proud of the team and can't wait to watch them in the Sweet 16 this weekend.
While others may be larger, I've always believed that Mississippi State has one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. You've shown time and again that your support is unwavering and applies to any team wearing the Maroon and White. This weekend was but another example of how you make Davis Wade Stadium, Dudy Noble Field and all of our venues rock!
So, thank you Bulldog fans for your strong support of this women's basketball team throughout the season, and especially for making Sunday's atmosphere at the Hump against Michigan State so spectacular. (Although you made a ton of noise, the 'bad acoustics' certainly didn't hurt!).
(Jokes, aside, other than the inconvenience with having to stay in Columbus other than Starkville, Michigan State Coach Suzy Merchant and the rest of her staff shared positive reviews about the hospitality they received last weekend. It's frustrating to lose tournament games, especially being sent on the road as a higher seed, so I'd suggest let's be understanding and congratulate the Spartans on a fine season).
BASEBALL BACK HOME THURSDAY-SATURDAY
MSU Baseball opens the SEC portion of its home schedule this weekend against Georgia, but remember that this series runs Thursday through Saturday, so plan accordingly. Play begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, while Saturday's finale starts at 2 p.m. (giving you plenty of time to watch women's basketball beforehand!). All three games will be broadcast online on SEC Network+, and are also available on our statewide radio network, affiliates listed here.
While the team overall had a great weekend in winning two out of three on the road at No. 2 Vanderbilt, let's give a special shout out to Dakota Hudson, our junior team captain who was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week and the Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week after his impressive nine-inning performance last Friday.
WRAPPING UP THIS WEEK'S EMAIL IN MAROON AND WHITE
- As part of our ever-continuing initiative to improve the fan experience, I'd ask that as many of you as are able to take a few minutes to fill out this survey about your thoughts and opinions as a Mississippi State fan. By completing the survey, you will be entered to win a 2016-17 season ticket package that includes two season tickets to Mississippi State football, men's & women's basketball games, and baseball games.
- A reminder if this reaches you in time that our 25th-ranked Bulldog softball team plays at Nusz Park tonight, hosting Central Arkansas at 6:30, broadcast nationally on the SEC Network. We will also have an official send off for the women's basketball team's Sweet 16 trip at tonight's softball game.
- Fresh off a road win at LSU, our No. 24 Bulldog men's tennis team returns home this weekend to host No. 16 Florida at 5 p.m. Friday and Auburn at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Matt Roberts is doing a great job leading a young but talented bunch of Bulldogs, and they deserve our support at each match, so come on out to Pitts Tennis Center.
We appreciate what you do for Mississippi State Athletics and want to encourage you to get others involved. There are three things you can do to help the athletic department at Mississippi State reach its desired goals –
1. Buy Season Tickets
2. Financially Support the Bulldog Club
3. Get Others To Do The Same
Thanks for taking the time to read this Update.
Hail State!
Scott Stricklin
