No. 8 Diamond Dawgs Set Sights on Memphis
April 12, 2016 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Returning home fresh from its first series victory at No. 1 Florida since 2007, No. 8 Mississippi State baseball (23-9-1) will now welcome Memphis (12-19) to Dudy Noble Field for a 6:30 p.m. Hump Day matchup.
The Diamond Dawgs return to the friendly confines of Dudy Noble Field after storming into McKethan Stadium last weekend and taking two games from No. 1 Florida, a venue where the Gators had not lost in 29-consecutive games dating back to 2015. After dropping the first game of the series, the Bulldogs battled back to win two straight and handed the Gators their first series loss at home since April of 2015 (2-8, 10-4, 2-1).
The Maroon and White have now won four-consecutive conference series for the first time since 2001 and have also won five-straight series for the first time since 2003. Four of those five series victories came against teams ranked 11th or better (No. 10 Oregon, at No. 2 Vanderbilt, No. 11 Ole Miss, at No. 1 Florida). Sitting at 8-4 in the conference, the Bulldogs are alone atop the SEC Western Division standings and are just two games out of first place in the league.
The Tigers entered the week off a home series victory against conference foe South Florida (8-3, 4-3, 5-7). Most recently, the Tigers fell in a 9-7 extra-innings contest to the Austin Peay Governors Tuesday night.
The Diamond Dawgs have amassed a 52-26 record all-time against the Tigers with Memphis knocking off the Bulldogs 7-1 at AutoZone Park last season. Junior outfielder Jacob Robson was 1 for 3 on the night and picked up MSU's lone RBI.
For more information on head coach John Cohen's ballclub, 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.”
Need To Know
· In the latest rankings released Monday, MSU was voted 8th in the Coaches Poll, 2nd by Baseball America, 2nd by D1 Baseball, 3rd by Perfect Game, 4th by the NCBWA and 5th by Collegiate Baseball.
· As of April 12, Mississippi State's offense ranks sixth in the country in doubles (80, 1st in SEC), fifth in hits (370, 1st in SEC), 13th in batting average (.318, 2nd in SEC) and 14th in on base percentage (.411, 1st in SEC).
· The Maroon and White pitching staff is eighth in the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings (9.5, 4th in SEC).
· In league games only, MSU's staff has compiled the best ERA in the conference (3.60).
· Individually, junior outfielder Reid Humphreys is 17th in the country in doubles (14, T-2nd in SEC)
· Freshman outfielder Jake Mangum leads the conference in batting average (.437) and is second in on base percentage (.500)
· Junior RHP Dakota Hudson is second in the conference in ERA (1.68)
· After hitting .243 with two outs in 2015, the Bulldogs are terrorizing opposing pitching with a .319 clip (1st in SEC) with two down this season.
· Bulldog pinch hitters are raking at a .444 mark in 2016 (1st in SEC), 77 points higher than the next closest opponent.
· Memphis skipper Daron Shoenrock was an assistant coach with the Diamond Dawgs from 2002-2004.
· John Cohen owns a 5-3 record against the Tigers
· The Bulldogs have won 22 of the last 27 games against Memphis.
· Memphis associate head coach Russ McNickle was a graduate assistant with the Maroon and White from 1988-90, the same three years John Cohen was defending the outfield for the Diamond Dawgs.
MSU recaps series win at No. 1 Florida (Video)
Brent Rooker | Nathaniel Lowe | Cody Brown | Gavin Collins
Wednesdays Forecast (April 13) – High 72, Low 56 – Cloudy (50%)
Live Video and Television
Wednesday's game will be available on SEC Network + via the WatchESPN app.
Live Audio and Radio
Wednesday's game will be available locally on WKBB 100.9 FM and on the MSU Baseball Radio Network. The contest will also be audio streamed live online at HailState.com/Plus (requires subscription).
Tickets
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at HailState.com/tickets or at the MSU ticket office behind home plate, which opens two hours before first pitch every game. **Tickets from the Feb. 23 rained-out game against Memphis can be used for admission to Wednesday's game**
Promotions
Frank the Camel will be in attendance and available for photographs to all comers. Students in attendance can also earn up to 225 HailState Reward points. Hail State rewards members who have won prizes will be able to pick them up during the game. For all midweek games this season, general admission tickets will be sold for $2. Hot dogs will also be available for $2 at concessions. Fans can also visit HailState.com/memories for incredible fan experiences.
