No. 8 Diamond Dawgs Host No. 3 Texas A&M For #SBW16 Showdown
April 15, 2016 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – As Bulldog faithful from across the country descend upon Dudy Noble Field for the 2016 edition of Super Bulldog Weekend, the No. 8 Mississippi State Bulldogs (24-9-1, 8-4 SEC) welcome the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies (26-7, 7-5 SEC) for a three-game series starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Game two of the series is set for 2 p.m., on Saturday, with the series finale taking place at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday.
The Diamond Dawgs returned to Dudy Noble on Wednesday for an 11-1 Hump Day victory against the Memphis Tigers after spending the prior weekend in Gainesville. It was there the Bulldogs took two games from the nation's then-No. 1 Florida Gators at 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).
Having won 11 of its last 15 games, the Maroon and White enter the weekend looking to capture its fifth-straight SEC series for the first time since March 19-April 18, 1999 (vs. South Carolina, at Kentucky, vs. Auburn, vs. Alabama, at Tennessee). In total, the Bulldogs have won five-straight series, with four of those five series victories coming 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 Aggies come into the weekend riding a four-game winning streak. A&M has split their last two conference series, sweeping Georgia last weekend in College Station, but falling victim to a sweep from then-No. 3 Florida in Gainesville the prior weekend.
Most recently, the Aggies defeated Abilene Christian, 10-4, in a home midweek matchup on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs hold a 13-8 advantage in the series, with the Bulldogs owning a 6-4 edge in meetings since 2013, when A&M joined the SEC. TAMU has taken the last two series, with a 2-1 edge in College Station last season and a 2-1 series win in 2014 in Starkville.
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 14, Mississippi State's offense ranks sixth in the country in doubles (83, 1st in SEC), fifth in hits (382, 1st in SEC), 11th in batting average (.319, 2nd in SEC) and 12th in on base percentage (.413, 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 seventh in the country in doubles (15, 1st in SEC)
- 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 .323 clip (1st in SEC) with two down this season.
- Bulldog pinch hitters are raking at a .448 mark in 2016 (1st in SEC), 80 points higher than the next closest opponent.
- MSU skipper John Cohen is 6-4 all-time at MSU against the Aggies.
- This is only the second meeting between the programs in Starkville since A&M joined the SEC.
Friday's Forecast (April 15) – High 67, Low 53 – Thundershowers (40%)
Saturday's Forecast (April 16) – High 74, Low 53 – Partly Cloudy (0%)
Sunday's Forecast (April 17) – High 77, Low 50 – Sunny (10%)
Live Video and Television
Wednesday's game will be available on SEC Network + via the WatchESPN app.
Live Audio and Radio
All three games will be broadcast live on the MSU Baseball Radio Network (WKBB 100.9 FM in Starkville). The contest will also be audio streamed live online at HailState.com/Plus (requires subscription).
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. Reminder that general admission tickets do not guarantee a seat. General admission seating will be on a first come, first serve basis and then will be standing room only once the bleachers are full.
Promotions
Friday, April 15
- FREE mini helmets (while supplies last)
- Kids' Zone
- Postgame Fireworks
Saturday, April 16
- Kids' Zone
Sunday, April 17
- Military Appreciation Day
- Kids' Day at the Park: Kids' Zone and postgame base-running
- Trading card sets for the first 1,000 fans
There will be FREE admission for Bully's Kids' Club members and MSU students all weekend with ID present. Fans can also visit HailState.com/memories for incredible fan experiences courtesy of Maroon Memories.
