No. 4 Bulldogs Welcome Arkansas for Regular Season Finale
May 19, 2016 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Having won eight-consecutive games, the red-hot No. 4 Mississippi State Bulldogs (37-14-1, 18-9 SEC) prepare to host Arkansas (26-26, 7-20 SEC) at Dudy Noble Field for the final regular season series of the year.
The critical final series will begin with a pair of 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch times Thursday and Friday on SECN+, with the final game taking place at 5 p.m. CT on the SEC Network on Saturday.
MSU will recognize its four seniors Friday at 6:15 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to be able to show support for the senior class.
The Bulldogs picked up their second-consecutive SEC sweep last weekend for the first time since 2003, taking all three road contests against the Auburn Tigers in dominating fashion (4-0, 16-6, 10-3). With the series win, MSU won all five SEC road series it played this season for the first time since 1997.
MSU is aiming to win nine SEC series in a single season for the first time in school history. With an SEC record of 18-9, the Bulldogs are just one half game back of No. 1 Florida for the conference lead entering the final weekend of SEC play. The Diamond Dawgs have not won a regular season SEC Championship since 1989.
The Hogs enter the weekend riding a 10-game losing streak, including eight-consecutive conference losses. Arkansas lost all three games to Alabama last weekend (4-10, 4-7, 2-8).
The Bulldogs own a 49-44 advantage in the series with Arkansas and also lead the series 23-18 in Starkville. Arkansas won the series in Fayetteville last season two games to one.
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 4th in the Coaches Poll, 3rd by Baseball America, 5th by Collegiate Baseball, 3rd by Perfect Game, 3rd by the NCBWA and 4th by D1 Baseball.
· MSU's 38 overall victories this season has already eclipsed its 2015 total of 24, while its 18 SEC victories are the most since collecting the same number in 2014.
· The Bulldogs have not won 20 SEC games in a single season since 1989 and have never won 21 or more. That season was also the last time the Maroon and White took home a regular season SEC Championship.
· John Cohen's ballclub has 137 two-out RBIs in its first 52 games after having 98 total in 2015.
· MSU is hitting .307 with two outs after hitting .243 last season.
· State has 170 extra-base hits (114 doubles, 15 triples, 41 home runs) through 52 games after having just 117 in all 54 contests in 2015 (87 doubles, 8 triples, 22 home runs).
· The Bulldogs' pitching staff is 14th in the NCAA with 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings, which also ranks fifth amongst SEC teams.
· Holding a lead after six innings has been a key sign of a Bulldog victory this year, as State is 33-1 when leading after six, 31-2 when ahead after seven and 33-0 when on top through eight.
· Freshman Jake Mangum currently leads the Bulldogs, stands second in the SEC, is 13th nationally and leads the nation's freshmen with a .405 batting average
Starting Rotation
Thursday: MSU's Jr. RHP Dakota Hudson (8-3, 2.52 ERA) vs. ARK's Jr. RHP Dominic Taccolini (5-4, 5.81 ERA)
Friday: MSU's Jr. RHP Austin Sexton (6-2, 3.69 ERA) vs. ARK's TBA
Saturday: MSU's TBA vs. ARK's TBA
Thursday's Forecast (May 19) – High 82, Low 61 – Partly Cloudy (0%)
Friday's Forecast (May 20) – High 77, Low 58 – Thunderstorms (90%)
Saturday's Forecast (May 21) – High 80, Low 55 – Mostly Sunny (10%)
Live Video and Television
Both Thursday's and Friday's games will be available on the SEC Network + as Bart Gregory and Matt Wyatt will have the call. Fans can access through ESPN3.com or the WatchESPN app.
Saturday's game will be nationally broadcasted on the SEC Network, with Mike Morgan and Gabe Gross on the call.
All three games will be available to view online through ESPN3.com, the WatchESPN app or by clicking the links below.
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 and at the MSU ticket office behind home plate, which opens two hours before first pitch every game.
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