Thursday, May 18
Starkville
6:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
#5 LSU
MSU and LSU will square off for a three-game series, starting Thursday at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
No. 8 Diamond Dawgs, No. 5 Tigers Square Off With SEC West At Stake
May 17, 2017 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – With just three regular-season games remaining, No. 8 Mississippi State will play host to No. 5 LSU for a three-game series with Southeastern Conference Western Division implications on the line at Dudy Noble Field.
The top two teams in the SEC West respectively, the Tigers (36-17, 18-9 SEC) and Diamond Dawgs (34-19, 17-10 SEC) will meet with the chance to claim the division crown, along with competing for SEC Tournament seeding and other postseason positioning.
The series will open on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network, while Friday's 6:30 p.m. game will air on SEC Network+, which is available through WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app. The series will conclude on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. first pitch on ESPNU.
Also during the weekend, State is hosting the Dudy Noble Field Celebration Series which will celebrate the history of Dudy Noble Field and Bulldog Baseball in advance of construction beginning on the school's new stadium following the conclusion of the 2017 season. Over the course of the weekend, MSU will honor its seniors on the field, highlight the greatest fans in college baseball and welcome Diamond Dawg greats from all generations. For more information on the weekend, fans can visit HailState.com/DNFcelebration.
State leads the all-time series 211-174-1, with a 113-72-1 advantage in games played in Starkville. While LSU has won the last two meetings, MSU won the most recent series between the two sides in 2016 in Baton Rouge. The Bulldogs are in search of their first series win against the Tigers in Starkville since 2007.
VIDEO: Brent Rooker and Andy Cannizaro preview the series vs. LSU
Game Notes | Live Stats
NEED TO KNOW
Thursday Forecast: High 87, Low 66 – Partly Cloudy – 20% Chance of Rain
Friday Forecast: High 91, Low 66 – Partly Cloudy – 10% Chance of Rain
Saturday Forecast: High 89, Low 66 – PM Thunderstorms – 50% Chance of Rain
LIVE VIDEO & TELEVISION
Friday's game will air strictly on SEC Network+ via the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com, while the Thursday (SEC Network) and Friday (ESPNU) contests will both be nationally televised, in addition to being available on mobile devices through the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Watch Thursday's Game | Watch Friday's Game | Watch Saturday's Game
LIVE AUDIO & RADIO
All three games this weekend will air live on the Mississippi State Baseball Radio Network. They will also be on TuneIn Radio and will be audio streamed live online at HailState.com/Plus (requires subscription).
PROBABLE STARTERS
Thursday – MSU So. LHP Konnor Pilkington (6-4, 3.44 ERA) vs. LSU Jr. RHP Alex Lange (6-5, 2.92 ERA)
Friday – MSU Fr. RHP Denver McQuary (2-2, 3.89 ERA) vs. LSU Sr. LHP Jared Poche' (8-3, 3.16 ERA)
Saturday – MSU TBA vs. LSU Fr. RHP Eric Walker (6-1, 3.77 ERA)
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 prior to first pitch of every game.
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Bully's Kids Club members and MSU students get in free with MSU ID for all regular season home games
Thursday – (Join us as we recognize the seniors who brought MSU to the top of the SEC) The first 1,000 fans will receive an Andy Cannizaro shirsey, while Senior Night and Graduation Recognition ceremonies will take place pregame.
Friday – (Join us as we honor the fans who built the best atmosphere in college baseball) Friday Night Fireworks will take place following the game, along with kids being allowed to run the bases.
Saturday – (Join us as we honor the legends who created the Carnegie Hall of College Baseball) The first 1,000 fans will receive a David "Boo" Ferriss shirsey, while the first 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative Dudy Noble Field poster.
Fans can also visit HailState.com/memories for incredible fan experiences such as:
GAME MANAGEMENT POLICY CHANGES
Ice Chest / Cooler check at all DNF gates
In adherence to Southeastern Conference and MSU Game Management Policy, all ice chests and ice coolers, regardless of size, will be checked at all gates prior to entry into Dudy Noble Field-Polk Dement Stadium this season. Individuals with prohibited items will be denied entry. Stadium gates will open two hours prior to first pitch, with servicing of suites and outfield rigs permitted on game day until 30 minutes prior to the gate opening time. All individuals must exit the stadium 30 minutes prior to gate opening and may reenter at gate opening after their tickets have been scanned.
Rightfield deck no standing / Safety lane
To provide for the safe management of the newly created deck space in right field, a 4' wide "No Standing / Safety Lane" has been marked on the right field deck. This visible, safe walkway will provide an unobstructed, free moving means for individuals and emergency personnel full access to travel along the right field deck length. At no time is it permissible to block, restrict or prevent individual movement or pedestrian traffic within and along the marked lane. Pedestrians are not permitted to stop or stand at any time within the marked lane.
FOLLOW THE DIAMOND DAWGS
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."
The top two teams in the SEC West respectively, the Tigers (36-17, 18-9 SEC) and Diamond Dawgs (34-19, 17-10 SEC) will meet with the chance to claim the division crown, along with competing for SEC Tournament seeding and other postseason positioning.
The series will open on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network, while Friday's 6:30 p.m. game will air on SEC Network+, which is available through WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app. The series will conclude on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. first pitch on ESPNU.
Also during the weekend, State is hosting the Dudy Noble Field Celebration Series which will celebrate the history of Dudy Noble Field and Bulldog Baseball in advance of construction beginning on the school's new stadium following the conclusion of the 2017 season. Over the course of the weekend, MSU will honor its seniors on the field, highlight the greatest fans in college baseball and welcome Diamond Dawg greats from all generations. For more information on the weekend, fans can visit HailState.com/DNFcelebration.
State leads the all-time series 211-174-1, with a 113-72-1 advantage in games played in Starkville. While LSU has won the last two meetings, MSU won the most recent series between the two sides in 2016 in Baton Rouge. The Bulldogs are in search of their first series win against the Tigers in Starkville since 2007.
VIDEO: Brent Rooker and Andy Cannizaro preview the series vs. LSU
Game Notes | Live Stats
NEED TO KNOW
- 21 of MSU's 34 wins this season have come in comeback fashion, with 12 of those having come in Southeastern Conference play.
- State is now 26-2 this season when leading after six innings, 21-8 when hitting a home run, 30-5 when holding opponents to four or fewer runs and 30-6 when outhitting opponents.
- The Bulldogs are 8-0 in their last eight games decided by one run and 11-5 in one-run games on the year.
- Since March 13, 2016, the Diamond Dawgs are 38-18 in SEC regular season play. State has also won 15 of its last 19 SEC regular season series dating back to 2016.
- MSU has won 15 SEC series over the last two seasons (six in 2017 and nine in 2016), the most SEC series wins by a Bulldog team in consecutive seasons since 1988-89 (15).
- Andy Cannizaro is just the second MSU coach to achieve 30 or more victories in his very first season at the helm. (Pat McMahon won 42 games in 1998)
- In Year One of the Andy Cannizaro Era, the Diamond Dawg offense is putting up numbers that are far ahead of the 2016 offense. Last season, State hit 47 home runs and recorded 51 steals over the course of the 63-game season. Through 55 games this season, MSU has hit 47 home runs and stolen 66 bases.
- MSU ranks third in the SEC in batting average (.287), slugging percentage (.433), hits (518), doubles (98), triples (13), hit by pitch (61) and stolen bases (66).
- Three-time SEC Player of the Week Brent Rooker leads the SEC in seven offensive categories – batting average (.406), slugging (.885), on-base percentage (.514), RBIs (71), doubles (26), home runs (20) and total bases (170).
- In all of Division I baseball, Rooker ranks first in doubles (26) and slugging (.885), along with sitting second in total bases (170), third in RBIs (71) and fourth in home runs (20) and batting average (.406).
- Elijah MacNamee (13), Hunter Stovall (13) and Josh Lovelady (11) are all in the midst of career-best reached base streaks.
- With a three-RBI showing on Tuesday, Rooker became the first Diamond Dawg to reach 20+ home runs, 20+ doubles, 70+ RBIs and the first SEC hitter since Auburn's Todd Faulkner in 2000.
- With 26 doubles on the year, Rooker ranks tied for second in the MSU single season record books with the most doubles by a Bulldog since 2016 Gold Glove first baseman Mitch Moreland hit 26 in 2007. (Paul Young's 27 doubles in 1989 is the record)
- Rooker's 20 homers is the most by an MSU batter since Tommy Raffo hit 22 in 1989. Rooker is tied for sixth in the MSU record books for home runs in a single season with 20.
- Freshman Riley Self is 5-0 on the year, the most victories by an MSU freshman since Evan Mitchell won six contests in 2011.
- State has received five wins on the mound from three of its position players in OF Brant Blaylock (1-0), 1B Cole Gordon (2-0) and OF Jake Mangum (2-1).
- State's one-through-four spots of Ryan Gridley, Brent Rooker, Jake Mangum and Cody Brown collectively went 9 for 15 with all 10 RBI on Tuesday, and all four had multi-hit performances. Rooker, Mangum and Brown collected three RBI each.
- Hunter Stovall, Elijah MacNamee and Josh Lovelady extended their career-high reached base streaks to 13, 13 and 11 games, respectively.
- Brent Rooker reached base in all five plate appearances via a single, a double, two walks and a sac fly, while collecting three RBI to increase his season total to 71.
- Rooker's double in the sixth inning was his 26th, which ties him for second on MSU's all-time single season doubles list. The last MSU player with as many was Mitch Moreland in 2007.
- Jake Mangum also collected three RBI and drove in the tying and go-ahead runs.
- Parker Ford threw career-highs in innings pitched (3.0) and strikeouts (3), in relief.
- Trey Jolly struck out three in 2.1 perfect innings of relief to earn his third win.
- Finishing out the night, Riley Self threw a two-strikeout perfect ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season.
Thursday Forecast: High 87, Low 66 – Partly Cloudy – 20% Chance of Rain
Friday Forecast: High 91, Low 66 – Partly Cloudy – 10% Chance of Rain
Saturday Forecast: High 89, Low 66 – PM Thunderstorms – 50% Chance of Rain
LIVE VIDEO & TELEVISION
Friday's game will air strictly on SEC Network+ via the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com, while the Thursday (SEC Network) and Friday (ESPNU) contests will both be nationally televised, in addition to being available on mobile devices through the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Watch Thursday's Game | Watch Friday's Game | Watch Saturday's Game
LIVE AUDIO & RADIO
All three games this weekend will air live on the Mississippi State Baseball Radio Network. They will also be on TuneIn Radio and will be audio streamed live online at HailState.com/Plus (requires subscription).
PROBABLE STARTERS
Thursday – MSU So. LHP Konnor Pilkington (6-4, 3.44 ERA) vs. LSU Jr. RHP Alex Lange (6-5, 2.92 ERA)
Friday – MSU Fr. RHP Denver McQuary (2-2, 3.89 ERA) vs. LSU Sr. LHP Jared Poche' (8-3, 3.16 ERA)
Saturday – MSU TBA vs. LSU Fr. RHP Eric Walker (6-1, 3.77 ERA)
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 prior to first pitch of every game.
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Bully's Kids Club members and MSU students get in free with MSU ID for all regular season home games
Thursday – (Join us as we recognize the seniors who brought MSU to the top of the SEC) The first 1,000 fans will receive an Andy Cannizaro shirsey, while Senior Night and Graduation Recognition ceremonies will take place pregame.
Friday – (Join us as we honor the fans who built the best atmosphere in college baseball) Friday Night Fireworks will take place following the game, along with kids being allowed to run the bases.
Saturday – (Join us as we honor the legends who created the Carnegie Hall of College Baseball) The first 1,000 fans will receive a David "Boo" Ferriss shirsey, while the first 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative Dudy Noble Field poster.
Fans can also visit HailState.com/memories for incredible fan experiences such as:
- Videoboard Message ($35)
- Diamond Girl for a Day ($29)
- Jr. Public Address Announcer ($10)
- "Play Ball" Announcer ($10)
- Deliver the Rosin Bag to Pitcher ($10)
- Second Base Delivery ($10)
GAME MANAGEMENT POLICY CHANGES
Ice Chest / Cooler check at all DNF gates
In adherence to Southeastern Conference and MSU Game Management Policy, all ice chests and ice coolers, regardless of size, will be checked at all gates prior to entry into Dudy Noble Field-Polk Dement Stadium this season. Individuals with prohibited items will be denied entry. Stadium gates will open two hours prior to first pitch, with servicing of suites and outfield rigs permitted on game day until 30 minutes prior to the gate opening time. All individuals must exit the stadium 30 minutes prior to gate opening and may reenter at gate opening after their tickets have been scanned.
Rightfield deck no standing / Safety lane
To provide for the safe management of the newly created deck space in right field, a 4' wide "No Standing / Safety Lane" has been marked on the right field deck. This visible, safe walkway will provide an unobstructed, free moving means for individuals and emergency personnel full access to travel along the right field deck length. At no time is it permissible to block, restrict or prevent individual movement or pedestrian traffic within and along the marked lane. Pedestrians are not permitted to stop or stand at any time within the marked lane.
FOLLOW THE DIAMOND DAWGS
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."
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