Mississippi State enters 2020 with highest preseason ranking since 2014
Collegiate Baseball Tabs Dawgs Preseason No. 6
December 16, 2019 | Baseball
State enters 2020 with highest preseason ranking since 2014
by:Â Greg Campbell, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – For the first time since 2014, the Mississippi State baseball program will begin a season ranked among the top 10 nationally, as Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has tabbed the Bulldogs No. 6 in its preseason poll on Monday (Dec. 16).
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The preseason No. 6 ranking is the highest for the program since being No. 2 in Collegiate Baseball's preseason rankings in 2014. That season, MSU was a consensus top-10 team to start the season and advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Lafayette Regional.
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Collegiate Baseball's 2020 preseason poll has eight of MSU's opponents ranked among the top 40, including five among the top 11 teams. Non-Conference opponents Oregon State (No. 32), Texas Tech (No. 3) and South Alabama (No. 23), along with Southeastern Conference foes Arkansas (No. 9), LSU (No. 11), Auburn (No. 9), Texas A&M (No. 21) and Vanderbilt (No. 2) are all among the teams ranked in the preseason.
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After making its second-straight trip to the College World Series, grabbing a share of the SEC West Division crown and boasting a 52-15 overall record in 2019, MSU returns an experienced nucleus at the plate in juniors Tanner Allen, Justin Foscue, Rowdey Jordan and Jordan Westburg. The pitching staff returns a host of young and talented arms, led by 2019 National Freshman of the Year JT Ginn.
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Head coach Chris Lemonis enters his second season after posting the most victories (52) by a first-year SEC head coach in the conference's history and becoming just the third SEC first-year dugout boss to guide a team to Omaha. State finished the 2019 campaign ranked among the top five in each of the major national polls.
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The Bulldogs open the 2020 season with a three-game series at Dudy Noble Field against Horizon League champion Wright State from Feb. 14-16. The season opener is slated for 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. The series continues with a 2 p.m. start on Saturday, Feb. 15 and 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday, Feb. 16.
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Ticket Information
While reserved seating season tickets are sold out for the 34th straight season, general admission/standing room only season tickets are available for a cost of $199.
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New for the 2020 season, the Mobile Access Pass will provide access to unused chairback seats at Dudy Noble Field. The Mobile Access Pass provides a GA/SRO ticket for all games on the 2020 home schedule, while also offering upgraded access on a game-by-game basis to the unused chairback seats for all home weekend series – excluding Super Bulldog Weekend. The cost for the Mobile Access Pass is $225.
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The Mobile Access Pass and GA/SRO season tickets can be purchased at the Mississippi State Ticket Office, located in the Bryan Building off of Lakeview Drive. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or online at hailstate.com/tickets.
STARKVILLE – For the first time since 2014, the Mississippi State baseball program will begin a season ranked among the top 10 nationally, as Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has tabbed the Bulldogs No. 6 in its preseason poll on Monday (Dec. 16).
Â
The preseason No. 6 ranking is the highest for the program since being No. 2 in Collegiate Baseball's preseason rankings in 2014. That season, MSU was a consensus top-10 team to start the season and advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Lafayette Regional.
Â
Collegiate Baseball's 2020 preseason poll has eight of MSU's opponents ranked among the top 40, including five among the top 11 teams. Non-Conference opponents Oregon State (No. 32), Texas Tech (No. 3) and South Alabama (No. 23), along with Southeastern Conference foes Arkansas (No. 9), LSU (No. 11), Auburn (No. 9), Texas A&M (No. 21) and Vanderbilt (No. 2) are all among the teams ranked in the preseason.
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After making its second-straight trip to the College World Series, grabbing a share of the SEC West Division crown and boasting a 52-15 overall record in 2019, MSU returns an experienced nucleus at the plate in juniors Tanner Allen, Justin Foscue, Rowdey Jordan and Jordan Westburg. The pitching staff returns a host of young and talented arms, led by 2019 National Freshman of the Year JT Ginn.
Â
Head coach Chris Lemonis enters his second season after posting the most victories (52) by a first-year SEC head coach in the conference's history and becoming just the third SEC first-year dugout boss to guide a team to Omaha. State finished the 2019 campaign ranked among the top five in each of the major national polls.
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The Bulldogs open the 2020 season with a three-game series at Dudy Noble Field against Horizon League champion Wright State from Feb. 14-16. The season opener is slated for 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. The series continues with a 2 p.m. start on Saturday, Feb. 15 and 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Â
Ticket Information
While reserved seating season tickets are sold out for the 34th straight season, general admission/standing room only season tickets are available for a cost of $199.
Â
New for the 2020 season, the Mobile Access Pass will provide access to unused chairback seats at Dudy Noble Field. The Mobile Access Pass provides a GA/SRO ticket for all games on the 2020 home schedule, while also offering upgraded access on a game-by-game basis to the unused chairback seats for all home weekend series – excluding Super Bulldog Weekend. The cost for the Mobile Access Pass is $225.
Â
The Mobile Access Pass and GA/SRO season tickets can be purchased at the Mississippi State Ticket Office, located in the Bryan Building off of Lakeview Drive. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or online at hailstate.com/tickets.
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