Diamond Dawg Gameday: Mississippi Valley State

by: Greg Campbell, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – The No. 2 Mississippi State baseball program is in the midst of playing nine games in 12 days and will host Mississippi Valley State in a non-conference tilt on Tuesday (March 26) at Dudy Noble Field.

The Diamond Dawgs remained in the No. 2 spot in the majority of the national polls after taking two of three games from Auburn at home over the weekend. The combined crowd of 32,258 over the weekend saw MSU score 40 combined runs, including a 20-15 come-from-behind win on Sunday over Auburn to help State earn the series win over the Tigers.

MSU (22-3) will put its 8-0 record in midweek games on the line against Mississippi Valley State (5-8). The Delta Devils just swept three games on the road against Alcorn State.

Gameday Info
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Probable Starters
MSU: Eric Cerantola, RHP, Fr.
MVSU: Nicholas Johnson, LHP, So.

Live Video: https://hailst.at/2ustxrK
Live Audio: https://hailst.at/audio
Live Stats: https://hailst.at/2ut4Iw4

Along with the audio stream, the contest will be carried on the Mississippi State Baseball Radio Network and WKBB 100.9 in Starkville.

Quick Hitters

State has pushed its name into the top five in all six major polls, including a No. 2 ranking in five of those, marking the highest ranking for the program since 2016. MORE ON PAGE 5 & 6
Senior Elijah MacNamee and sophomore Jordan Westburg picked up back-to-back SEC Player of the Week honors on March 18 and 25.
MORE ON PAGE 8
MSU is off to its best start since the 2006 season at 22-3. The 2006 squad won 18-straight to begin that season. MORE ON PAGE 6
Senior Jake Mangum has moved into the top-15 on the all-time SEC hits list and continues to chase the Mississippi State and SEC all-time hit records. MORE ON PAGE 9
State piled up 20 runs to account for the first 20-run outburst since 2010. The 20 runs are the most in an SEC game since 2000.
MORE ON PAGE 6
Redshirt-junior Ethan Small ranks No. 5 nationally in strikeouts (58) in the latest NCAA statistical rankings.
MORE ON PAGE 6, 9 & 21
Head coach Chris Lemonis won his first four games as Mississippi State skipper. Lemonis is one of nine MSU head coaches to win his first career game and one of three to start 4-0 or better.
BIO ON PAGE 3, MORE ON PAGE 7

Series Notes
Mississippi Valley State

Mississippi State and Mississippi Valley State have met 26 times prior to Tuesday's meeting in Starkville, with the Bulldogs owning a 26-0 edge on the all-time ledger.
The two teams first met in 1994, with MSU taking a 14-0 victory. The last meeting was a 5-0 State victory in 2017.
Since the initial meeting in 1994, the two teams have met in 20 of the last 25 seasons, including multiple meetings in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012.

Promotions
Tuesday's game with be 'The Office' night at the New Dude, with "World's Best" coffee mugs available while supplies last. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

All midweek games again in 2019 will feature $2 tickets, as well as concession stands serving the $2 menu all season long at the New Dude.

The Drew Wilson 'Lil Dudes Zone located beyond the right field wall will be available when gates open, weather dependent.

For all regular season home games at Dudy Noble, MSU students will be admitted into the games for free with their student ID and Bully's Kids Club members will also receive free admission.

Fans can upgrade their game day experience with multiple options throughout the year from HailState.com/memories.

Dudy Noble Field Policies
Gates open two hours before first pitch on game day and the stadium gates will close one hour after the conclusion of each game. The right field terrace is a public, grill-free, first come first served area. Should fans wish to purchase ice at Dudy Noble, they will be able to do so behind the center field wall in the Left Field Lounge.

Approved coolers cannot exceed the maximum size of 10" by 10" by 10" after gates open, with coolers exceeding the restriction size prohibited. Other prohibited items include alcoholic beverages, smoking (in all areas), weapons, fireworks, electric power generators, pets, non-approved banners and signs, bicycles, any illegal substances, carts, wagons, wheeled supply carriers, personal tailgate tents (on concourse or lawn areas) and lawn chairs on sidewalks or concourse areas.

All bags are subject to search and security screening, along with items prohibited from being stored along stadium fencing and gates. MSU encourages fans to leave all unnecessary and prohibited items at home or in their vehicles to expedite security and screening procedures.

Tickets
Tickets for all of MSU's home games can be purchased through HailState.com/tickets.

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.".

Diamond Dawg Gameday: Mississippi Valley State

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Eric Cerantola

Elijah MacNamee

Jake Mangum

Ethan Small

Jordan Westburg

Mississippi State University Athletics

Diamond Dawg Gameday: Mississippi Valley State

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Eric Cerantola

Elijah MacNamee

Jake Mangum

Ethan Small

Jordan Westburg

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