Diamond Dawg Gameday: host LSU

STARKVILLE – Dudy Noble Field will host its second-straight top-15 matchup, as the No. 2 Mississippi State baseball program hosts LSU in a three-game series beginning on Thursday (March 28). Thursday's game will air live on ESPNU from the Left Field Lofts, while Friday's game will be aired on the SEC Network.

The series will run from Thursday, March 28-Saturday, March 30, with Tom Hart and Kyle Peterson calling the action on Thursday and Friday on the broadcast.

Mississippi State will look to earn its third-straight series win to start SEC play, after taking two of three games at then-No. 4 Florida and against then-No. 16 Auburn. The Bulldogs are off to their best start since 1979 with a 23-3 record.

Gameday Info
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Probable Starters
MSU: Ethan Small, LHP, R-Jr.
LSU: Zack Hess, RHP, Jr.

Live Video: https://hailst.at/2UdmamI
Live Audio: https://hailst.at/audio
Live Stats: https://hailst.at/2UermXb

Friday, March 29, 2019
Probable Starters
MSU: JT Ginn, RHP, Fr.
LSU: Cole Henry, RHP, Fr

Live Video: https://hailst.at/2UdZtP1
Live Audio: https://hailst.at/audio
Live Stats: https://hailst.at/2Uagw4N

Saturday, March 30, 2019
Probable Starters
MSU: TBA
LSU: Eric Walker, RHP, So.

Live Video: https://hailst.at/2Uk6cqG
Live Audio: https://hailst.at/audio
Live Stats: https://hailst.at/2Ujioba

All games will be available locally on 96.1 FM, while Thursday and Saturday's contests can be heard on the Mississippi State Sports Network. Each game this weekend will also be available via audio stream at HailState.com.

Quick Hitters

With an 18-run outburst on Tuesday against Mississippi Valley State, the 2019 squad accomplished something that only two other Diamond Dawg programs have done. MORE ON PAGE 6
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
Mississippi State and LSU have met 397 times prior to this weekend's three-game series in Starkville. MSU owns a 212-184-1 edge on the all-time ledger. MORE ON PAGE 5
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-10 on the all-time SEC hits list and continues to chase the Mississippi State and SEC all-time hit records. MORE ON PAGE 9
Redshirt-junior Ethan Small ranks No. 5 nationally in strikeouts (58) in the latest NCAA statistical rankings.
MORE ON PAGE 7, 10 & 23
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
MSU/LSU

Mississippi State and LSU have met 397 times prior to this weekend's three-game series in Starkville, with MSU owning a 212-184-1 edge on the all-time ledger.
The first meeting between the two programs came in 1907, with LSU taking two of three games in Starkville.
Each team has four winning streaks in the series of at least seven games, with Mississippi State owning the longest winning streak at nine games (1911-1915).
A tie in 1917 was followed by two more Bulldog wins, making it a 12-game unbeaten streak.
LSU's longest winning streak has been eight games on three occasions, winning all eight games in 1975, claiming eight straight between 1991 and 1992 and running off eight-straight wins from April 24, 2016-March 29, 2018.
Over the last 10 games, LSU is 9-1 against Mississippi State.

Promotions
Thursday: Commemorative Rafael Palmeiro baseballs will be available to the first 1,000 Fans, while live music will be in the plaza prior to the game. Along with Atlanta Braves' organist Matthew Kaminski playing during the game, there will be a special Thursday Night Postgame Fireworks, featuring Music of the 90's.

Friday: Much like Thursday, there will be live music in the plaza prior to the game and Atlanta Braves' organist Matthew Kaminski playing during the game. Then, following the contest, the first Friday Night Fireworks presented by Marathon will light up the sky to the soundtrack of The Sandlot.

Saturday: More live music in the plaza prior to the game and a full weekend of Atlanta Braves' organist Matthew Kaminski playing during the game. Also, every Sunday is Kids Day at the Park, presented by Le Bohneur, with Kids Run the Bases Postgame (weather permitting).

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: host LSU

Next Event

Players Mentioned

JT Ginn

Elijah MacNamee

Jake Mangum

Ethan Small

Jordan Westburg

Mississippi State University Athletics

Diamond Dawg Gameday: host LSU

Next Event

Players Mentioned

JT Ginn

Elijah MacNamee

Jake Mangum

Ethan Small

Jordan Westburg

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