Baseball Earns Second Preseason Top-10 Ranking
January 08, 2020 | Baseball
State among five SEC program ranked among the top 10 in Perfect Game’s preseason poll
STARKVILLE – As workouts get started around the country in front of the 2020 college baseball season, the Mississippi State baseball program has earned its second top-10 ranking of the preseason, this time from Perfect Game, who has tabbed the Bulldogs No. 8 in its preseason poll.
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The preseason No. 8 ranking come after Collegiate Baseball Newspaper tabbed the Diamond Dawgs No. 6 in its preseason poll in December.
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Eight of MSU's 2020 opponents will begin the season either ranked or receiving votes in Perfect Game's poll, with four among the top 10 programs entering the year. Non-Conference opponents Oregon State (RV) and Texas Tech (No. 3) join six ranked SEC opponents on the schedule: Arkansas (No. 4), LSU (No. 20), Auburn (No. 6), Texas A&M (No. 22) and Vanderbilt (No. 2).
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Overall, the SEC boasts nine ranked teams, with Georgia (No. 10) and Florida (No. 13) also earning a spot one Perfect Game's preseason lis.
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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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The quartet of Allen, Foscue, Ginn and Westburg have each earned Preseason All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Perfect Game. Allen, Foscue and Ginn each ended the 2019 campaign with All-America accolades, while Westburg joins Foscue and Ginn on MLBPipeline's list of top-100 prospects for the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft.
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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.
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The preseason No. 8 ranking come after Collegiate Baseball Newspaper tabbed the Diamond Dawgs No. 6 in its preseason poll in December.
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Eight of MSU's 2020 opponents will begin the season either ranked or receiving votes in Perfect Game's poll, with four among the top 10 programs entering the year. Non-Conference opponents Oregon State (RV) and Texas Tech (No. 3) join six ranked SEC opponents on the schedule: Arkansas (No. 4), LSU (No. 20), Auburn (No. 6), Texas A&M (No. 22) and Vanderbilt (No. 2).
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Overall, the SEC boasts nine ranked teams, with Georgia (No. 10) and Florida (No. 13) also earning a spot one Perfect Game's preseason lis.
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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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The quartet of Allen, Foscue, Ginn and Westburg have each earned Preseason All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Perfect Game. Allen, Foscue and Ginn each ended the 2019 campaign with All-America accolades, while Westburg joins Foscue and Ginn on MLBPipeline's list of top-100 prospects for the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft.
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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.
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.
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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.
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