Diamond Dawg Gameday: vs. No. 1 Tennessee

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State will host No. 1-ranked Tennessee in the final regular-season series of the campaign beginning with the opener set for 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, May 19, at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.

Thursday's series opener will air nationally on SEC Network with Tom Hart and Kyle Peterson on the call, while all three games will be available on SEC Network+. The series will also be carried on the Mississippi State Sports Network powered by Learfield along with a live audio stream via HailState.com/plus. Click HERE for a full list of the 2022 MSU Baseball Radio Affiliates.

Mississippi State will honor its senior class throughout the weekend series. On Friday night, those Bulldogs who have earned their degrees this semester will participate in a pregame graduation ceremony at Dudy Noble Field. Prior to Saturday's first pitch, the traditional senior day ceremony will take place for the Diamond Dawgs.

GAME COVERAGE

Thursday, May 19 – 6 p.m. | SEC Network | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Friday, May 20 – 6 p.m. | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Saturday, May 21 – 2 p.m. | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats

THE ROTATION

Thursday, May 19
- MSU: Brandon Smith, RHP, Jr. (3-4, 4.99 ERA, 18-7 APP-GS, 61.1 IP, 57 SO, 17 BB)
- UT: Chase Dollander, RHP, So. (7-0, 2.54 ERA, 12-10 APP-GS, 56.2 IP, 84 SO, 8 BB)
Friday, May 20
- MSU: Preston Johnson, RHP, Jr. (3-3, 5.55 ERA, 13-12 APP-GS, 71.1 IP, 107 SO, 37 BB)
- UT: Chase Burns, RHP, Fr. (7-1, 2.34 ERA, 13-12 APP-GS, 61.2 IP, 82 SO, 22 BB)
Saturday, May 21
- MSU: Cade Smith, RHP, So. (4-3, 3.66 ERA, 13-13 APP-GS, 71.1 IP, 65 SO, 35 BB)
- UT: Drew Beam, RHP, Fr. (8-1, 2.54 ERA, 13-12 APP-GS, 67.1 IP, 54 SO, 12 BB)

SERIES HISTORY

Mississippi State and Tennessee will meet for the 92nd time in Thursday's series opener in Starkville. The Dawgs own a 60-31 record over the Vols in the series. The series between State and Tennessee dates back to the 1917 season when the Diamond Dawgs won by a score of 7-4 in Starkville.

Mississippi State has won three of the last five meetings and swept Tennessee the last time the two teams met in Starkville during the 2017 season. Tennessee won the most recent meeting, which came during the 2021 SEC Tournament. In that game, the Vols defeated State, 12-2, in eight innings to eliminate the Dawgs in Hoover.

In 2019, State traveled to Knoxville and came away with a series victory with an 11-inning 6-3 win in the opener and a 7-5 win over the Vols in the finale. UT won game two of the series by a score of 2-1.

Mississippi State leads the all-time series 35-11 in games played in Starkville, while the Dawgs hold a 45-22 advantage in the series when it comes to SEC meetings.

DAWG BITES

Mississippi State enters the final weekend of the regular season with a 26-27 overall record through 53 games, including a 9-18 record in conference play. The Dawgs are 18-11 this season in games played at Dudy Noble Field.

State is currently ranked 12th in the country and fourth in the SEC with 91 home runs on the season. Hunter Hines ranks fourth nationally among freshmen with 15 home runs, while RJ Yeager leads the team with 17 home runs on the season, including 13 that have come in SEC games.

Offensively, the Diamond Dawgs are hitting .279 as a team with 93 doubles, 5 triples and 91 home runs on the season. MSU is out-scoring opponents 379-313 on the season.

On the mound, opponents are hitting .254 against the Dawgs' pitching staff, while MSU pitchers have struck out 562 batters and walked 247 in 462.2 innings.

Second baseman RJ Yeager is hitting .455 (10-for-22) in the last five games with three doubles, a triple and a home run, while he is batting a team-best .342 (41-for-120) in league play. His 13 home runs in SEC games is tied for first in the conference, while his 41 hits in league play is also tied for first among.

With three games left in the regular-season, Mississippi State is approaching a pair of team and individual school home run records.

Hunter Hines has 15 home runs in his rookie campaign, which is three shy of tying the school's freshman home run record of 18, which was set by Rafael Palmeiro during the 1983 season.

As a team, the Diamond Dawgs are six home runs shy of tying the school record for home runs in a season. The 1998 Dawgs hold the top spot with 97 home runs. State's 91 home runs this season ranks third in school history.

THE COMPETITION

Opponent: No. 1 Tennessee
2022 Record: 46-7, 22-5 SEC

Tennessee enters the series ranked No. 1 in the nation after posting a 46-7 overall record and 22-5 mark in SEC play. UT has already clinched the SEC regular-season championship and the top seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament.

The Vols head to Starkville as the national leaders in home runs (126) and slugging percentage (.605). UT ranks in the top five in the country in walks (3rd), runs scored (4th) and on-base percentage (5th).

On the mound, Tennessee's pitching staff leads the country in ERA (2.32), WHIP (0.94), hits allowed per nine innings (2.43) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.48).

PROMOTIONS/GIVEAWAYS

Friday, May 20 – First Pitch: 6 p.m.

Friday Night Fireworks – Friday Night Fireworks presented by Pearl River Resort return to Dudy Noble Field this season! Fireworks will begin following the completion of Friday's game between Mississippi State and Tennessee.

Saturday, May 21 – First Pitch: 2 p.m.

Trading Card Giveaway – Fans in attendance for the series finale will receive the fourth and final set of Mississippi State Baseball trading cards upon entry into the stadium (while supplies last).

TICKET INFORMATION

While all reserved seats are SOLD OUT, general admission tickets are available for this weekend's series for purchase for only $15. Individual game general admission-standing room only tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased online at HailState.com/tickets. Patrons with general admission/SRO tickets are advised to arrive early. General admission tickets are good for admission into the gates for berm and standing room access only. With record crowds filling Dudy Noble all season, fans are encouraged to avoid the game day ticket office lines and purchase your tickets online in advance.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the baseball program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateBB' on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Diamond Dawg Gameday: vs. No. 1 Tennessee

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hunter Hines

Preston Johnson

Brandon Smith

Cade Smith

RJ Yeager

Mississippi State University Athletics

Diamond Dawg Gameday: vs. No. 1 Tennessee

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hunter Hines

Preston Johnson

Brandon Smith

Cade Smith

RJ Yeager

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