Diamond Dawgs Set To Host Missouri State

STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State baseball team returns to Dudy Noble Field for a three-game series against Missouri State University starting on Friday afternoon.

Friday's first pitch has been moved up to 2 p.m. because of the forecasted cold weather and prioritizing player safety.

All three games of the series will be televised on SEC Network+ and will also be carried on the Bulldog Sports Network powered by Learfield, along with a live audio stream via HailState.com/OnDemand.

Gameday Info
Friday, Feb. 21 (2 p.m.)
Probable Starters
MSU: Pico Kohn (1-0, 0.00 ERA), LHP, Jr.
Missouri State: Michael Yusypchuk (0-0, 3.86 ERA), RHP, Fr.

Live Video: hailst.at/4i7UvKW
Live Audio: hailstate.com/OnDemand
Live Stats: hailst.at/StatBroadcast

Saturday, Feb. 22 (2 p.m.)
Probable Starters
MSU: Karson Ligon (1-0, 2.25 ERA), RHP, Sr.
Missouri State: Jackson Holmes (0-1, 16.20 ERA), RHP, Sr.

Live Video: hailst.at/4i7EuET
Live Audio: hailstate.com/OnDemand
Live Stats: hailst.at/StatBroadcast

Sunday, Feb. 23 (1 p.m.)
Probable Starters
MSU: Stone Simmons (1-0, 0.00 ERA), LHP, Sr.
Missouri State: Tyler Charlton (1-0, 1.69 ERA), LHP, So.

Live Video: hailst.at/3ENbTqe
Live Audio: hailstate.com/OnDemand
Live Stats: hailst.at/StatBroadcast

Quick Hitters

After the first weekend of play, the Diamond Dawgs are ranked in the Baseball America (No. 16), D1 Baseball (No. 18) and the NCBWA (No. 17). The USA Today Coaches Top 25 will be updated next Monday.
The Diamond Dawgs pen will have a familiar face in in this year with Stone Simmons returning from injury. The senior missed the entire 2023 and 2024 season because of an injury. On Sunday, Simmons made his return to the mound in a Bulldog uniform. It was his first appearance in 1,079 days. His last outing was on March 5, 2022. In his start on Sunday, Simmons went three innings, struck out five batters, a single-game career high at MSU.
The Dude Effect is alive and well. Reserved seating has once again sold out for the season. Mississippi State has sold out reserved seating since 1987.
Noah Sullivan earned preseason All-American honors by the NCBWA as a two-way player. Last season, Sullivan finished 8-1 on the mound through 75 and 2/3 innings of work and hit .324 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs while at USC Upstate as a utility player.
Hunter Hines bat is a thing to watch for the 2025 season as he was named Pre-season First Team All-SEC First Baseman. Hines is ranked fourth in program history with 55 career home runs, 12 home runs shy of tying for first in program history, which is held by Rafael Palmeiro. Hines' 55 career home runs are the most among any active player in the SEC.
Mississippi State is great at turning out major league talent, with 70 Diamond Dawgs reaching the highest level of the sport, but it is also great at keeping student-athletes on campus.

Scouting the Opponent – Missouri State

Missouri State is coming off a series win over Sam Houston. Missouri State enters the weekend with a 2-1 record. Their midweek game as canceled because of weather.
Taeg Gollert and Nick Rodriguez lead the Bear's offense both with a .500 batting average.
Rodriguez leads the team with three doubles through the first three games. He has had five hits through 10 plate appearances.
Gollert is also 5-for-10 at the plate through the first three games with a double and three RBIs.
Tyler Charlton leads the Bear's bullpen. Charlton holds a 1.69 ERA with seven punchouts through 5.1 innings of work.

Series Notes

Mississippi State leads the all-time series 1-0.
The last meeting between these two clubs was in 1991. Mississippi State took home the win 10-2.

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 X, Facebook and Instagram.

Diamond Dawgs Set To Host Missouri State

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hunter Hines

Pico Kohn

Karson Ligon

Stone Simmons

Noah Sullivan

Mississippi State University Athletics

Diamond Dawgs Set To Host Missouri State

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hunter Hines

Pico Kohn

Karson Ligon

Stone Simmons

Noah Sullivan

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