Mississippi State
Southern Miss
Bulldogs Set For Top 15 In-State Battle
March 23, 2026 | Baseball
STARKVILLE - A surging top-15 showdown arrives at Dudy Noble Field on Tuesday night as No. 6 Mississippi State returns home to face No. 11 Southern Miss, renewing one of the South's most compelling in-state rivalries with both clubs carrying national momentum.
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.
The Diamond Dawgs (20-4) bring a four-game winning streak into the matchup and have been nearly unbeatable in Starkville, where MSU owns a 16-0 record this season and an 18-game home winning streak dating back to last year. The Bulldogs have turned Dudy Noble Field into a fortress, going 23-1 at home since late April of 2025.
State's high-powered offense has been the driving force behind its rise into the top six nationally. The Bulldogs lead the SEC with a .343 team batting average and rank among the nation's leaders in slugging percentage and extra-base hits, including 66 doubles on the year.
Graduate outfielder Bryce Chance has been the tone-setter for MSU, entering the game with a league-leading .457 batting average. He headlines a deep lineup that features All-American talent in Ace Reese and Noah Sullivan, giving the Diamond Dawgs production from top to bottom. Reese has emerged as one of the premier power hitters in the country, while Sullivan continues to provide consistency and run production in the middle of the order.
Southern Miss (19-5) presents a different kind of challenge. The Golden Eagles rely on one of the nation's most effective pitching staffs, entering with a 2.90 team ERA and a reputation for limiting big innings. Their ability to control the strike zone and keep hitters off balance will be tested against one of the SEC's most dangerous lineups.
MSU is expected to start junior right-hander Chris Billingsley Jr., who has worked exclusively out of the bullpen this season but has shown flashes of effectiveness in limited innings. The Bulldogs will look for him to set the tone early in his first-career start at the Division I level.
Southern Miss is projected to counter with right-hander Thomas Crabtree, a strikeout-oriented arm who has piled up 20 punchouts this season and will be tasked with navigating State's potent offense.
The matchup also carries added intrigue after the Golden Eagles edged Mississippi State 7-6 earlier this month in Hattiesburg. The Bulldogs will look to even the season series while extending their all-time advantage, which currently stands at 87-46.
First-year head coach Brian O'Connor has quickly put his stamp on the program, guiding State to a 20-4 start and national prominence. With a roster blending veteran production and impact transfers, MSU has emerged as one of the most complete teams in the country.
With two top-15 teams squaring off under the lights in Starkville, another electric atmosphere is expected at The Dude as the Bulldogs look to protect their home streak and strengthen their national résumé.
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