No. 9 Bulldogs Continue Homestand Against UAB
April 06, 2026 | Baseball
STARKVILLE — No. 9 Mississippi State returns to Dudy Noble Field on Tuesday night looking to get back in the win column as it hosts UAB in a midweek matchup at 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.
The Diamond Dawgs (25-7) have been dominant at home, posting an 18-3 record in Starkville this season while riding a 23-game winning streak in non-conference games at Dudy Noble Field dating back to last year.
MSU will send junior right-hander Chris Billingsley Jr. to the mound for his third start of the season. The Brent, Alabama native is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA across 10 appearances, striking out nine over 11 innings. Billingsley has shown flashes of reliability in both starting and relief roles and has started the past two midweek wins against then 11th-ranked Southern Miss and Grambling.
UAB will counter with sophomore right-hander Justin Hicks, who enters at 2-1 with a 5.49 ERA. Hicks has recorded 18 strikeouts with just five walks this season and will be tasked with slowing down one of the nation's most dangerous lineups.
Mississippi State enters the contest looking to bounce back after a tough SEC series against a top-five Georgia team, but the Bulldogs have still won seven of their last 10 games and remain among the nation's top programs.
The Bulldogs' offense continues to be a major strength. State is hitting .328 as a team with 52 home runs and a .434 on-base percentage, consistently putting pressure on opposing pitching staffs. Graduate outfielder Bryce Chance has set the tone in the lineup, leading the SEC with a .412 batting average while piling up 11 multi-hit games.
All-American third baseman Ace Reese anchors the middle of the order with nine home runs and 40 RBIs, while Gehrig Frei and Ryder Woodson provide depth and balance throughout the lineup. The Diamond Dawgs have consistently produced runs in bunches and rank among the national leaders in multiple offensive categories.
On the mound, MSU has been just as impressive. The Bulldogs carry a 3.41 ERA with 369 strikeouts in 272 innings, limiting opponents to a .214 batting average. The staff's ability to miss bats and limit hard contact has been a key factor in the team's success.
UAB (22-10) comes in with a capable offense, hitting .291 with 50 home runs, but has been inconsistent on the mound with a 6.36 team ERA. That contrast could play into Mississippi State's strengths if the Bulldogs are able to settle in early.
Mississippi State has controlled the all-time series, holding a 39-10 advantage and winning six-straight meetings against the Blazers.
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.
