Diamond Dogs Open Home Slate Tuesday Against UAB
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State opens its 31-game home schedule and a season-longest run of 14 consecutive games at Dudy Noble Field Tuesday afternoon when the Bulldogs tangle with the UAB Blazers (2-2).
Opening day player introductions are set to begin at 3:55 p.m. and MSU Manager of Transportation Services Everett Kennard is scheduled throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The radio broadcast of the game can be heard on WFCA-FM (107.9), the flagship radio station for MSU athletics, while the live webcast of the game will be available on "Maroon to the Max", the premium extension of MSU Athletics’ official website, www.MStateAthletics.com.
The Bulldogs (1-2) successfully ushered in their 118th season of baseball Friday in Jacksonville, Fla., posting an 8-2 win over the University of North Florida in a game played at Jacksonville’s minor league park, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. UNF rebounded to take the series with 17-9 and 11-6 wins. The Blazers split a four-game home series in Birmingham against Ball State, winning 8-7 and 11-10 and bowing 3-2 and 15-8.
A pair of young lefties who made brief relief appearances in last Friday’s season-openers for MSU and UAB are set to square off in Tuesday’s 37th renewal of the MSU-UAB baseball series. The Bulldogs will open with freshman Forrest Moore of Baton Rouge, La., while the Blazers, coached by former MSU assistant coach Brian Shoop, have designated sophomore southpaw Shay Crawford for game-opening duties. Moore, the son of former MSU football standout Dana Moore, struck out three in two innings of scoreless relief last Friday against UNF.
Mississippi State has claimed 11 straight and 14 of the last 15 in the series, including last year's 12-10 decision at Dudy Noble Field.
Freshman DH Jason Nappi of Birmingham, Ala., sparkled at the plate in his Mississippi State debut, collecting seven hits in 10 at-bats (.700), leading MSU with five runs scored and three extra-base hits. Nappi, one of 11 Bulldogs to make their collegiate debuts during the weekend, reached base in 10 of his 12 plate appearances.
Sophomore infielder Russ Sneed of Senatobia, Miss., also hit safely in all three, extending his two-season hitting streak to a career-best 10 games.
The Bulldogs continue their home stand this weekend when State entertains first-time foe Air Force in a three-game series. Saturday’s MSU-AFA game has been designated Scout Day at Dudy Noble Field, with area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts attending the game as guests of the Baseball Bulldogs.