State Tests South Alabama Tuesday To Open Homestand
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State opens a seven-game homestand this week when the Bulldogs (9-12) entertain Sun Belt Conference foe South Alabama (12-10) in a pair of midweek games at Dudy Noble Field. Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. series-opener will be the 59th meeting on the diamond between the two schools.
State plays host to SEC East foe Georgia this weekend during Super Bulldog Weekend on the MSU campus and then closes out the home stand next week with a pair of midweek matchups against Austin Peay.
Righthander Greg Houston (0-0, 5.84) is set to open on the mound for the Bulldogs Tuesday. It will be the sixth appearance and first career start for the sophomore from Birmingham, Ala. South Alabama has designated sophomore lefty Chris LaGrow (0-0, 3.00) for the Tuesday start, his second of an injury-slowed campaign.
Junior outfielder Grant Hogue (.404) paces the Bulldogs at the plate. The Bulldog lead-off hitter compiled an 11-game hitting streak earlier this season and begins the final week of March competition riding a team-best five-game hitting streak. The Hattiesburg, Miss., product tallied a team-high five hits in the South Carolina series and registered his SEC-leading 14th stolen base. Freshmen Jason Nappi (.380), following his SEC-record 11-RBI, 3-home run offensive display at UAB last week, continues to lead the club with seven home runs and 27 RBI. Sophomore third baseman Connor Powers drove in three of MSU's five runs on the weekend with his sixth home run of the season.
Senior second baseman Ryne Jernigan (.373) enters the series leading the Jaguars with five home runs and 31 RBI.
The teams conclude the series with a 6:30 p.m. game Wednesday.