BATON ROUGE, La. - Mississippi State (20-29, 7-17 SEC) opens its final conference road series of the 2008 campaign Friday, taking on the SEC West-leading Louisiana State Tigers (32-16-1) in the first game of a three-game set at Alex Box Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. (CDT). The series closes out a season-longest eight-game road run for State.
This year’s MSU-LSU series has added historical significance, marking Ron Polk’s final coaching match ups with longtime divisional rival LSU as well as the final weekend of regular season play at LSU’s venerable Alex Box Stadium. The MSU skipper is stepping down at State following the 2008 season, ending a 35-year career as a collegiate head coach, 29 of those at Mississippi State. And LSU will begin its 2009 campaign at new Alex Box Stadium, replacing the current facility that has served as the home for LSU baseball since 1938.
Junior right-hander Chad Crosswhite (2-4, 9.33) will open on the mound for the Bulldogs while LSU will start junior lefty Ryan Verdugo (7-2, 2.86).
Former Mississippi State All-American and MLB All-Star Will Clark spoke to the team prior to its Thursday night practice at Alex Box Stadium.
Mississippi State topped Middle Tennessee State 4-3 Wednesday night in Winchester, Tenn., giving the Bulldogs a split of their two-game neutral site series. LSU, idle in the midweek, enters the series with nine consecutive wins and a tie in their last 10 games and atop the SEC Western Division standings.
Polk is 70-56 lifetime against LSU, including a 4-3 mark in two seasons while head coach at Georgia (2000 and 2001). He is 34-30 lifetime at Alex Box Stadium and 27-29 against LSU on the Tigers’ home field since 1976.
Saturday’s game will begin at 3 p.m. and is set for a live telecast on FOX Sports Net South, while Sunday’s series-finale begins at 1 p.m.
The Bulldogs conclude their 2008 regular season schedule with four home games next week. State hosts Memphis Tuesday, May 13 (6:30 p.m.) and then entertains SEC West rival Arkansas in a Thursday-Friday-Saturday series May 15-17 at Dudy Noble Field. MSU will salute its five seniors prior to next Friday’s 6:30 p.m. MSU-Arkansas contest and will pay tribute to Ron Polk will special ceremonies before Saturday’s 3 p.m. game, also set for televising by FOX Sports Net South.
