Diamond Dogs Host Jags On
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State embarks on its 18-game March baseball schedule Tuesday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field when the Bulldogs (4-3) take on the South Alabama Jaguars (5-3). First pitch is set for 4 p.m., and the game will be broadcast locally on WFCA-FM (107.9) with live internet audio and video available on MSU's official athletics department web site (www.MStateAthletics.com/m2mlive).
Freshman left-hander Luke Bole (0-0, 9.00), who worked two innings in a no-decision career-opening start last week against UAB, has been tabbed as the Bulldogs' starter. South Alabama has not declared its starting pitcher.
The Bulldogs are eager to break back into the win column after dropping all three games of a weekend series to unbeaten Southeastern Louisiana.
Junior shortstop Jonathan Ogden went 7-for-13 (.538) to lead the Bulldogs at the plate in the series. Ogden and senior third baseman Russ Sneed enter the South Alabama game riding five-game hitting streaks.
Senior first baseman Connor Powers belted his SEC-leading fourth home run of the campaign against SLU. Powers leads the team with 10 RBI.
Junior outfielder Taylor White paces the Jags with 13 hits, a .500 batting average and seven stolen bases. Senior outfielder Sean Laird (.414) leads South Alabama with four home runs and 11 RBI through eight games.
Tuesday's game is the 63rd meeting on the diamond between the Bulldogs and the Jaguars. State holds a 38-24 all-time series lead, but the two teams split their two meetings in both 2008 and 2009. MSU prevailed in Starkville last spring 5-1 before South Alabama earned a season series split with a 17-12 decision in Mobile.
Fans can purchase dollar hot dogs at the stadium concession stand as part of Bryan Food's "Dollar Dog Tuesday" promotion on Tuesday games at Dudy Noble Field.
MSU continues its season-opening 13-game home stand this weekend when the Bulldogs host Michigan State and Southeast Missouri State in the BankFirst Baseball Challenge. The double round-robin event begins Friday when Michigan State takes on Southeast Missouri at 12:30 p.m. and MSU tests Southeast Missouri State at 4 p.m. Game times are set for 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Basketball parking restrictions will be enforced during Saturday's doubleheader. Mississippi State closes out its 2009-10 home basketball schedule with a nationally-televised 5 p.m. game against the Tennessee Volunteers in Humphrey Coliseum.