Diamond Dogs, Jaguars Resume Rivalry Wednesday
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State hits the midpoint of its current nine-game homestand Wednesday night when the Bulldogs (16-16, 3-9 SEC) play host to long-time non-conference rival South Alabama (23-13) in a 6:30 p.m. game at Dudy Noble Field. The game, originally scheduled to be played Tuesday, Mar. 2, was postponed due to poor weather conditions. The Game 8 season ticket will be honored at Wednesday's game.
As with all Wednesday games at Dudy Noble Field this spring, all service personnel will receive complimentary "Military Appreciation Day" admission to the game upon presentation of a military identification card at the stadium ticket office. General admission tickets cost $5 and go on sale at the stadium ticket office two hours prior to first pitch.
The game also features a special Wednesday night edition of the popular "Dollar Dog Day" promotion, sponsored by Bryan Foods. Fans can purchase hot dogs for a dollar at the stadium's main concession stand.
The Bulldogs, sporting a No. 36 NCAA RPI national ranking, split last year's contests, winning 5-1 in Starkville and bowing 17-12 in Mobile.
State has won seven of its last nine meetings with the Jaguars and holds a 38-24 all-time lead in the series that got its start in 1976.
Freshman lefty Luke Bole (1-0, 7.56) is expected to draw the fourth start of his young career Wednesday night, working opposite Jaguar junior right-hander Lance Brown (1-2, 9.53). Bole earned his first win with a career-best 5.1-inning start Mar. 7 against Michigan State.
Senior first baseman Connor Powers (.371, 9 HR) paces the Bulldogs at the plate and leads the SEC with 45 RBI. Last weekend he raised his career RBI total to 183, climbing past former MSU standout Tracy Echols into eighth place among MSU's career RBI leaders. Another Bulldog senior infielder, Jet Butler (.337), enters the week riding a six-game hitting streak. His 11-game hitting streak compiled earlier this season stands as the team's longest in 2010.
South Alabama carried an impressive .327 team batting average into a Tuesday night home game against Nicholls State. Senior outfielder Sean Laird opened the week with a .412 batting average, 20-extra-base hits and 39 RBI. Junior third baseman Jake Overstreet (.390) paces the club with seven home runs and 54 RBI.
The Diamond Dogs usher in Super Bulldog Weekend presented by Regions Bank Friday at Dudy Noble Field with a series-opening 6:30 p.m. contest against the Tennessee Volunteers (16-17, 3-9 SEC). The teams meet again Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.