Diamond Dogs Open Second Half Of Campaign Hosting JSU Tuesday
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State opens the second half of its 2010 season and a nine-game homestand Tuesday when the Bulldogs (15-13, 3-6 SEC) play host to Jackson State (14-10, 5-3 SWAC). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Dudy Noble Field, and the game will be broadcast on the 14-station MSU Baseball Radio Network. Live online audio and video streaming of the game is also available to subscribers of MSU's "Maroon to the Max" (www.MStateAthletics.com/m2mlive).
It is the first of two MSU-JSU meetings on the diamond this year. The two teams are also scheduled to square off May 4 at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. MSU holds a 49-7 all-time series lead and has claimed the last 22 meetings, the most recent a 14-2 decision in Starkville in 2005.
Stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m. and fans can treat themselves at the Dudy Noble Field main concession stand to specially-priced hot dogs on "Dollar Dog Night", sponsored by Bryan Foods.
Mississippi State knocked off 12th-ranked and SEC East-leading South Carolina 8-7 Saturday for its first SEC road win and the Bulldogs'
first conquest of a ranked opponent this season. Senior outfielder Luke Adkins (.323) set the pace at the plate for the Bulldogs over the past four games, going 5-for-15 (.333) and belting his second and third roundtrippers of the year.
Freshman righty Chris Stratton (3-3. 3.75) notched his first career SEC win in Saturday's 8-7 decision over the Gamecocks while sophomore righty Caleb Reed (0-2, 4.31) set a career-high and matched a team season-best with an 8.0-inning relief stint in Friday's series-opener at South Carolina.
Freshman lefty C.C. Watson (2-1, 3.27) is expected to make his second start of the campaign for MSU.
The Bulldogs continue league competition on the home field this weekend. State takes on Arkansas (22-6, 6-3 SEC) in a three-game set, beginning with a 6:30 p.m. series-opener Friday.