Arkansas Visits The Dude For Three-Game Set Against No. 13 MSU
STARKVILLE, Miss. – No. 13 Mississippi State baseball (18-9) will wrap up its seven-game home stand this weekend against Arkansas (16-8) in MSU’s SEC West opener. First pitch in the series is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Dudy Noble Field, followed by a 2 p.m. start time Saturday. The series wraps up Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Live Video and Television
The series will be streamed live at HailStateTV.com.
Live Audio and Radio
The series will be available on the Mississippi State Baseball Radio Network and at HailStateTV.com.
Tickets and Promotions
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at HailState.com/tickets. Saturday is a Junior Bulldog Club party. Kid’s Day at the Park is Sunday, with free face decals and kids running the bases postgame.
Probable Starters
Friday – RSo. RHP Preston Brown (3-0, 1.12 ERA) vs. Jr. LHP Jalen Beeks (3-2, 1.56 ERA)
Saturday – RJr. Ross Mitchell (4-1, 1.66 ERA) vs. So. RHP Trey Killian (1-3, 2.36 ERA)
Sunday – Jr. RHP Trevor Fitts (2-1, 3.13 ERA) vs. Jr. RHP Chris Oliver (2-2, 1.74 ERA)
Social Media
Fans can follow the series on social media by searching for “HailStateBB” on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. All-Access coverage of the program can also be found on FanCred.
Rankings
Mississippi State – 13th in Perfect Game, 15th in NCBWA and 16th in Baseball America, the USA Today Sports Coaches’ Poll and Collegiate Baseball
Arkansas – Receiving Votes in the NCBWA Top-25
Need to Know
- With a series win or sweep vs. Arkansas, John Cohen’s club can finish with the most wins by a Bulldog club in March since 2006 (18-2).
- The Bulldogs are 4-2 in SEC play and are off to their best conference start since 2011 (4-2).
- State, which is fifth nationally with a .984 fielding percentage, owns a .990 fielding percentage in 18 games won, compared to a .972 clip in nine games lost.
- All-SEC 2B Brett Pirtle has reached base safely in 35-straight games against SEC opponents.
- All-American closer Jonathan Holder is the NCAA active leader in career saves (33) and is one save shy of taking over sole possession of third place in SEC history.
The Butcher Shop
Under the direction of associate head coach Butch Thompson, the Bulldogs lead the country since 2012 with 174 double plays and strikeouts (1,354). Thompson’s staff was also one of two teams in 2013 (Louisville) to finish in the top-15 in ERA (2.79), hits allowed per nine innings (7.47) and strikeouts per nine innings (8.2).
Most Double Plays Since 2012
Team Double Plays Turned
1. Mississippi State 174
2. Towson 156
3. Oregon State 146
4. Georgia Tech 144
5. Notre Dame 142
6. Illinois 141
7. Middle Tennessee State 140
8. Washington State 139
9. Arkansas 136
10. Fresno State 135
Most Strikeouts Since 2012
Team Total Strikeouts
1. Mississippi State 1,354
2. N.C. State 1,353
3. North Carolina 1,319
4. Louisville 1,296
T5. LSU 1,281
T5. Rice 1,281
7. South Carolina 1,257
8. Oklahoma 1,262
9. Arkansas 1,183
10. Florida State 1,192