Bulldogs and Golden Eagles Clash Tuesday In Pearl
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State baseball (18-8) travels to Pearl, Miss., Tuesday for an in-state encounter with rival Southern Miss (13-8-1). First pitch at Trustmark Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Including last April, the Bulldogs have won six-straight games against the Golden Eagles and lead the all-time series, 78-36. MSU is 12-6 all-time at Trustmark Park, including a 5-2 record against USM. In State’s last game at Trustmark Park, a record 8,496 fans showed up to watch the Maroon and White take down rival Ole Miss, 8-3, to capture the Governor’s Cup.
Need To Know
- Offensively, Mississippi State ranks second in the nation in walks (152), sixth in on-base percentage (.414), eighth in hit by pitch (38), 16th in runs (174) and 30th in hits.
- The Bulldogs lead the country with 32 double plays turned and have the most twin killings since 2012 (233).
- MSU’s pitching staff has thrown three complete games in its last six contests.
- The Maroon and White hit six home runs this past weekend in three road games after belting out seven total in its first 23 games at home.
- Sophomore leadoff hitter Jacob Robson is the ONLY player in the country to rank in the top-15 nationally in walks (13th, 22), on-base percentage (3rd, .558) and stolen bases (7th, 15).
- Robson also ranks 12th nationally with 29 runs scored.
- Robson has four multi-hit games in his last six contests and has a career-long eight-game hitting streak.
- Senior first baseman Wes Rea is the ONLY player in the country to rank in the top-10 nationally in walks (3rd, 27) and on-base percentage (6th, .544).
- Rea has reached base safely in all 20 of his starts this season.
- Sophomore designated hitter Reid Humphreys is on a career-long seven-game hitting streak.
- Humphreys is 11-for-26 (.423) in his last seven games after going 5-for-37 (.135) in his previous 11 games.
- Senior shortstop Seth Heck has reached base safely in 54 of his last 56 games.
Rankings
Mississippi State – No. 29 in NCBWA, Receiving Votes in USA Today Coaches’ Poll, Unranked in Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1 Baseball and Perfect Game.
Southern Miss – Unranked in all polls.
Tuesday’s Forecast (March 24) – 73 Degrees at First Pitch, Partly Cloudy (0%)
Live Video and Television
Tuesday’s game will be not be televised in any way, shape or form.
Live Audio and Radio
Tuesday’s game will air live on the Mississippi State Baseball Radio Network and online at HailState.com/Plus (requires subscription).
Probable Starters
Mississippi State LHP Lucas Laster (3-0, 2.35 ERA) vs. USM RHP James McMahon (4-0, 1.31 ERA)
Tickets
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
Social Media
For more information on head coach John Cohen’s club, follow the team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for “HailStateBB.” You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for “HailStateSnap.”