Baseball Welcomes No. 13 South Carolina To Dudy Noble Field
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State (19-12, 3-6 SEC) faces its first ranked team of the season this weekend as it welcomes South Carolina (20-9, 5-4 SEC) to town for a critical three-game Southeastern Conference series at Dudy Noble Field. The series opener is Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by game two Friday at 6:30 p.m. First pitch for the series finale is Saturday at 2 p.m.
VIDEO: John Cohen and Lucas Laster Preview South Carolina Series
The Bulldogs are 30-36 all-time against the Gamecocks, but are 15-14 in Starkville. State has won three straight games in the series and is looking to win four in a row for the first time since 1997-98. John Cohen is 8-9 all-time against USC as MSU’s skipper, including a 5-4 mark at home.
Need To Know
- Thursday starter Lucas Laster has recorded four straight quality starts on the bump, the longest such streak of any MSU starting pitcher this season.
- The Bulldogs are 10-3 in 2015 when they get a quality start.
- In 16 games before SEC play, sophomore Reid Humphreys hit .214/.333/.357. In 11 games since league play began, Humphreys is hitting .333/.391/.619.
- Humphreys has six home runs in his first 156 at-bats, compared to Hunter Renfroe, who did not hit his sixth career home run until his 279th career at-bat at MSU.
- Senior left-hander Ross Mitchell is tied for second in the NCAA among active pitchers with 27 career wins (27-7).
- State is 15-0 when out-hitting its opponent, but 4-12 when being out-hit or having equal hits.
- The Bulldogs are 18-3 this spring when leading after six innings, but just 1-9 when trailing or tied after six stanzas.
- Leadoff hitter Cody Brown is coming off a career night March 31 at South Alabama, where he went 4-for-5 with two runs, a double and a walk.
Weather
Thursday Forecast: High 80, Low 63 - Sunny - 20% Chance of Rain
Friday Forecast: High 81, Low 44 - PM Thunderstorms - 90% Chance of Rain
Saturday Forecast: High 65, Low 39 - Sunny - 10% Chance of Rain
Live Video and Television
Thursday’s game will air live on ESPNU and online via the WatchESPN app. Friday and Saturday’s games will be available on SEC Network + via the WatchESPN app. SEC Network + replaces HailStateTV as MSU’s online video streaming service.
Watch Thursday’s Game | Watch Friday’s Game | Watch Saturday’s Game
IMPOTANT VIDEO: The SEC Network and SEC Network + are two distinct channels with separate offerings.
Live Audio and Radio
All three games will air live on the Mississippi State Baseball Radio Network. All three games will also be audio streamed live online at HailState.com/Plus (requires subscription).
Probable Starters
Thursday – Sr. LHP Lucas Laster (3-1, 2.65 ERA) vs. So. RHP Wil Crowe (3-2, 2.84 ERA)
Friday – TBA vs. Jr. LHP Jack Wynkoop (4-2, 2.30 ERA)
Saturday – TBA vs. TBA
Tickets
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at HailState.com/tickets or at the MSU ticket office behind home plate, which opens two hours before first pitch every game.
Promotions
THURSDAY
“Starkville Schools Night at the Park”
GIVEAWAY: 1,000 Commemorative “125 Seasons” Lapel Pins
CONCESSIONS SPECIAL: “Family Deal” – 4 Popcorns, 4 Drinks for only $20
FIRST PITCH (TWO): Dr. Jimmy Abraham & SSD Representative
“Kids Zone” with Inflatable
FRIDAY
FIRST PITCH (TWO): John Robert Irby & Cole Cheathem (Leukemia & MS)
“Kids Zone” with Inflatable
In-Game - Easter Egg Hunt at the Dude (with prize claim at MKTG table)
SATURDAY – 2 P.M.
“Military Appreciation Game” – Pre-Game Military Recognition Program
GIVEAWAY: 750 MSU Baseball Camo Koozies
GIVEAWAY: 1,500 Mini American Flags
FIRST PITCH (ONE): Lt. Col. Thomas Crosby
RECOGNITIONS: ROTC, Color Guard, Columbus AFB Troops, Oath of Enlistment
Kids Day at the Park
“Kids Zone” with Inflatable
Kids Run One Lap Around the Bases Following the Game
Fans can also visit HailState.com/memories for incredible fan experiences such as:
Welcome Message on Video Board
Hall of Champions Tour
Pre-Game Mound Photo
125th Season Pennant
Second Base Delivery
Visit the Dugout
125th Season Decal
Rankings
Mississippi State – Receiving Votes in NCBWA
South Carolina – 13th in USA Today Coaches and NCBWA, 15th in Perfect Game, 18th in Baseball America, 21st in D1 Baseball and 22nd in Collegiate Baseball
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.”