8 Seniors To Be Honored This Weekend At Dudy Noble Vs. #1 LSU
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Looking to send eight seniors out in style, the Mississippi State baseball team (23-22, 7-14 SEC) battles the nation’s top-ranked team in LSU (38-7) this weekend at Dudy Noble Field. The SEC West rivalry series begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m., followed by Senior Day Friday at 7 p.m. State’s 2015 home finale is at 3 p.m. Saturday.
VIDEO: John Cohen Previews Series Versus No. 1 LSU
Fans wishing to witness the 2015 Senior Day ceremony are asked to be in their seats by 6:40 p.m. Friday. The eight seniors being honored are: Matthew Britton, Trevor Fitts, Seth Heck, Lucas Laster, Ross Mitchell, Wes Rea, Jake Vickerson and Cody Walker.
The Bulldogs are 208-170-1 all-time against the Tigers, with a 112-70-1 record in Starkville. John Cohen is 7-13 all-time against the Purple and Gold, including a 3-6 mark at home.
Need To Know
- Senior first baseman Wes Rea is hitting .464 (13-for-28) in his last nine games with 10 RBIs, six walks, four runs, two home runs and two doubles.
- Rea is the only player in the SEC with an on-base percentage over .500 (.506) and leads the league with 39 walks.
- In three games at Top-25 Arkansas this past weekend, sophomore center fielder Jacob Robson went 8-for-14 (.571).
- Sophomore infielder Luke Reynolds is 7-for-8 (.875) his last two games after hitting .154 (8-for-52) in his previous 25 games.
- Last season at LSU, right fielder Jake Vickerson hit .333 (4-for-12) with two runs and a walk.
- Mississippi State’s pitching staff is second in the NCAA with 519 groundouts.
- As a result, MSU is second in the country with 54 double plays and first in the NCAA since 2012 with 255 twin killings.
- In SEC games only, the Maroon and White are tied with No. 1 LSU for the fewest strikeouts (110).
- State is 19-2 when leading after five innings, but 4-20 when trailing or tied after five stanzas.
- The Bulldogs are 17-2 when holding opponents to two runs or less, but 6-20 when opponents score three runs or more.
- MSU is 12th in the country with a .978 fielding percentage.
Forecast
Thursday Forecast: High 74, Low 45 - Mostly Sunny - 0% Chance of Rain
Friday Forecast: High 71, Low 45 - Sunny - 0% Chance of Rain
Saturday Forecast: High 76, Low 50 - Sunny - 0% Chance of Rain
Live Video and Television
Thursday and Friday’s games will air nationally on ESPNU and the WatchESPN app. Saturday’s series finale will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN app.
Watch Thursday’s Game | Watch Friday’s Game | Watch Saturday’s Game
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 – MSU LHP Lucas Laster (4-3, 3.16 ERA) vs. LSU LHP Jared Poche’ (7-1, 2.74 ERA)
Friday – MSU RHP Preston Brown (5-5, 3.76 ERA) vs. LSU RHP Alex Lange (7-0, 1.86 ERA)
Saturday – MSU TBA vs. LSU RHP Austin Bain (1-2, 2.83 ERA)
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 – MSU Baseball Mini-Helmets for the first 500 fans (1B Gate); Resident Life Night (Free T-Shirts); Children’s Bounce House
Friday – Senior Night; Greek Life Night (free soft coolers & attendance prizes); Children’s Bounce House
Saturday – Kids' Day at the Park (kids run the bases postgame; Children’s Bounce House); Movie Night (post-game movie on the outfield grass; fans may bring blankets to sit on)
Fans can also visit HailState.com/memories for incredible fan experiences such as:
- 125 Season items – Lapel Pins, decals, poster and pennants
- Leading 7th Inning Stretch
- Announce the Batters
- Diamond Girl for a Day
- Hall of Champions Tour
- Play Ball Kid
- Pregame Photo
- Second Base Delivery
- Welcome Message
Rankings
Mississippi State – Not Ranked
LSU – 1st in Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1 Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game and the USA Today Coaches’ Poll
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.”