Diamond Dogs Host Delta Devils Under The Lights
The Bulldogs (10-6-1, 1-2 SEC) are eager to rebound from last week's 1-4 showing that helped knock Mississippi State out of the rankings in all four major college polls for the first time this season. After posting an impressive 12-4 win over No. 4 South Carolina in last Friday's series opener, the Diamond Dogs bowed to the Gamecocks 5-3 and 9-6 in the initial SEC weekend series of the season.
Mississippi Valley (5-21, 5-7 SWAC) topped Alabama State 7-5 to salvage the final game of a four-game conference weekend home series Saturday in Itta Bena. All five Delta Devil wins have come against Southwest Athletic Conference teams.
MSU is expected to split up its pitching chores Wednesday, with sophomore right-hander Jeff Lacher (0-1, 7.00) set to draw the start. Junior left-hander Trey Wall (0-7, 5.68), who prepped at Starkville Academy, is the projected starting pitcher for MVSU. Former Starkville High School standout Tee Thomas (.239) is expected to draw starting duty at shortstop for the Delta Devils.
Bulldog sophomore third baseman Brent Lewis (.357) is expected to return to the MSU lineup after missing the last five games with a deep bruise on his right foot. Sophomore Steve Gendron (.433), who moved from right field to third base in Lewis' absences, and senior second baseman Chad Henry (.400) lead the Bulldogs at the plate. Freshman DH Jon Mungle (.362) belted four home runs and a double in his last five games.
Mississippi State travels to Lexington, Ky., to continue Southeastern Conference play this weekend. MSU takes on the Kentucky Wildcats (10-10, 1-2 SEC) in a three-game series that marks the opening of UK's renovated Cliff Hagan Stadium at Shively Field. Friday's early-afternoon series opener in Lexington is set for 2 p.m. CT.