Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University News

Starkville Prepares for a Baseball Showdown Against Samford

Crowd cheering at a baseball game in Starkville, Mississippi

News Summary

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are gearing up to face the Samford Bulldogs in a midweek baseball clash at Dudy Noble Field. With starting pitcher Noah Sullivan aiming for another strong performance, fans can expect an action-packed game. Following their recent series against Oklahoma, MSU is looking to build on their victory while exploiting Samford’s pitching struggles. Both teams have shown promise this season, making for an exciting matchup. Fans are encouraged to tune in on SEC Network+ for live coverage as the Bulldogs take the field.

Starkville Gears Up for a Thrilling Baseball Showdown!

It’s that exciting time again in Starkville, Mississippi! The Mississippi State University (MSU) baseball team is all set to take on Samford University in a midweek matchup that promises to be full of action. Fans can mark their calendars for Tuesday at 6 p.m. as the teams clash at the iconic Dudy Noble Field. And for those who can’t make it out to the ballpark, don’t worry! You can catch all the live-action on SEC Network+.

Bringing the Heat: Noah Sullivan on the Mound

The Bulldogs have named Noah Sullivan as their starting pitcher for a remarkable third consecutive midweek game. While Sullivan hasn’t factored into decisions in his previous three outings, he’s been nothing short of stellar. Over six innings, he’s struck out a solid six batters without allowing a single walk, posting a perfect earned run average (ERA). He’ll be looking to continue that momentum against a challenging Samford lineup.

On the other side, Samford is set to send Brooks Rice to the mound, who unfortunately is still seeking his first win of the season. With a record of 0-1 and a rather high ERA of 10.03, it’s safe to say that MSU will be aiming to capitalize on this opportunity!

Weekend Recap: A Nail-biter Against Oklahoma

This past weekend, MSU faced off against the then-10th-ranked Oklahoma in an intense series. After a nail-biting finish, the Bulldogs managed to secure a win in the last game, finishing 2-1, but ultimately lost the series. With a season record currently sitting at 15-9, the team is eager to build on that victory.

Bulldogs at the Plate

.315, with a total of 38 home runs and an average of 7.7 runs scored per game. Leading the pack is Noah Sullivan, boasting 32 hits and a remarkable batting average of .420. The Bulldogs also have power hitter Ace Reese, who has nailed eight home runs and driven in 34 RBIs. When it comes to speed on the base paths, Ross Highfill is the one to watch, leading the team with eight stolen bases.

Pitching Powerhouse: MSU’s Strong Performance

On the pitching front, MSU has shown a lot of promise. With a team ERA of 3.55, the Bulldogs have racked up an impressive 277 strikeouts while only allowing 80 walks over 198 innings. It’s also notable that opponents are batting a mere .195 against MSU’s pitchers this season. In fact, Pico Kohn was recently named SEC Pitcher of the Week, thanks to an electrifying performance against Oklahoma where he allowed just two hits and struck out ten batters in six phenomenal innings.

Taking a Closer Look at Samford

Now, let’s turn our attention to Samford’s squad. With a record of 13-11 this spring season, they’re looking to bounce back after a series loss against East Tennessee State. Samford boasts a solid lineup, hitting at a clip of .298, matching MSU in runs per game at 7.7 average. Cade Carr, a standout player, leads their offense with a batting average of .395 and has driven in 34 RBIs. Meanwhile, Trey Higgins provides power with five home runs, and Jeffrey Ince is a threat on the bases with his 13 stolen bases.

The Matchup Ahead

Let’s not forget about Samford’s pitching, which has been a bit shaky this season. They have a combined ERA of 5.84 and have given up a total of 34 home runs, with opponents hitting .258 against them. Their leader in strikeouts, Evan Steckmessar, has tallied 33 strikeouts and holds one of the three saves for Samford.

Looking Back and Ahead

Historically, MSU has had the upper hand against Samford, winning the last two matchups. Currently, they lead the all-time series 40-11. In their last encounter, MSU clinched a thrilling win with a score of 9-5 in extra innings, with strong performances from players like Bryce Chance, Aaron Downs, and Hunter Hines making significant contributions.

As the game draws closer, fans are encouraged to stay updated on all things MSU baseball by following their social media under the handle HailStateBB. It’s time to rally behind our Bulldogs and show support as they take on Samford!