Mississippi State Hosts LSU for Key SEC Series During Super Bulldog Weekend
STARKVILLE, Miss. — No. 15 Mississippi State is set to host LSU in a three-game SEC series at Dudy Noble Field during Super Bulldog Weekend. The series kicks off Friday at 3 p.m., with games televised on SEC Network+ and ESPN2.
Mississippi State (31-10, 10-8 SEC) enters the matchup riding a five-game winning streak, including a sweep at South Carolina and a midweek win over Memphis. The Bulldogs have combined a potent offense with a strong pitching staff to climb back into national contention, according to team sources.
The Bulldogs lead the SEC with a team batting average of .316 and have amassed 96 doubles, ranking among the national leaders. They have also hit 68 home runs and posted a .415 on-base percentage. Junior infielder Ace Reese leads the team with 17 doubles, a .312 average, 12 home runs, and 47 RBIs, while graduate transfer Gehrig Frei adds consistency with a .331 average and seven home runs.
On the mound, Mississippi State boasts a 3.42 team ERA, with six shutouts and opponents batting .223 against them. Sophomore pitcher Tomas Valincius is scheduled to start Friday; he’s 7-1 with a 1.81 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 59.2 innings. Saturday’s starter is right-hander Duke Stone, who holds a 6-1 record with a 3.78 ERA and 70 strikeouts. Charlie Foster is expected to start Sunday’s game.
LSU (23-18, 6-12 SEC) aims to rebound in conference play. The Tigers feature a powerful offense with 66 home runs. Key players include Derek Curiel, batting .354 with 57 hits, and Cade Arrambide, with 10 homers. LSU has not announced a starter for Sunday’s game, but right-hander Cason Evans is slated to open Friday’s contest, boasting 76 strikeouts in 52.2 innings.
The all-time series favors Mississippi State, which leads 219-197-1. LSU swept last year’s series in Baton Rouge, while Mississippi State won the last series in Starkville in 2024. The weekend’s games are expected to draw large crowds during Super Bulldog Weekend. Fans can get updates at www.HailState.com or follow the team on social media under ‘HailStateBB.’
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