STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State and Southern Miss, ranked sixth and 11th nationally, will meet Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field in a highly anticipated in-state baseball rivalry. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
The Bulldogs (20-4) enter the matchup riding a four-game winning streak and are undefeated at home this season, with a 16-0 record at Dudy Noble. Since late April 2025, MSU has gone 23-1 at home, turning the venue into a fortress, according to university athletics officials.
Mississippi State’s potent offense has propelled its rise into the top six nationally. The team leads the Southeastern Conference with a .343 batting average and ranks among the NCAA leaders in slugging percentage and extra-base hits, including 66 doubles this season. Graduate outfielder Bryce Chance boasts a league-best .457 batting average and is a key contributor to the lineup, which also features All-Americans Ace Reese and Noah Sullivan.
Southern Miss (19-5) counters with a strong pitching staff, holding a team ERA of 2.90. The Golden Eagles are known for limiting big innings and controlling the strike zone, which will be tested by Mississippi State’s offense. The teams previously met earlier this month in Hattiesburg, where Southern Miss edged MSU 7-6.
MSU is expected to start junior right-hander Chris Billingsley Jr., who has pitched out of the bullpen this season but will make his first career start. Southern Miss is projected to send right-hander Thomas Crabtree, who has struck out 20 batters this season. The Bulldogs aim to even the season series and extend their overall series lead to 88-46.
First-year head coach Brian O’Connor has guided Mississippi State to a 20-4 start, quickly establishing the program’s prominence. The team features a mix of veteran players and impact transfers, making it one of the most complete squads in the country.
With two top-15 teams facing off at Dudy Noble, fans can expect another electric atmosphere as Mississippi State seeks to protect its home winning streak and bolster its national resume, according to university officials.
