No. 4 Mississippi State Hosts Alcorn Baseball in Midweek Matchup

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Alcorn State baseball travels to face No. 4 Mississippi State on Wednesday at Dudy Noble Field. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. and marks the highest-ranked opponent the Braves have faced since their loss to No. 2 Ole Miss in 2022, according to team sources.

The Braves are expected to start junior left-hander Caden Wade, who has yet to record a decision this season. Mississippi State’s starter will be announced after Tuesday’s game against Troy, the Bulldogs’ first game of the week. Wade, from Meridian, Mississippi, is making his first appearance of the year after posting a 12.10 ERA in limited action last season, according to team statistics.

Alcorn, which is 1-2, is not ranked in this week’s major polls. Mississippi State, with a 4-0 record, ranks as high as third in Baseball America and fourth in D1Baseball. The Bulldogs have a roster of 26 newcomers, including 18 transfers, and are coached by Brian O’Connor, who guided Virginia to the 2015 national title.

Alcorn’s second-year head coach Carlton Hardy said the matchup offers a valuable experience. “This is the test. You want to play against the best and see what you’re really about,” Hardy said. “It’s a true test, and that’s with all due respect to everyone on our schedule.”

Last weekend, Alcorn defeated Jackson State for the first time since 2019, ending a losing streak to the Tigers. The Braves hope to build on that momentum against a powerhouse team that has dominated the series historically. Mississippi State owns an 18-0 record against Alcorn, with all games played in Starkville since 1993. The Braves have been outscored 60-7 in their last five meetings.

Mississippi State recently defeated Troy at home and is ranked as high as No. 3 by Baseball America and No. 4 by D1Baseball. The team’s roster includes three preseason All-Americans and 18 transfers from the portal, reflecting its strong recruiting class, according to D1Baseball.

Alcorn’s last game saw senior outfielder Rayfield “Trey” Adams III extend a four-game hitting streak with a key single in a 8-7 victory over Jackson State in 10 innings. The Braves will continue their road trip Friday against Houston Christian for a three-game series in Houston, Texas.

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