No. 9 Mississippi State Hosts UAB in Midweek Baseball Game

STARKVILLE, Miss. — No. 9 Mississippi State plays UAB on Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field, seeking to improve after a tough Southeastern Conference series against Georgia, according to school officials.

The Bulldogs (25-7) have been dominant at home, posting an 18-3 record at Dudy Noble Field this season. They have also won 23 straight non-conference games at the venue, dating back to last year.

MSU will start junior right-hander Chris Billingsley Jr., who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in 10 appearances this season. The Brent, Alabama native has struck out nine over 11 innings and has pitched in both starting and relief roles. He recently started midweek wins against No. 11 Southern Miss and Grambling.

UAB counters with sophomore right-hander Justin Hicks, who is 2-1 with a 5.49 ERA. Hicks has recorded 18 strikeouts with five walks this season. He will try to contain Mississippi State’s potent lineup.

Mississippi State’s offense remains a strength. The team is hitting .328 with 52 home runs and a .434 on-base percentage, according to school officials. Graduate outfielder Bryce Chance leads the SEC with a .412 batting average and has 11 multi-hit games. All-American third baseman Ace Reese has nine home runs and 40 RBIs. Other contributors include Gehrig Frei and Ryder Woodson.

On the mound, the Bulldogs carry a 3.41 ERA with 369 strikeouts in 272 innings. Their staff has limited opponents to a .214 batting average, helping maintain their high level of success. UAB, with a 22-10 record, hits .291 with 50 home runs but has struggled on the mound with a 6.36 team ERA. This contrast could favor Mississippi State if the Bulldogs settle in early.

Historically, Mississippi State has controlled the series, leading 39-10 and winning six straight games against UAB, according to school records. Fans can follow updates on the team’s website or via social media channels under the handle ‘HailStateBB.’

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