News Summary
Mississippi State University baseball is gearing up for a crucial weekend series against Ole Miss, aiming for at least four wins in their final SEC games to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. The Bulldogs will have left-hander Pico Kohn start on Friday, followed by Evan Siary and Karson Ligon in the subsequent games. With recent strong performances, the team is looking to continue their momentum, despite potential weather challenges, as they face their arch-rivals. The outcome of this series could significantly impact their postseason aspirations.
Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State University baseball is set to kick off a highly anticipated weekend series against Ole Miss, with plans to move forward as scheduled despite potential weather challenges. The Bulldogs aim to solidify their position for an NCAA Tournament berth, needing at least four wins in their remaining six SEC games.
Friday evening’s game is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM Central Time, with left-hander Pico Kohn taking the mound. Kohn has made a strong impression this season, boasting a 5-2 record and a 3.90 earned run average (ERA), complemented by 93 strikeouts across 12 starts. He is just seven strikeouts away from joining the elite group at Mississippi State that has reached the 100-strikeout milestone in a single season.
On Saturday, right-hander Evan Siary is set to pitch, bringing a 1-1 record and a 4.95 ERA to the field. Siary’s last outing against Kentucky was challenging but crucial; he helped secure a walk-off victory despite not having a standout individual performance. The series will conclude on Sunday with another right-hander, Karson Ligon, who has a record of 4-5 and a 6.75 ERA, coming off a successful outing where he struck out four batters in just three innings against Kentucky.
Mississippi State is in a critical position as they navigate their final stretch of the season. With only six SEC games remaining, the Bulldogs coaching staff anticipates that a minimum of four victories will seal their invitation to the NCAA Tournament. If the team only manages to win three games, their chances of advancing would become uncertain.
Notably, Mississippi State recently experienced a turning point in their season, highlighted by a double-header sweep against Kentucky. The victories have injected renewed energy into the team’s performance and morale as they prepare to face their arch-rivals Ole Miss. The rivalry matchups often draw considerable attention and are known for their competitive nature.
Mississippi State’s decision to schedule the pitching rotation as if all three games will be played indicates a level of confidence amidst potential weather threats. Weather conditions will continue to be monitored as the series progresses; however, history suggests that games in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) generally go ahead as planned. Since 2016, only six SEC games have faced cancellation due to weather, which further supports the likelihood of this weekend’s series against Ole Miss being played as scheduled.
The starting pitcher for Kohn shows a solid strikeouts-per-inning rate of 1.39, placing him behind Ethan Small and Will Bednar in the Bulldogs’ historical rankings. Kohn faced a long outing in his previous game against Kentucky, delivering 112 pitches, and he will be throwing again after a shorter rest compared to his usual schedule. Nonetheless, he remains a vital asset to the Bulldogs’ pitching lineup, especially as the series against Ole Miss approaches.
As the weekend draws closer, Mississippi State’s baseball team is setting the stage for an exciting series against their rivals. Team performance, the potential weather forecast, and the implications of the series on their immediate goals will all play significant roles in the unfolding drama of college baseball in the SEC.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State vs. Kentucky Weather Delay
- Hail State: Weather Forces Saturday Doubleheader
- Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn Baseball vs. Mississippi State Weather Delay
- Sports Illustrated: Mississippi State Aims for Sweep of Kentucky
- Wikipedia: Mississippi State Bulldogs Baseball
