COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 17 Mississippi State hits the road this weekend looking to regain its footing in Southeastern Conference play, as the Diamond Dawgs travel to Columbia for a three-game series against South Carolina at Founders Park.
MSU (27-10, 7-8 SEC) enters the weekend having snapped its recent skid with a decisive midweek victory at Samford, offering a potential spark after a stretch that saw State drop six of eight contests. The win provided a needed reset as the Bulldogs turn their focus back to conference play.
Friday’s opener is set for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch on SEC Network+. The series continues Saturday at noon on SEC Network and concludes Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. first pitch streaming on SEC Network+.
The Bulldogs bring one of the SEC’s most potent offenses into the series, hitting .319 as a team with a .542 slugging percentage and a .422 on-base percentage. The lineup has produced 88 doubles, tops in the conference, along with 60 home runs and nearly 200 walks, combining power with plate discipline.
All-American third baseman Ace Reese continues to pace the attack, leading the SEC in doubles while serving as the centerpiece of a deep and experienced lineup. He’s joined by a veteran core that includes Noah Sullivan, Gehrig Frei and Bryce Chance, giving Mississippi State production up and down the order.
On the mound, MSU has been equally formidable. The staff owns a 3.60 ERA and ranks among the national leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio and strikeouts per nine innings, reflecting its ability to consistently control hitters.
Sophomore left-hander Tomas Valincius will take the ball in Friday’s opener and has emerged as one of the league’s top arms. He enters with a 6-1 record, a 1.53 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 53 innings, highlighted by multiple dominant outings this spring.
Right-hander Duke Stone is set to start Saturday after posting a 5-1 mark with 58 strikeouts, while lefty Charlie Foster is expected to close out the weekend on Sunday as the Bulldogs aim to secure the series.
South Carolina (19-19, 15-9 SEC) will counter with a pair of experienced right-handers at the front of its rotation. Brandon Stone is slated for Friday night and has been one of the Gamecocks’ most reliable arms, carrying a 4-1 record with a 2.89 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Amp Phillips is expected to start Saturday and has been equally effective, posting a 3-4 record with a 2.17 ERA and 56 strikeouts. The Gamecocks have yet to announce a starter for Sunday’s finale.
The all-time series between the programs has been tightly contested, with South Carolina holding a slight 43-40 edge. Mississippi State has had recent success against the Gamecocks, including a series win in Starkville last season.
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