College Baseball 360 » Mississippi State baseball

Mississippi State CWS Video Interviews Recap

Pete LaFleur — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 03:11:50 +0000

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The Mississippi State baseball team has slipped out of the collective CWS consciousness over the past few days, not playing since its 5-4 win over Indiana on Monday, June 17. To reacquaint fans with the Bulldogs, College Baseball 360 has compiled this convenient page with 10 recent video interviews of Mississippi State – including three formal press conferences, along with seven individual interviews during extended postgame availability after the 5-4 wins over Oregon State and Indiana.

Each of these videos has been edited for quicker viewing, with questions omitted/shortened and other gaps deleted to speed the viewing. Enjoy. …

(1) Mississippi State coach John Cohen – Bracket 1 pre-CWS press conference (6/14/13), below

(2) Mississippi State press conference, after 5-4 win over Oregon State (6/15/13), below

(3) Mississippi State 1B Wes Rea, after 5-4 win over Oregon State (6/15/13), below

(4) Mississippi State closer Jonathan Holder, after 5-4 win over Oregon State (6/15/13), below

(5) Mississippi State SS Wes Rea, , after 5-4 win over Oregon State (6/15/13), below

(6) Mississippi State RHP Kendall Graveman, after 5-4 win over Oregon State (6/15/13), below

(7) Mississippi State press conference, after 5-4 win over Indiana (6/17/13), below

(8) Mississippi State DH Trey Porter, after 5-4 win over Indiana (6/17/13), below

(9) Mississippi State coach John Cohen, after 5-4 win over Indiana (6/17/13), below

(10) Mississippi State LHP Chad Girodo, after 5-4 win over Indiana (6/17/13), below

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CB360 College World Series Tournament Central

Pete LaFleur — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:21:42 +0000

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Here’s CB360’s preliminary 2013 College World Series Central Page, providing fans with quick access to plenty of information covering the upcoming fortnight (to steal a term from Wimbledon). Two weeks from now, the 2013 college baseball champion will have been determined (either on the night of Tuesday, June 25 or Wed. the 26th). This page will be expanded throughout the next two weeks, serving as our central gathering place for 2013 CWS information.

We have plenty of content forthcoming at CB360 in advance of the CWS and throughout the two weeks in Omaha – with on-site coverage, including video interviews with an assortment of CWS players and coaches, plus college baseball alums, fellow media & other experts, special guests and maybe even some classic college baseball fans along the way. …

The information below is broken down into four parts:
• Brief overview of the upcoming first weekend of the 2013 CWS, with full schedule for Friday’s practices, autograph sessions and Opening Ceremonies (all Friday events are open to the public), plus the four games spanning Saturday & Sunday (w/ links to live coverage, TV/audio/stats, plus team Twitter feeds)
• Quick-link breakdowns and team info. for all eight CWS teams (media guide, school CWS central pages, game notes, roster, stats, coaches bio, etc.)
• An assortment of helpful links for CWS fans (venue, transportation, parking, tickets, city of Omaha, visitor’s guide, etc.)
• Complete 13-day schedule for all events and potential games at the 2013 CWS (with dates, times, bracket links & TV coverage listed)

CLICK HERE for easy signup to receive free CWS text message updates directly to your mobile device, courtesy of CB360.

2013 CWS Brackets: Online (interactive; click center to expand) | Printable (PDF)
CLICK HERE for CB360 Super-Regional Central Wrapup page
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Team Capsule Previews (CB360): UCLA | Mississippi State | Oregon State
Bracket 2 Coaches Pre-CWS Press Conference (video editing by CB360)
Click Here for CB360 summary of the 2013 MLB draft picks on the 2013 CWS teams

2013 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES – Schedule & Results for June 15-18
* Scroll to bottom of page for entire CWS schedule (June 15-26) *

_____________________

(Day-1 & Day-2 Results)

Saturday, June 15 (day-1; home teams listed first)
• Game 1 – 2 p.m. CT, on ESPN 2 … online video | NCAA Live Blog
MISSISSIPPI STATE 5-8-2 … def. (3) OREGON STATE 4-10-1
… Final Stats: HTML & PDF | Miss.-St. Recap | OR-St. Recap | NCAA Recap & Summary
… Notes (NCAA) | Notes (Miss-St) | Quotes: Miss-St. & Ore.-St.
… Photos (Miss.-St.) | Video Recap (NCAA) | Video Highlights (Miss.-St.) | Postgame Video (Miss.-St.)
Live Stats: GameTracker, NeuLion or ESPN GameCast | OR-St Audio | Miss-St Audio
Twitter: @Beaver_Baseball … @MStateBB

* Scroll to bottom of page for entire CWS schedule (June 15-26) *

________________________________________________

• OREGON STATE (3-seed … 50-11, 24-6 Pac-12; 5-1 in 2013 NCAAs)
OR-St CWS Central | Media Guide | CWS Notes: HTML & PDF | Roster | Stats | Coach Casey
OR-St Super-Reg. Central (scroll back) | OR-St Reg. Central (scroll back)
_________________________________________________________
• LSU (4-seed … 57-9, 23-7 SEC; 5-0 in 2013 NCAAs)
LSU CWS Central | Media Guide | CWS Notes (PDF) | Roster | Stats | Coach Paul Mainieri
LSU Super-Reg. Central | LSU Reg. Central
__________________________________________________________
• LOUISVILLE (advanced at 2-seed Vanderbilt … 51-12, 20-14 Big East; 5-0 in 2013 NCAAs)
Cards CWS Central | Media Guide | CWS Notes (PDF) | Roster | Stats | Coach Dan McDonnell
Vandy Super-Reg. Central | LOU Reg. Central (scroll back)
_________________________________________________________
• UCLA (advanced at 5-seed Cal State Fullerton … 44-17, 21-9 Pac-12; 5-0 in 2013 NCAAs)
Bruins CWS Central | Media Guide | CWS Notes: HTML & PDF | Roster | Stats | Coach John Savage
CSF Super-Reg. Central | UCLA Reg. Central (scroll back)
_________________________________________________________
• MISSISSIPPI STATE (advanced at 6-seed Virginia … 48-18, 16-14 SEC; 5-1 in NCAAs)
‘Dogs CWS Central | Media Guide | CWS Notes (PDF) | Roster | Stats | Coach John Cohen
UVa Super-Reg. Central | Miss-St Reg. Central
__________________________________________________________
• INDIANA (advanced at 7-seed Florida State … 48-14, 17-7 Big Ten; 5-0 in NCAAs)
Hoosiers CWS Central | Media Guide | CWS Notes | Roster | Stats | Coach Tracy Smith
FSU Super-Reg. Central | IU Reg. Central (scroll back)
_________________________________________________________
• NORTH CAROLINA STATE (advanced past Rice, which earlier advanced at 8-seed Oregon … 49-14, 19-10 ACC; 5-0 in NCAAs
‘Pack CWS Central | Media Guide | CWS Notes | Roster | Stats | Coach Elliott Avent
NC-St Super-Reg. Central (scroll back) | NC-St Reg. Central (scroll back)

________________________________

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES QUICK LINKS

2013 CWS Brackets: Online (interactive; click center to expand) | Printable (PDF)
2013 NCAA Tournament Brackets (field of 64, updated): Online (interactive) | Printable (PDF)
2013 NCAA Regional Brackets (from all 16 sites): PDF format (one file, 16 pages; scroll down)

• CWS Home Page
• CWS Fan Guide
• Fan Events
• CWS Mobile App

• TDA Ameritrade Park (guidlines & info.)
• Tickets & Hospitality info.
• Omaha Info . (parking & transportation)

_________________________________

COMPLETE 2013 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE

2013 CWS Brackets: Online (interactive; click center to expand) | Printable (PDF)

Friday, June 14 – Team Practices, Autograph Sessions & Opening Ceremonies
• Hour-long practice sessions starting at 9 a.m. CT
(9-10 Oregon State … 10-11 Mississippi State … 11-12 Louisville … 12-1 Indiana … 1-2 North Carolina … 2-3 NC State … 3-4 LSU … 4-5 UCLA
• 30-minute autograph sessions
(10:30-11 Oregon State … 11:30-12 Mississippi State … 12:30-1 Louisville … 1:30-2 Indiana … 2:30-3 North Carolina … 3:30-4 NC State … 4:30-5 LSU … 5:30-6 UCLA)
• 8:30 – 10 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

Saturday, June 15 (day-1; home teams listed first)
• Game 1 – 2 p.m. CT, on ESPN 2 … (3) OREGON STATE vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE

• Game 2 – 7 p.m. CT, on ESPN … LOUISVILLE vs. INDIANA

Sunday, June 16 (day-2; home teams listed first)
• Game 3 – 2 p.m. CT, on ESPN 2 … (1) NORTH CAROLINA vs. NORTH CAROLINA STATE

• Game 4 – 7 p.m. CT, on ESPN2 … (1) LSU vs. UCLA

Monday, June 17
Game 5 – 2 p.m. – Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser (ESPN2)
Game 6 – 7 p.m. – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner (ESPN2)

Tuesday, June 18
Game 7 (2 p.m.) – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser (ESPN)
Game 8 (7 p.m.) – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner (ESPN2)

Wednesday, June 19
Game 9 (7 p.m.) – Game 6 Loser vs. Game 5 Winner (ESPN)

Thursday, June 20
Game 10 (7 p.m.) – Game 8 Loser vs. Game 7 Winner (ESPN)

Friday, June 21
Game 11 (2 p.m.) – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner (ESPN)
Game 12 (7 p.m.) – Game 8 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner (ESPN)

Saturday, June 22
Game 13 (if necessary; 2 p.m.) – Game 11 Winner vs. Game 11 Loser (ESPN2)
Game 14 (if necessary; 7:30 p.m.) – Game 12 Winner vs. Game 12 Loser (ESPN)

Monday, June 24
CWS Championship Series Game 1 (7 p.m.) – Winner Game 11 or 13 vs. Winner Game 12 or 14 (ESPN)

Tuesday, June 25
CWS Championship Series Game 2 – 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Wednesday, June 26
CWS Championship Series Game 3 (if necessary) – 7 p.m. (ESPN)

all times central and subject to change; national seeds indicated in ( ): (1) UNC, (3) Oregon State & (4) LSU
all events and games listed above to be held at TD Ameritrade Park

2013 CWS Brackets: Online (interactive; click center to expand) | Printable (PDF)

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Mississippi State 2012 Baseball Schedule

Sean Stires — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:38:23 +0000

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Program Record 37 Home Games On Tap…

Mississippi State has released its 2012 college baseball schedule. The Bulldogs open their season February 17-19 at home when they hosts first time opponent Washington State in a three game series.

The three games are the first of an 18 game homestand to begin the season at Dudy Noble Field. Games vs. Alcorn State, Kansas (2), Mississippi Valley State (2), Penn State (2), Memphis, Lipscomb (2), Connecticut (2) and Mercer (3) complete the homestand.

Mississippi State goes on the road for the first time when they travel to Hammond, LA for two games against Southeastern Louisiana March 13-14. They open SEC play in Baton Rouge March 16-18 vs. LSU. Other SEC road series are at Auburn, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. They host conference series with Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Kentucky.

The Bulldogs will play intrastate rivals Ole Miss and Southern Mississippi at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS on April 17 and 24, respectively.

MSU’s 56-game slate includes 30 games against SEC opponents and a total of nine teams that advanced to the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

The Dugout is located right across the street from the Road To Omaha statue outside TD Ameritrade Stadium, but if you left Omaha without that College World Series hat, shirt or memorabilia you were thinking about you can still get it at Dugouthats.com! The Dugout also has fitted college and minor league caps – just like the ones the players where on the field.

The best part is, when you click on one of the red links to Dugouthats.com you will save 20% on your order when you enter the coupon code CB360!

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Mississippi State 2011 Baseball Schedule

Sean Stires — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:33:57 +0000

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Mississippi State is the latest team to unveil its 2011 college baseball schedule. The Bulldogs will host Akron and Lamar to open the season February 18-20 with two games against each team.

MSU will play its first 14 and and 18 of its first 19 games of the 2011 season at home. Trips to Birmingham, AL to play UAB and to Nashville, TN to face Lipscomb are the Bulldog’s only road trips prior to SEC play.

Two days after the game at Lipscomb the Bulldogs play their conference opening series at Vanderbilt. Other SEC road series are at Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Mississippi State hosts SEC series with Auburn, Florida, Alabama, LSU, and defending national champion South Carolina.

Click Here to see the complete 2011 MSU baseball schedule.

The SEC Baseball Tournament begins on May 25 in Hoover, AL.

Head coach John Cohen’s scheduled 35 home games in 2011 matches the 2003 record for the most home games in a season at MSU.

Authentic college baseball caps are hard to find, unless you know where to look. Find the hat of your favorite college baseball team at The Dugout, where you can also still get College World Series t-shirts and more!

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Southeastern Louisiana Receives First Ever National Ranking

Sean Stires — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:13:45 +0000

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Lions Fresh Off First Ever Sweep Of An SEC Team

Jeff Harkensee is tied for the SE La. team lead with 10 RBIs.

HAMMOND, LA–After recording a three-game sweep at Mississippi State last weekend, the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team entered the national rankings for the first time in school history as the Lions were ranked No. 29 in the Collegiate Baseball poll.

Southeastern (8-0) earned its first-ever sweep of an SEC opponent after coming back twice from two-run deficits to claim a 6-5 win in Sunday’s finale. The Lions scored two runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by Trey Martin‘s steal of home that snapped a 5-5 tie.

The Lions opened the series scoring three runs in the ninth inning in a 4-1 victory before defeating the Bulldogs, 8-5, on Saturday. All-American relief pitcher Chris Franklin earned the win in Friday’s game before coming back to pick up the save in Sunday’s contest.

The Lions, who finished 37-22 last season, were one of five newcomers to the poll which included Western Kentucky (No. 23), Kentucky (No. 25), Washington State (No. 28) and Vanderbilt (No. 30). Defending national champion LSU remained No. 1 for the second consecutive week.

Southeastern picked-up its eighth win over the season Tuesday night by pounding Jackson State 18-2 and is also receiving votes in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll and in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Poll. Lamar is receiving votes in the NCBWA poll as well.

(Release)

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SEC Baseball 2010 Preview – Western Division

Sean Stires — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:01:21 +0000

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National Champ LSU And Arkansas Look For CWS Returns

2009 Eastern Division Champion: Florida

2009 Western Division Champion: LSU & Ole Miss Tied with 20-10 records

2009 SEC Tournament Champion: LSU

Banner Year: Teams outside the SEC often complain the conference gets too much respect when it comes to NCAA Tournament bids, but the SEC lived-up to its lofty status last year. Eight SEC teams received NCAA bids in 2009, with half of them, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, and Arkansas, advancing to at least a Super Regional. Arkansas and LSU both made it to Omaha, while the Tigers winning the 2009 National Championship.

Big Crowds: The SEC drew a record of nearly 1.9 million fans to its on-campus ballparks in 2009, the fourth year in a row to draw over 1.6 million. Seven SEC teams drew in excess of 100,000 fans to their parks in 2009. The SEC averaged a record 4,689 fans per game in 2009, the third straight year to exceed the 4,000 mark.

2010 SEC Western Division Preview

Alabama

2009 Record: (37-21, 18-11)

Mascot: Crimson Tide

Head Coach: Mitch Gaspard

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

Vitals: .330 BA, 107 HR, 60 SB, .415 OBP, .971 Fld%…5.13 ERA, 4 CG, 11 SV, 487 K, 182 BB, .277 opp. BA

New Head Coach: Mitch Gaspard took the reigns of the Alabama program after long time skipper Jim Wells

Ross Wilson (ESPN.com)

retired last summer. Gaspard served two stints as an assistant to Wells, including the last two seasons as Alabama’s recruiting coordinator. He was the head coach at Northwestern State from 2002-2007. Prior to that he helped Wells take Alabama to the College World Series three times as a Crimson Tide assistant.

Solid Returns: Preseason All-American 2B Ross Wilson (.353, 9 HR, 57 RBIs) is one of four returning players who started at least 49 games last year. Senior Jake Smith (.359, 18 HR, 54 RBIs), Freshman All-American Taylor Dugas (.352, 13 SB) and Josh Rutledge (.305) are back as well, as is Clay Jones (.331, 7 HR, 39 RBIs), who started just 35 games last year. The biggest loss to the line-up is OF Kent Matthes (.358, 28 HR, 81 RBIs), who tied for the NCAA home run lead.

Pitching Questions: Alabama loses starters Austin Hyatt (8-3, 3.76 ERA) and Del Howell (5-3, 6.33 ERA). Those two combined to make 26 starts & tossed three of the staff’s four complete games. With nine starts last year soph. LHP Adam Morgan (4-2, 4.17 ERA) is the team’s most experience returning starter. Redshirt soph. reliever Tyler White (1-0, 2.28 ERA, 2 SV) and Jr. Nathan Kilcrease (4-4, 4.11 ERA, 2 SV) are among the top returning relievers.

Arkansas

2009 Record: (41-24, 14-15)

Mascot: Razorbacks

Head Coach: Dave Van Horn

Location: Fayetteville, AR

Vitals: .273 BA, 80 HR, 67 SB, .368 OBP, .968 Fld%…4.67 ERA, 1 CG, 16 SV, 511 K, 245 BB, .267 opp. BA

Andy Wilkins

All-American Trio: Juniors Brett Eibner (.231, 12 HR, 54 RBIs) & Andy Wilkins (.319, 19 HR, 58 RBIs) and sophomore Zach Cox (.266, 13 HR, 39 RBIs) have all received preseason All-American recognition. Arkansas, LSU and Texas are the only three schools in the country to have three players receive All-American recognition. Cox was a Freshman All-American last year as well.

Two-Way Duo: Eibner and Cox are pitchers as well. Eibner (5-5, 5.00 ERA) tied a team-high with 17 starts last year with the staff’s only complete game. Cox (5-1, 4.82 ERA, SV) mad all 14 of his appearances out of the bullpen.

Plenty More Pitching: Senior Mike Bolsinger (6-4, 2.99 ERA, 2SV) is among the top returning pitchers to the Razorback staff. He picked-up the only save at last year’s College World Series. Drew Smyly (3-1, 4.66 ERA, 14 starts). Dallas Keuchel (9-3, 3.92 ERA) and Stephen Richards (6-2, 2.19 ERA, 9 SV) are the biggest staff losses

Auburn

2009 Record: (31-25, 11-19)

Mascot: Tigers

Head Coach: John Pawlowski

Location: Auburn, AL

Vitals: .286 BA, 103 HR, 40 SB, .381 OBP, .969 Fld%…6.12 ERA, 0 CG, 12 SV, 411 K, 228 BB, .321 opp. BA

Notable Drought: Since going to the NCAA Tournament five times from 2000-2005 Auburn has missed the tourney the last four years.

Mound Presence: Junior LHP Grant Dayton (2-6, 5.92 ERA) and soph. Jon Luke Jacobs (3-4, 5.74 ERA) are back to lead the weekend rotation. They are expected to be joined by 6’7 lefty Cole Nelson, a junior college transfer who was drafted in the 48th round by Tampa Bay last year. Austin Hubbard (3-3, 4.20 ERA, 12 SV) and Bradley Hendrix (7-3, 5.09 ERA) are back to lead the bullpen. Hendrix’s 7 wins led the staff as did his 24 relief appearances. Another juco transfer, Stephen Kohlscheen, helped lead Cowley College to last year’s Junior College World Series.

A Lot In The Line-Up: Auburn returns seven of its top nine hitters from 2009. Justin Hargett led the Tigers in average (.330) and on-base percentage (.426). He’s joined by Brian Fletcher (.301, 17 HR, 54 RBIs), Casey McElroy (.286, 7 HR), Hunter Morris (.282, 12 HR), and Tony Caldwell (.281, 9 HR).

No Mummey…For Now: Auburn recently announced that centerfielder Trent Mummey (.289, 15 HR) will miss at least a month with a severely sprained right ankle. Mummey had 17 of Auburn’s 40 stolen bases last year. He was also named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. Junior college transfer Justin Fradejas will fill-in until he returns.

Desert Challenge: The Tigers go to Tempe, AZ for a 3-game series with Arizona State March 12-14.

LSU

2009 Record: (56-17, 20-10)

Mascot: Tigers

Head Coach: Paul Mainieri

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Vitals: .315 BA, 107 HR, 114 SB, .405 OBP, .974 Fld%…4.02 ERA, 679 K, 186 BB, .257 opp. BA

Anthony Ranaudo (ESPN.com photo)

LSU Line-Up Losses: The Tigers lose four of their top five batters from last year’s National Championship team. D.J. LeMahieu (.350, 12 SB), Ryan Schimpf (.336, 22 HR, 70 RBIs, 18 SB), Sean Ochinko (.333, 9 HR), and Jared Mitchell (.327, 11 HR, 36 SB) are all gone.

Top Bats Back: LSU still returns the like of Sr. Blake Dean (.328, 17 HR, 71 RBIs), Tyler Hanover (.321), SEC Tournament MVP Mikie Mahtook (.316, 7 HR), Leon Landry (.300, 12 HR), and slick fielding Austin Nola, who didn’t join the starting line-up until LSU’s 40th game of the season last year. He did not commit an error at shortstop in 24 chances at the College World Series.

On The Hill: While they lose top overall pitcher Louis Coleman (14-2, 2.93 ERA, 142 K), the Tigers return several top notch pitchers to carry the load. The group is led by junior Anthony Ranaudo (12-3, 3.04, 159 K). He’s joined by Austin Ross (6-8, 5.18 ERA), soph.closer Matty Ott (4-2, 2.68 ERA, 16 SV), Daniel Bradshaw (4-0, 3.04 ERA), Paul Bertuccini (2-0, 3.86 ERA, 3 SV), and Chris Matulis (6-2, 4.82 ERA).

On The Bayou: LSU plays its first 21 games of the season in Louisiana. The only road game is at Northwestern State in Natchitoches.

Mississippi

2009 Record: (44-20-, 20-10)

Mascot: Rebels

Head Coach: Mike Bianco

Location: Oxford, MS

Vitals: .310 BA, 56 HR, 92 SB, .398 OBP, .970 Fld%…4.06 ERA, 4 CG, 17 SV, 623 K, 189 BB, .271 opp. BA

Dealing With Draft Losses: After setting a school record with 20 wins in SEC play Ole Miss had 11 players drafted last year, including five underclassmen who signed pro contracts. Jordan Henry (.343, 38 SB), Logan Power (.311, 7 HR, 20 doubles) and Kyle Henson (.338, 8 HR) are the top losses in the line-up. Scott Bittle (5-2, 2.17 ERA), Phillip Irwin (8-3, 3.84 ERA), Brett Bukvich (9-3, 4.42 ERA), and Nathan Baker (4-3, 3.63 ERA) are all gone from the pitching staff.

Matt Smith (secsports.com)

Bats That Are Back: The good news for the Rebles is three players shared the team lead with 8 home runs, and two of those players, Matt Smith (.336, 8 HR, 59 RBIs) and Matt Snyder (.298, 8 HR, 31 RBIs) are back this year. Smith was the team RBI leader. Snyder and his twin brother, Mike, are expected to share the corner infield spots. Tim Ferguson (.358, 18 SB) and Zac Miller (.341) are among other top returnees to the line-up.

Mound Returnees: Junior LHP Drew Pomeranz (8-4, 3.40 ERA) will lead the weekend rotation. Closer Jake Morgan (4-1, 3.46 ERA, 9 saves) suffered an injury in the off-season, so David Goforth (1-1, 2.80 ERA, 3 SV) is expected to move into that role. Senior Rory McKean (5-1, 4.53 ERA) is among a handful of other experience relievers who return.

Welcome Back?: The Rebels will host a 3-game series with reigning Big East Champion Louisville March 12-14. The Cardinals are coached by former Ole Miss assistant Dan McDonnell and have been to Super Regionals in two of the last three seasons.

Mississippi State

2009 Record: (25-29, 9-20)

Mascot: Bulldogs

Head Coach: John Cohen

Location: Starkville, MS

Vitals: .298 BA, 61 HR, 72 SB, .398 OBP, .968 Fld%…6.57 ERA, 5 CG, 12 SV, 365 K, 246 BB, .304 opp. BA

Dogs Absent: Since making NCAA Tournament appearances from 2003-2007, including the ’07 CWS, Mississippi State has missed the last two NCAA Tourneys. In fact, the Bulldogs have not been to the SEC tournament for the last two years either.

Big Dogs Back: 1B Connor Powers (.301, 19 HR, 63 RBIs) and DH Ryan Duffy (.339, 10 HR, 33 RBIs) were MSU’s top home runs hitters last year, and they’re both back to lead the offense. Jet Butler (.335) and Russ Sneed (.333, 9 HR, 43 RBIs) return as well. Leading hitter Scott DeLoach (.353) and Grant Hogue (.315, 29 SB) are the biggest offensive losses.

Hard Working Dogs: Nick Routt (5-3, 4.15 ERA, 4 CG) and Tyler Whitney (3-4, 5.18 ERA, CG), who accounted for 24 of the staff’s 54 starts and all five complete games last year, are both back. The Bulldogs lose saves leader Chad Crosswhite (6 SV, 7.38 ERA). Routt is expected to lead the rotation, while Whitney could move to the closer role. Lefty junior college transfer Trey Johnson and freshman Chris Stratton could factor in the weekend rotation. Johnson hit 19 HR as a two-way player last year at Blinn (TX) CC.

Special Delivery: For the second straight year Mississippi State players hand delivered tickets in neighborhoods throughout Starkville to local fans who ordered 2010 season tickets. Head coach John Cohen started the program when he was the head coach at Kentucky.

2010 SEC Western Division Predictions

Top Western Division Player: Andy Wilkins – Arkansas

Top Western Division Pitcher: Anthony Ranaudo – LSU

Western Division Champion: LSU

CLICK HERE to see the Eastern Division Preview & Predictions

2010 SEC Baseball Overall Predictions

SEC Player of the Year: Preston Tucker – Florida

SEC Pitcher of the Year: Anthony Ranaudo – LSU

Overall SEC Champion: South Carolina