STARKVILLE – SEC softball returns to Nusz Park this weekend as Mississippi State opens its conference slate hosting South Carolina on March 17-19. All three games will air on SEC Network+.
The Bulldogs (19-8, 0-0 SEC) and the Gamecocks (23-4, 1-2 SEC) bring two of the nation’s top pitching staffs to the meeting. MSU leads the nation with 237 strikeouts, and freshman Josey Marron’s 10.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio is No. 15 in the nation. South Carolina’s Donnie Gobourne, however, leads the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (13.9).
It will be a tough test for a State lineup that has been on of the toughest in the country to put away. Despite leading the SEC and ranking fifth nationally with 734 at-bats, MSU has struck out just 82 times, which trails only Florida (74) in the SEC. In fact, MSU’s 3.04 strikeouts per game offensively leads the conference and is sixth nationally.
The last time these two squads met, State took the series, winning the final two games in Columbia by a combined score of 13-3. That sparked a run of seven straight SEC victories to close the 2021 season, which stood as the Bulldogs’ second-longest conference winning streak.
Plenty of promotions are on tap for fans this weekend, and Friday night has a double helping. Fans at the SEC opener can receive free green t-shirts for St. Patrick’s Day and be treated to a postgame fireworks show. On Saturday, State will celebrate Aspen Wesley‘s Choctaw heritage with Native American Heritage Day sponsored by Pearl River Resort. Fans will receive free rally towels decorated with traditional Choctaw patterns.
Sunday’s series finale has been tabbed for MSU’s annual Bark in the Park game. This is the only game in which fans may bring their dogs inside the stadium, but all dog owners must sign a waiver and are responsible for cleaning up after their pet. Dogs and their owners must sit in Section 101. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free collapsible dog bowl.
Friday, March 17 at 6 p.m. CT | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. CT | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Sunday, March 19 at 12 p.m. CT | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Looking Back: The last time MSU met South Carolina, the Bulldogs took the final two games of the series in Columbia by a combined score of 13-3. That…
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