For Whom the Cowbell Tolls, a Mississippi State Bulldogs community

Tupelo native and MSU junior pitcher Chris Stratton awaits his highly expected 1st Round selection tonight as the 2012 MLB Draft begins. Stratton (@cstratton28), the 2012 SEC Pitcher of the Year, still remains neutral about staying or leaving but it's assumed by most he won't return for a 2013 senior campaign. Completely understandable given the predictions MLB scouts, analysts, and blogs/websites are anticipating. Here are a few: -SI.com has him going to No. 24 (Boston) -BleacherReport.com: No. 13 (Chicago White Sox) -BaseballAmerica.com: No. 15 (Cleveland) -MLB.com: No. 15 (Cleveland) -minorleagueball.com: No. 13 (Chicago White Sox) Regardless of his decision, Chris has been a huge part of MSU baseball's success for three years. Bulldogs and even many Bulldog foes have respected his presence on the mound since his arrival in Starkville. Be on the lookout for other Bulldogs drafted in later rounds, too. Tonight's coverage of Round 1 will begin at 6 p.m. Central on the MLB Network. It'll also stream live at MLB.com/LIVE. ESPN will show "Breaking News" updates along its banner at the bottom of the screen, too. You can allow follow the Draft live on Twitter by searching the hashtag #MLBdraft or follow them at @MLBDraft.

After the 5-0 loss earlier today to Samford, No. 2 seed MSU (39-23) has learned its opponent tomorrow in Tallahassee, FL. They'll face the No. 4 seed University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (32-29) who lost to FSU, 2-1. Lots of connections with MSU and UAB. Ron Polk, who's currently an assistant at UAB, is by far the biggest. John Cohen also has strong roots with the Blazers. Can State continue their deep pitching success? Can the bats get hot? Did today's loss to Samford strike a Bulldog nerve? Let's hope so. REMEMBER: MSU plays their elimination game with UAB at 11 a.m. Central Saturday. It will ONLY be shown on ESPN3.com (check your local internet provider to see if you can get it). No. 3 seed Samford and No. 1 seed Florida State will play at 6 p.m. Central on ESPN2 aka "The Deuce."