For Whom the Cowbell Tolls - MSU vs. Georgia - Game Times, Pitching Matchups, and MoreGrindin' Daily for Mississippi State Athleticshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50285/fwtct-fav.png2014-03-17T22:07:40-04:00http://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/rss/stream/52754792014-03-17T22:07:40-04:002014-03-17T22:07:40-04:00Pollwatchin' Week Five: Hangin' Around
<figure>
<img alt="Jameis Winston and the Seminoles moved up to #1 in a few polls after a perfect weekend" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rEuhQ2VH31xCRe2UHXKDde7Un8A=/0x200:2667x1978/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30244591/20130609_kdl_av1_251.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jameis Winston and the Seminoles moved up to #1 in a few polls after a perfect weekend | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bulldogs held steady or moved up slightly in most polls after a 3-1 week that included an SEC series win in Athens.</p> <p>Last week we debuted a musical theme that correlated with MSU's movement in the polls that week - Tom Petty's Free Fallin'. While it may not necessarily work for every week, I'll try to keep it going for as long as possible.</p>
<p>That means that this week's look at State's poll movements has its own musical theme. This week takes us from 1989 and Tom Petty to 1999 and the Counting Crows' Hangin' Around:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ARiiO_41Id8" frameborder="0" height="400" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p>As the song's title indicates, MSU mostly "hung around" its same position in the polls this week, with a little bit of movement up after a good series win at Georgia this past weekend. Let's take a look to see where State was ranked in this week's polls:</p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="5" style="text-align: center;"> <b>Pollwatchin': Week Five</b> </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Poll</b></td>
<td><b>Ranking</b></td>
<td><b>Previous</b></td>
<td><b>Link</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Baseball America</td>
<td>21<br>
</td>
<td>24</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/college-top-25-march-17/">BA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>College Baseball Newspaper</td>
<td>24<br>
</td>
<td>23</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://baseballnews.com/polls/ncaa-division-i/2014-collegiate-baseball-polls/collegiate-baseball-div-i-poll-3-17-14/">CBN</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NCBWA</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>20</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sportswriters.net/ncbwa/poll/">NCBWA</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perfect Game</td>
<td>17<br>
</td>
<td>20</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9600">PG</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>USA Today/Coaches</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>19</td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/rankings/_/pollId/9/sportId/10031000">USAT</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>State's biggest move up was in both the Baseball America and Perfect Game polls with three spots each. Somehow State moved down a spot in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, but whatever. Overall, this is about where you might expect the Bulldogs to be after a good week. With the Bulldogs getting ready for a big weekend showdown with Vanderbilt, let's take a look at where the Commodores, as well as some of teams come in this week.</p>
<ul>
<li>Vanderbilt, who took an impressive series this weekend from top-ten LSU, moved up in the rankings this week to anywhere from 3rd to 6th. The Commodores travel to Starkville this upcoming weekend for a huge showdown with MSU. </li>
<li>UC Santa Barbara, who defeated MSU twice two weekends ago, continues a steady climb up the polls after a 3-1 week. The Gauchos are now a top-20 team in several polls.</li>
<li>South Carolina was able to avoid trouble this weekend by following up a loss to Ole Miss with a two game sweep of the Rebels on Saturday to win the series. With still just one loss on the season, the Gamecocks stayed at the number one position in most polls, with a slight drop to number two in a few.</li>
</ul>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/bulldogs-baseball/2014/3/17/5518748/mississippi-state-baseball-rankings-week-five-pollwatchincristilmethod2014-03-16T10:52:12-04:002014-03-16T10:52:12-04:00State takes 4-1 finale win, series from Georgia
<figure>
<img alt="After a rough start to the weekend, the Bulldogs TOTALLY REDEEMED themselves with two wins on Saturday." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ScEbO-PTZBrkk8LXZh37CYxyNvY=/40x0:396x237/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30149789/just-when-i-think-you-couldnt-possibly-be-any-dumber-you-go-and-do-something-like-this..-and-totally-redeem-yourself-in-dumb-and-dumber.0.gif" />
<figcaption>After a rough start to the weekend, the Bulldogs TOTALLY REDEEMED themselves with two wins on Saturday.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After a tough Friday night loss, the Bulldogs bounced back with two wins on Saturday, including a 4-1 win in the final game that clinched the first series win in Athens since 1997.</p> <p>Friday night may have been the lowest point of the young 2014 season.</p>
<p>After three losses in four tries last weekend in Arizona, the Bulldogs traveled to Georgia with a lot to prove in the opening weekend of conference play. A 7-1 Friday night loss was not the best way to start proving themselves, and things looked fairly dim from a fan's perspective heading into a rain-induced doubleheader on Saturday.</p>
<p>Thankfully the players don't ride the emotional rollercoaster that we as fans sometimes do, and the Bulldogs were able to put Friday night behind them and respond strongly on Saturday with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/3/15/5512432/mississippi-state-bulldogs-baseball-georgia-ross-mitchell-start">convincing 6-1</a> and 4-1 wins to take the SEC-opening series.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More from HailState.com</strong>: <a target="new" href="http://www.hailstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=209432991">Official Game Recap</a> <a target="new" href="http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/16800/stats/bb/2014/ms0315b.htm?ATCLID=209432991&SPSID=90857&SPID=10993&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=16800">Box Score</a> <a target="new" href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bizo3iECYAAOv4B.png?ATCLID=209432991&SPSID=90857&SPID=10993&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=16800">Infographic</a>
</div>
<p>After taking game one on Saturday, the maroon and white Bulldogs went into the final game of the weekend with a chance to take the series, and turn a potentially devastating weekend into a series win and strong start to conference play. State was able to do just that thanks to yet another strong pitching performance on the day, this time from Trevor Fitts. Fitts worked a strong 4 2/3 innings, surrendering just one run and four hits while striking out six. Sensing the series win within their grasp, State would go to the bullpen in the fifth to bring in setup-man Jacob Lindgren. Lindgren, who has been so good this season, continued to work his magic, as he worked three strong innings of relief, striking out four while giving up just one hit. That effort was enough to earn him the win, and closer Jonathan Holder would come in and slam the door for the save within 1 1/3 innings of work.</p>
<p>The offensive attack for State was a combined effort between Alex Detz, Wes Rea, and C.T. Bradford, who all registered RBIs in the game. The big inning for MSU came in the fourth, when the pinch-hitting Bradford drove in two with a one-out double to left field. Detz added the final insurance run in the ninth with a two out RBI single.</p>
<p>On the surface, this weekend's series may seem like a given for a team like MSU. However, after last weekend and then Friday night's start to the series, Saturday's two wins were very important for this team going forward. Last year's national runner-up squad didn't even win an SEC series until the fourth weekend of conference play, so the series win against Georgia means State is already ahead of that schedule. This year's team will have a bit more to make up for as far as some non-conference losses, but with all of the good teams in the SEC this year, State still has chances to impress this season.</p>
<p>They won't have to wait long either to get the first chance to impress, as Vanderbilt comes to town next weekend for a big, BIG weekend series. The Commodores are coming off an impressive series win at home over LSU, winning two games on Saturday after the Tigers got to their ace, Tyler Beede, on Friday night. Speaking of Beede - he will be quite a challenge for State next Friday night. It will be interesting to see how Cohen and pitching coach Butch Thompson choose to match up pitchers against Beede and the rest of the Vandy staff, who could be considered the best pitching staff in the nation.</p>
<p>Now that MSU has some confidence and momentum to go with the talent, they will hopefully be ready for next weekend's big test. With no mid-week game this week, the Bulldogs will have all week to practice and get ready for the home matchup with top-5 Vandy next weekend. Should be a fun series. I can't wait.</p>
<p>Hail State</p>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/bulldogs-baseball/2014/3/16/5514390/mississippi-state-takes-4-1-victory-and-series-win-over-georgia-in-saturday-finalecristilmethod2014-03-15T15:46:30-04:002014-03-15T15:46:30-04:00MSU Rides Starting Mitchell to Win over Georgia
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qkaRBLKzkU9IYwHHDoolBX2BHC0=/0x40:782x561/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30117165/20120602_kdl_av1_172.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With weather forcing a doubleheader in Athens Saturday, Mississippi State turned to Ross Mitchell to get the start in Saturday's first contest, and he turned in the most dominant starting performance of the season for the Bulldogs.</p> <p>Ross Mitchell made only second start of his career for Mississippi State—his first since a start against Mercer his freshman year—and showed that he could do more than come in for long relief as he held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsports.com/">Georgia Bulldogs</a> to four hits and one run in a complete game appearance Saturday at Foley Field in Athens.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs had originally designated Trevor Fitts as the game two starter, but when weather forced the squads into doubleheader action, Mississippi State announced Mitchell (3-1) as the game two starter and later named Fitts the starter for game three.</p>
<p>Mississippi State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third thanks in part to a two-run double by Alex Detz that scored Jake Vickerson and Matthew Britton, who hit a double to score Zack Randolph, who reached on a walk.</p>
<p>Georgia had an opportunity to answer in the bottom of the fourth with bases loaded and two outs, but Mitchell—characteristically—picked up a ground ball out to end the threat.</p>
<p>Mississippi State struck again in the top of the seventh to push their lead to 5-0. Cody Brown and Randolph reached base to start the inning, and Britton scored them both with a single to chase Georgia starter Robert Tyler. After Jarrett Brown entered for the Bulldogs, Mississippi State scored one more run on a Brett Pirtle RBI single to give Mississippi State a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.</p>
<p>In the bottom of the eighth, Georgia (13-7, 1-1) put their only run on the board thanks to an RBI-double by Hunter Cole.</p>
<p>The win gave Mississippi State (14-8,1-1) their first victory in SEC play for the 2014 season, and it gave John Cohen his first win in Athens as the skipper in Starkville.</p>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/3/15/5512432/mississippi-state-bulldogs-baseball-georgia-ross-mitchell-startjustinrsutton2014-03-15T08:11:34-04:002014-03-15T08:11:34-04:00MSU Drops SEC Opener at Georgia 7-1
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a2NXng40SY4Y723gvcGMXkLPtog=/0x35:549x401/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30095645/20120602_kdl_av1_170.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For the fifth consecutive year, the Bulldogs opened up SEC play with a loss.</p> <p>Mississippi State third baseman Alex Detz picked up three hits Friday night, but the Georgia Bulldogs scored in five out of eight innings to pick up a 7-1 victory at Foley Field in Athens.</p>
<p>Georgia (13-6, 1-0) forced Mississippi State (13-8, 0-1) to go to the bullpen early when they chased the Bulldogs starter Ben Bracewell (2-2) after just two innings on the mound. Georgia's Conor Welton picked up a one-out single in the first inning and later scored on an error to put the home team up 1-0. In the second inning, Daniel Nichols led off the inning with a single and later scored on a Jess Posey double after advancing to second an a passed ball to put Georgia ahead 2-0. Posey scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Stephen Wrenn to give Georgia a 3-0 lead. Bracewell managed to avoid anymore trouble in the inning, but John Cohen turned the game over to Austin Sexton at the start of the bottom of the third inning.</p>
<p>In the third Sexton walked leadoff batter Jared Walsh, and Nichols made him pay with a two-run homer to put Georgia ahead 5-0. Sexton retired five of the next six batters he faced to keep Georgia from doing more damage before handing the ball to Vance Tatum at the start of the bottom of the fifth inning.</p>
<p>Before Tatum took the hill, the Bulldogs picked up two hits in the top of the fifth inning on back-to-back one-out singles by Derrick Armstrong and Demarcus Henderson, but Zack Randolph hit a fly ball to centerfield, and Henderson ended up being doubled up on the play to end the inning.</p>
<p>Just like Sexton before him, Tatum gave up a run in his first inning of work when Walsh, who singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, scored on a Posey double to put Georgia ahead 6-0 after five frames. In the sixth inning, Georgia struck again when Nelson Ward singled and later scored on a wild pitch to increase Georgia's lead to 7-0, forcing Cohen to go to Myles Gentry, who finished the game for the Bulldogs.</p>
<p>In the top of the eighth , Mississippi State finally got to Georgia starter Ryan Lawlor (2-1), picking up its only run of the game thanks to a Wes Rea RBI single. Randolph reached base on an error, and he advanced to scoring position on a single by Detz before Rea drove him home with another single to make the score 7-1.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs will now look to avoid a tenth consecutive loss in Athens when the teams meet in the second game of the series at 11 am CT.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><b>Notes of Interest</b></h2>
<p>
</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Coming into the game in quite a slump (0-18), Alex Detz went 3 for 4, picking up his sixth multi-hit game of the year.</span></li>
<li><span>The Bulldogs have now dropped their SEC Opener in five consecutive seasons. Last year, Mississippi State lost their first three SEC series.</span></li>
<li><span>Mississippi State now stands 40-45 all-time against Georgia.</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/3/15/5511392/mississippi-state-bulldogs-drop-baseball-sec-opener-at-georgia-7-1-fridayjustinrsutton2014-03-14T16:03:19-04:002014-03-14T16:03:19-04:00MSU vs. Georgia - Series Info and Weekend Sched.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cir6xpvSYDznL9DB8zWXf7vGmGc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30063783/184228324.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Your pitching matchups, news, and more for the all-Bulldogs match this weekend as well as other college baseball action around the nation and SEC.</p> <p>With the non-conference portion of the schedule concluded (<i>man, does it seem like the first few weeks flew by to anyone else?</i>), the Mississippi State Bulldogs head to Athens, Georgia this weekend for an all-Bulldog matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs.</p>
<p>After a fairly rough start that featured four straight losses and five out of six to start the season, the Georgia baseball team has righted the ship quite a bit as they come in having won ten games in a row. That streak includes a solid win over shared opponent Western Carolina, as well as an eye-popping 26-7 win this past week over Western Kentucky. Whether it's an easier schedule of late or just that they've gotten on track, Georgia coach Scott Stricklin (<i>no, they didn't steal ours... I don't think</i>) seems to have his team in a great position entering conference play.</p>
<p>On the Mississippi State side of things, the Dogs come in with two straight wins following what was a nightmare weekend at the Hi Corbett Classic in Tuscon last weekend. The good news is that MSU looked its best in the Sunday game, and they were able to add a win in the midweek over Southern Illinois to enter SEC play on at least a bit of a brighter note. Still, there are lots of questions for the maroon and white as conference play starts, namely which pitchers will anchor the rotation, and can State break out offensively. Even in its wins so far this season, we haven't really seen State have a big-time offensive game. That's certainly something they are capable of if they can get hot, so it will be interesting to see how State's bats respond now to the SEC portion of the schedule.</p>
<p>As for the pitching staff, there has been a bit of shakeup entering this weekend as Ben Bracewell moves into the Friday slot, replacing Brandon Woodruff. Bracewell has pitched very well thus far, while Woodruff has not, so the senior will get the nod for the conference opener. Woodruff so far has not had a quality start, and that's a major concern going forward for State. Despite that, if Bracewell, Trevor Fitts and either Austin Sexton or Dakota Hudson can eat up innings for State this weekend, that devastating bullpen should fill the rest in nicely.</p>
<p>Ultimately, it is hard to know what to expect out of this matchup this weekend. If you had asked me in the preseason what I expected, I would have likely told you I expected sweep, but now I'm not sure what will happen. State is not playing well right now, but the talent is still there. If State can put it all together, I still think a series win - or even a sweep - is certainly possible. BUT - and it's a big but, like the mother's in the Nutty Professor - if State comes out like they did last weekend, this could be a bad opening weekend of SEC play. I do think State comes out ready to play this weekend, though, after last weekend's disappointment, and I think the Mississippi edition of the Bulldogs go into Athens and get the series win.</p>
<p>Here's to hoping I'm right (even though most of the time I'm not).</p>
<p><i>all times and pitching matchups courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hailstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=209433475">HailState.com</a></i></p>
<h4>Game Times and Pitching Matchups (All times Central, matchups subject to change)<br>
</h4>
<p><i>Friday - 6 p.m. - Foley Field - Athens, Georiga</i><br>- RSr. RHP Ben Bracewell (<i>2-1, 1.74 ERA</i>) vs. So. LHP Ryan Lawlor (<i>1-1, 6.61 ERA</i>)</p>
<p><i>Saturday - 11 a.m. - Foley Field</i><br>- Jr. RHP Trevor Fitts (<i>2-0, 3.92 ERA</i>) vs. Fr. RHP Robert Tyler (<i>0.93 ERA</i>)</p>
<p><i>Sunday - 12 p.m. - Foley Field</i><br>- TBA vs. Sr. LHP Patrick Boling (<i>2-1, 2.57 ERA</i>)</p>
<h4>Leading Hitters</h4>
<p><i>Georgia<br></i>- Hunter Cole, OF/3B | .377 avg, 26 hits, 1 HR, 11 RBIs, .522 slg%<br>- Conor Welton, OF | .361 avg, 26 hits, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, .444 slg%</p>
<p><i>Mississippi State</i><br>- C.T. Bradford, CF | .333 avg, 18 hits, 4 3B, 10 RBIs, 2 SB, .500 slg%<br>- Demarcus Henderson, OF | .333 avg, .472 ob%, 14 hits, 8 SBs, 4 RBIs</p>
<h4>Links</h4>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/weekend-preview-march-14-16/">Baseball America Weekend Preview</a> - 3/14 to 3/16<br>MSU vs. Georgia - <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hailstate.com/fls/16800/pdf/bb/031414-UGA.pdf?ATCLID=209433475&SPSID=90857&DB_LANG=C&&&&&SPID=10993&DB_OEM_ID=16800">Game Notes</a> (via HailState.com)<br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-basebl/geo-m-basebl-body.html">Georgia Baseball Homepage</a></p>
<h4>Top 25 Weekend Matchups</h4>
<p>- (21) Mississippi at (1) South Carolina<br>- (5) North Carolina State at (2) Florida State<br>- Boston College at (3) Virginia<br>- (4) Oregon State at Utah<br>- (6) Louisiana-Lafayette at Louisiana-Monroe<br>- (8) Louisiana State at (7) Vanderbilt<br>- St. Mary's at (9) Cal State Fullerton<br>- Kansas at (10) Texas<br>- Wagner at (11) Cal Poly<br>- Southern California at (12) Oregon<br>- (13) Miami at Georgia Tech<br>- (14) Clemson at Wake Forest<br>- (15) Rice at Florida International<br>- (16) Indiana at Long Beach State<br>- Samford at (17) Louisville<br>- (18) Sam Houston State at New Orleans<br>- (19) North Carolina at Maryland<br>- (20) Kentucky at Alabama<br>- (22) Tennessee at Missouri<br>- Wichita State at (23) UC Santa Barbara<br>- (24) Mississippi State at Georgia<br>- (25) UCLA at California</p>
<h4>SEC Weekend Matchups</h4>
<p>- Texas A&M at Auburn<br>- Arkansas at Florida<br>- (21) Ole Miss at (1) South Carolina<br>- (24) Mississippi State at Georgia<br>- (22) Tennessee at Missouri<br>- (20) Kentucky at Alabama<br>- (8) LSU at (7) Vanderbilt</p>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/bulldogs-baseball/2014/3/14/5509422/msu-vs-georgia--sec-baseball-weekend-schedule-game-times-pitching-matchups-and-morecristilmethod