MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOG BASEBALL 2008

Transcription

1 SCHEDULE/RESULTS FEBRUARY 22 at North Florida...W, at North Florida...L, at North Florida...L, UAB...W, AIR FORCE... 4:00 p.m. MARCH 1 AIR FORCE... 2:00 p.m. 2 AIR FORCE... 1:30 p.m. 4 ARK-LITTLE ROCK... 4:00 p.m. 5 ARK-LITTLE ROCK... 4:00 p.m. 7 BAYLOR... 4:00 p.m. 8 BAYLOR Note new time... 6:00 p.m. 9 BAYLOR... 1:30 p.m. 11 MISS. VALLEY ST.... 4:00 p.m. 12 MISS. VALLEY ST.... 4:00 p.m. 14 OLE MISS... 6:30 p.m. 15 OLE MISS... 2:00 p.m. 16 OLE MISS... 1:30 p.m. 18 at UAB... 6:30 p.m. 21 at South Carolina...6:00 p.m. 22 at South Carolina...3:00 p.m. 23 at South Carolina... 12:30 p.m. 25 SOUTH ALABAMA... 6:30 p.m. 26 SOUTH ALABAMA... 6:30 p.m. 28 GEORGIA... 6:30 p.m. 29 GEORGIA... 2:00 p.m. 30 GEORGIA... 1:30 p.m. APRIL 1 AUSTIN PEAY... 6:30 p.m. 2 AUSTIN PEAY... 6:30 p.m. 4 at Kentucky... 5:30 p.m. 5 at Kentucky... 5:30 p.m. 6 at Kentucky... 12:00 p.m. 8 at Memphis (AutoZone Park)... 6:30 p.m. 11 VANDERBILT... 6:30 p.m. 12 VANDERBILT... 2:00 p.m. 13 VANDERBILT... 1:30 p.m. 15 vs. Ole Miss (Trustmark Park)... 6:30 p.m. 18 at Alabama... 6:30 p.m. 19 at Alabama... 4:00 p.m. 20 at Alabama... 2:00 p.m. 22 at Southern Miss... 6:30 p.m. 23 at Southern Miss... 6:30 p.m. 25 TENNESSEE... 6:30 p.m. 26 TENNESSEE... 2:00 p.m. 27 TENNESSEE... 1:30 p.m. MAY 2 at Auburn... 6:00 p.m. 3 at Auburn... 6:00 p.m. 4 at Auburn... 2:00 p.m. 6 at Middle Tennessee St.... 6:00 p.m. 7 at Middle Tennessee St.... 6:00 p.m. 9 at Louisiana State... 7:00 p.m. 10 at Louisiana State... 3:00 p.m. 11 at Louisiana State...1:00 p.m. 13 MEMPHIS... 6:30 p.m. 15 ARKANSAS... 6:30 p.m. 16 ARKANSAS... 6:30 p.m. 17 ARKANSAS... 3:00 p.m. May SEC Tournament (Regions Park - Hoover, Ala.) May 30-June 2 NCAA Regionals (sites TBA) June 6-8/7-9 Super Regionals (sites TBA) June 14-24/25 College World Series (Omaha, Neb.) MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOG BASEBALL 2008 Feb. 29-Mar. 2 MSU Baseball Media Relations FAX DIAMOND DOGS ENTERTAIN THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY FALCONS Mississippi State (2-2) plays host to the Air Force Academy Falcons (1-3) in this weekend s three-game series. It s the fi rst of seven weekend home series for the Diamond Dogs in 2008, who also host Baylor, Mississippi, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Arkansas in three-game sets. Due to scheduling confl icts with basketball, the radio broadcasts for the MSU-AFA games will be varied. Friday s game will be carried by WFCA-FM (107.9), Saturday s game on WMSV-FM (92.1) and Sunday s game on the internet only on Maroon to the Max, the premium extension of the offi cial MSU athletics web site www. MStateAthletics.com. All three games will be videocast on Maroon to the Max with Friday s game offered at no charge. The audio cast of Sunday s game will also be offered at no charge. The fi rst MSU Baseball Radio Network broadcast is the March 9 series fi nale against Baylor in the eighth annual Cadence Bank Classic. THE MSU/AF SERIES BEGINS This weekend s competition marks the fi rst on the Diamond between the Diamond Dogs and the Falcons and State s fi rst against a service academy team. MSU is 3-3 overall against teams from the Mountain West Conference (1-2 vs. Brigham Young and 2-0 vs. Nevada-Las Vegas). Air Force is 0-4 all-time against SEC teams REUNION GAME NO. 2 In 2008, Mississippi State faces fi ve teams whose head coaches once served on the coaching staff at MSU. Air Force is the second of those teams. The Falcons are coached by Mike Hutcheon, who served as a graduate assistant coach at State in 1988 and in 1989 when the Bulldogs set a school record with 54 wins. Hutch later served fi ve seasons as head coach at Belhaven College in Jackson, Miss. A native of Gunnison, Colo., Hutcheon enters the weekend with a record in four-plus seasons as the head baseball coach at Air Force. Hutcheon s wife Laura (Wright) is a native of Jackson, Miss., and a former Mississippi State cheerleader. She currently serves as cheerleading coach at Air Force. LAST TIME OUT A fi fth-inning two-out grand slam by freshman DH Jason Nappi erased a 3-2 defi cit and lifted MSU to a 9-2 win over UAB Tuesday in MSU s home-opener at chilly. The Bulldogs hammered out a 10 hits, a season-high three by freshman catcher Cody Freeman. Freshman lefty Forrest Moore (1-0) struck out fi ve in 5.0 IP and picked up the win in his fi rst career start and his fi rst mound appearance at Dudy Noble Field. Nappi s home run was his fi rst, the team s fi fth (all by different players) and MSU s second with the bases loaded. Junior relief ace Aaron Weatherford worked two innings of scoreless relief to earn his fi rst save of the season. MSU s PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP 1B 11-Tyler Moore (6-1, 209, Jr., Brandon, Miss.).200 / 4 GS / 3H / 3 BB 28 2-Brandon Turner (6-0, 189, So., Cleveland, Tenn.).444 / 2 GS / 1 HR / 4 RBI 7-Ryan Powers (6-1, 205, Fr., Brandon, Miss.).143 / 2 GS / 1-for-7 SS 5-Russ Sneed (6-2, 213, So., Senatobia, Miss.).353 / 4 GS / 6 H / 3 BB gm hitting streak 3B 25-Connor Powers (6-2, 230, So., Naperville, Ill.).154 / 4 GS / 1 HR / 3 RBI DH 18-Jason Nappi (6-0, 209, Fr., Birmingham, Ala.).571 / 4 GS / 3-2B / 1 HR / 6 RBI -- 4-gm hitting streak C 29-Cody Freeman (6-0, 187, Fr., Collinsville, Miss.).667 / 2 GS / 4 H / 1-2B / 2 RBI 14-Ryan Duffy (6-0, 219, So., West Melbourne, Fla.).167 / 1 GS / 1 HR / 3 RBI 36-Johnny Allen (6-2, 221, Jr., Grenada, Miss.).600 / 1 GS / 3-H / 2-2B / 2 RBI LF 20-Nick Hardy (6-0, 185, Jr., Flora, Miss.).250 / 2 GS / 2 H / 1-2B / 1 RBI 38-Ryan Collins (6-0, 189, Fr., Callaway, Fla.).000 / 2 GS / 4-BB / 1 RBI CF 15-Mark Goforth (6-0, 204, Jr., Covington, Tenn.).091 / 2 GS / 1 H / 1 BB 3-Grant Hogue (6-0, 193, Jr., Hattiesburg, Miss.).500 / 2 GS / 3 H / 5 R / 3 BB / 1 RBI / 3 SB RF 27-Jeff Flagg (6-6, 246, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.).167 / 2 GS / 1 H / 1-2B / 0 RBI 19-Andy Rice (6-1, 205, Sr., Amory, Miss.).300 / 2 GS / 3 H / 1-2B / 1-HR (grand slam) / 4 RBI The weekend pitching rotation Fri. 6-Justin Pigott (5-11, 186, Sr., LHP., Picayune, Miss.) 1-0 / 1 GS / 3.60 / 5.0 IP / 3 BB / 9 K Sat. 17-Chad Crosswhite (6-0, 203, Jr., Brandon, Miss.) 0-0 / 1 GS / / 5.0 IP / 2 BB / 3 K Sun. 31-Ricky Bowen (6-3, 197, Sr., Jasper, Ala.) 0-1 / 1 GS / / 4.0 IP / 4 BB / 1 K TUE 4 UA-Little Rock 4 p.m. CST Radio: WFCA-FM WED 5 UA-Little Rock 4 p.m. CST Radio: WFCA-FM THU 6 Practice Day FRI 29 Air Force 4:00 p.m. CST Radio: WFCA-FM Probable starter LHP-Justin Pigott (1-0, 3.60, 9 Ks) SAT 1 Air Force 2:00 p.m. CST Radio: WMSV-FM Probable starter RHP-Chad Crosswhite (0-0, 12.60, 7 Ks) SUN 2 Air Force 1:30 p.m. CST Radio: internet only Probable starter RHP-Ricky Bowen (0-0, 15.75, 1 K)

2 THE RON POLK WORKSHEET PERSONAL BACKGROUND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Birthdate: January 12, 1944 College: Grand Canyon (Ariz.) University (1965), Birthplace: Boston, Mass. Arizona (M.A., 1966), New Mexico (doctoral stuies, 1967) HEAD COACHING CAREER OVERALL CONF SECT NCAA CWS Year School W-L Pct. W-L W-L W-L W-L 1972 Georgia Southern Georgia Southern Georgia Southern Georgia Southern GEORGIA SOUTHERN (4 years) Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State * Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State * Mississippi State Mississippi State * Mississippi State Mississippi State * Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State MISSISSIPPI STATE (22 years) Georgia Georgia * / GEORGIA (2 years) / Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State Mississippi State / Mississippi State MISSISSIPPI STATE (6 years) / MSU career (28+ years) 1, / SEC career (30+ years) 1, / Overall career (34+ years) 1, / * Southeastern Conference Champions + SEC Tournament Champions SEC Championships: 5 (1979, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2001) SEC Tournament Championships: 5 (1979, 1985, 1987, 1990, 2005) NCAA Regional/Playoff Appearances: 23 (1973, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) College World Series Appearances: 8 (1973, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1990, 1997, 2001, 2007) MSU SKIPPER RON POLK Ron Polk, who has piled up more wins than any coach in any sport in the history of the Southeastern Conference, is in his 29th season as head baseball coach at Mississippi State University. The MSU skipper began the 2008 campaign with a 1, overall and SEC record in 28 seasons at State. He fi rst joined the MSU coaching staff in 1976, guiding MSU to an record, 15 NCAA regionals and fi ve College World Series appearances before retiring from coaching following MSU s 1997 advancement to the CWS. After two years in administration at State, he returned to coaching as head coach at Georgia, guiding the UGA Bulldogs to the 2001 SEC title and a berth in the CWS. The Boston native returned to Starkville as head coach in 2002, and has guided State to NCAA tournament berths the last fi ve seasons, including a return trip to the College World Series in An inductee into four coaching halls of fame, Polk has in 34 seasons as a head coach compiled a 1, mark. He ranks fi fth in wins among current NCAA Division I head coaches and seventh among the division s all-time leaders in wins. Twenty-three of his 34 teams at Georgia Southern, Georgia and Mississippi State have advanced to NCAA postseason play, with eight of those teams advancing to the CWS. He is one of only three coaches in college baseball history to direct three different programs to the College World Series. Some 30 players and coaches associated with Polk entered the 2008 season as baseball head coaches on the collegiate or high school level, including six that will be coaching opposite Polk this season. RON POLK AMONG NCAA LEADERS IN WINS WINNINGEST ALL-TIME NCAA DIVISION I COACHES By victories * Indicates active coach Name Yrs. Won Lost Tied Pct. 1. * Augie Garrido, Texas 39 1, * Gene Stephenson, Wichita State 30 1, * Mike Martin, Florida State 28 1, * Larry Hayes, Texas Tech 37 1, Chuck Hartman, Virginia Tech 47 1, Cliff Gustafson, Texas 29 1, * Ron Polk, Mississippi State 34 1, Rod Dedeaux, Southern California 44 1, Larry Cochell, Oklahoma 39 1, Bob Bennett, Fresno State 34 1, WINNINGEST ACTIVE NCAA DIVISION I COACHES By victories Name Yrs. Won Lost Tied Pct. 1. Augie Garrido, Texas 39 1, Gene Stephenson, Wichita State 30 1, Mike Martin, Florida State 28 1, Larry Hayes, Texas Tech 37 1, Ron Polk, Mississippi State 34 1, Mark Marquess, Stanford 31 1, Jay Bergman, Central Florida 31 1, Jim Morris, Miami 26 1, Jim Gilligan, Lamar 31 1, Pete Dunn, Stetson 28 1, WINNINGEST ACTIVE NCAA DIVISION I COACHES By percentage (min. five years as a Division I head coach) Name Yrs. Won Lost Tied Pct. 1. Gene Stephenson, Wichita State 30 1, Mike Fox, North Carolina Mike Martin, Florida State 28 1, Wayne Graham, Rice Jim Morris, Miami 26 1, Ray Tanner, South Carolina Rick Jones, Tulane Steve Owens, Le Moyne Augie Garrido, Texas 39 1, Mike Anderson, Nebraska Jim Wells, Alabama Dave Van Horn, Arkansas Ron Polk, Mississippi State 34 1, Mark Johnson, Sam Houston State Records shown are pre-2008 records

3 RARE MSU SEASON OPENER ON THE ROAD The visit to Jacksonville last weekend marked the fi rst time the Diamond Dogs had opened a season away from since 2000 when State, then skippered by Pat McMahon, competed in the 2000 Coca Cola Classic hosted in Mobile, Ala., by South Alabama. The Bulldogs are now 22-7 in season-opening competition during Coach Ron Polk s 29 seasons at Mississippi State, 19-3 at Dudy Noble Field, 2-2 away and 1-2 in neutral site contests. RADIO VOICE OF DIAMOND DOGS JIM ELLIS BEGINS 30TH SEASON Veteran MSU sportscaster Jim Ellis begins his 30th season as the radio voice of Mississippi State baseball. The West Point, Miss., native and 1969 MSU grad began his affi liation with MSU baseball in 1979 and is largely responsible for the creation and growth of the MSU Baseball Radio Network, one of the nation s largest and oldest college baseball radio networks. The network, with nearly two dozen affi liates across the Magnolia State, features a 40-game broadcast schedule of weekend conference games and selected nonconference contests. The 40-game network schedule and the 16 non-network broadcasts are broadcast on WFCA-FM, the 100,000-watt fl agship radio station for MSU athletics. MSU SECOND IN SEC WEST IN COACHES POLL The SEC baseball coaches tabbed Mississippi State for a second place Western Division fi nish in the 17th annual preseason SEC Baseball Coaches Poll. Vanderbilt, the defending SEC Eastern Division and overall league champion, and Ole Miss were the coaches picks to win their respective divisions. The Bulldogs, picked a year ago by the league coaches to fi nish sixth in the SEC West and at the bottom of the conference, took runner-up honors in the SEC West and went on to be the league s lone representative in the NCAA College World Series SEC COACHES PRESEASON POLL WESTERN DIVISION EASTERN DIVISION Team (No. 1 votes) Pts. 07 SEC Rec/Fin. Team (No. 1 votes) Pts. 07 SEC Rec/Fin. 1. Ole Miss (10) / 3rd 1. Vanderbilt (10) / 1st 2. Mississippi State / 2nd 2. South Carolina (3) / 2nd 3. Arkansas (3) / 1st 3. Kentucky (1) / 5th 4. Auburn / 6th 4. Georgia (1) / 6th 5. Louisiana State / 5th 5. Florida / 3rd 6. Alabama / 4th 6. Tennessee / 4th ( ) First-place divisional votes TEAM CAPTAINS For the fi rst time in school history Mississippi State has three team captains in baseball. Following fall practice, senior pitchers John Lalor of Germantown, Tenn., and Justin Pigott of Picayune, Miss., and junior hurler Chad Crosswhite of Brandon, Miss., were elected by their teammates to serve as captains in Among other duties, one of the team captains accompanies head coach Ron Polk to the home plate area prior to each game for the exchange of lineups and meeting with the umpires. TICKET SALES UPDATE Fans of Mississippi State baseball have for the seventh consecutive season eclipsed the 5,000 mark in baseball season tickets. As of Feb. 28, the MSU Athletic Ticket Offi ce had processed orders for 5,104 baseball season tickets, with sales continuing on into the season MSU sold 5,364 baseball season tickets in 2007, the third-highest sales total in school history and the sixth consecutive sales total of 5,000 or better. MSU averaged a school-record 6,939 in paid home attendance in Year Sales , , , , , , ,104 CURRENT DOGS IN THE DRAFT Three current members of the Mississippi State baseball team have been had their names called in past Major League Baseball drafts --- freshman pitcher Forrest Moore, junior fi rst baseman Tyler Moore and senior outfi elder Andy Rice. Tyler Moore, in fact, is a two-time draftee and was chosen by the same team, the Washington Nationals, in 2005 and Forrest Moore (Detroit, 32nd round, 2007) Tyler Moore (Washington, 41st round, 2005) (Washington, 33rd round, 2006) Andy Rice (New York Yankees, 48th round, 2005) BACK AT HOME Mississippi State is engaged in a season-longest 14-game home stand. Following this weekend s Air Force series, the Bulldogs host Arkansas-Little Rock (Mar. 4-5), Baylor (Mar. 7-9) in the eighth annual Cadence Bank Classic, Mississippi Valley State (Mar ) and, on the fi rst weekend of SEC competittion, instate rival Mississippi (Mar ). Two of those teams are currently ranked among the nation s top 15 by Baseball America --- No. 2 Mississippi and No. 13 Baylor. PAPELBON RETURNS FOR FIRST PITCH, MEET THE TEAM CELEBRATION Former Mississippi State pitching standout Jonathan Papelbon, who helped pitch the Boston Red Sox to the championship of the 2007 World Series, was the featured speaker at the 11th annual First Pitch/Meet the Team baseball celebration Feb. 28 on the MSU campus. Papelbon, from Jacksonville, Fla., pitched at Mississippi State from 2001 to 2003, registering nine wins, 13 saves and a 2.90 earned run average in 61 relief appearances. He led the MSU bullpen in saves both his sophomore and junior seasons before concluding his MSU career with 13 saves, seventh-most in school history. He was drafted in the fourth round by Boston in the 2003 Major League draft and made a rapid ascent through the Red Sox system. He made his debut in Major League Baseball in July Papelbon recorded his fi rst career save on the second day of the 2006 season and went on to register one of the most dominant seasons ever for a rookie reliever, tallying 35 saves (a Red Sox rookie season record) with an 0.92 ERA while holding opponents to a miniscule.167 batting average. For his efforts, he was named to the 2006 American League All-Star team and fi nished second in the balloting for the AL Rookie of the Year award. Papelbon s resume grew considerably in 2007 when he fi nished the season with 37 saves, becoming the youngest Boston hurler on record to post back-toback 30-save seasons. For the second consecutive year he was named to the American League All-Star team and was honored as the 2007 recipient of the DHL Presents the Major League Delivery Man of the Year Award. The hardthrowing righty was deadly in postseason competition. He did not allow a run in his seven postseason outings and converted all four of his save opportunities. The last two of those saves came against Colorado in the World Series, including a series-clinching Game 4 performance against the Rockies. The event drew more than 500 fans to the Griffi s Boardroom/Palmeiro Center. Papelbon, who makes his off-season home in Hattiesburg, Miss., with his wife, Ashley, joined an impressive array of previous guest speakers for MSU s First pitch event. That group includes MSU standouts Jeff Brantley, Will Clark, David Boo Ferriss, Alex Grammas, Burke Masters, Jay Powell, Nat Showalter, Bobby Thigpen and Dan Van Cleve, best-selling author and MSU alumnus John Grisham and former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. THIS WEEKEND IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE February 29 Alabama vs. Nevada (Frisco, Texas), Arkansas vs. La. Tech (College Station, Texas), Florida State at Auburn, Florida at Miami, Georgia at Oregon State, Butler at Kentucky, Duquesne at LSU, Indiana State at Ole Miss, Air Force at Mississippi State, Tennessee vs. Texas (Houston, Texas), Kansas at Vanderbilt March 1 Alabama vs. Dallas Baptist (Frisco, Texas), Arkansas at Texas A&M, Auburn at Florida State, Florida at Miami, Georgia at Oregon State, Butler at Kentucky (DH), Duquesne at LSU, Indiana State at Ole Miss, Air Force at Mississippi State, Clemson at South Carolina, Tennessee vs. Texas Tech (Houston, Texas), Iowa at Vanderbilt March 2 Alabama at Texas-Arlington (Frisco, Texas), Arkansas vs. Ohio State (College Station, Texas), Auburn at Florida State, Florida at Miami, Georgia at Oregon State, Butler at Kentucky, Duquesne at LSU, Indiana State at Ole Miss, Air Force at Mississippi State, Clemson at South Carolina, Tennessee vs. Texas Tech (Houston, Texas), Xavier at Vanderbilt

4 2008 GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS (4 games) MSU Opp. Overall SEC Tickets Actual Date Opponent Score R-H-E-LOB R-H-E-LOB Inn. Rec. Rec. MSU Pitcher of Record/Save GW-RBI Distrib. Attend Time Feb. 22 at North Florida Justin Pigott (1-0) Andy Rice (1) 1,191 1,191 3:18 Feb. 23 at North Florida Michael Busby (0-1) --- 1,121 1,121 3:48 Feb. 24 at North Florida Ricky Bowen (0-1) --- 1,048 1,048 3:11 Feb. 26 UAB F. Moore (1-0), A. Weatherford (Sv-1) Jason Nappi (1) 5, :08 Feb. 29 AIR FORCE Mar. 1 AIR FORCE Mar. 2 AIR FORCE Mar. 4 ARK-LITTLE ROCK Mar. 5 ARK-LITTLE ROCK Mar. 7 BAYLOR Mar. 8 BAYLOR Mar. 9 BAYLOR Mar. 11 MISS. VALLEY STATE Mar. 12 MISS. VALLEY STATE Mar. 13 MISS. VALLEY STATE Mar. 14 OLE MISS Mar. 15 OLE MISS Mar. 16 OLE MISS Mar. 18 at UAB Mar. 21 at South Carolina Mar. 22 at South Carolina Mar. 23 at South Carolina Mar. 25 SOUTH ALABAMA Mar. 26 SOUTH ALABAMA Mar. 28 GEORGIA Mar. 29 GEORGIA Mar. 30 GEORGIA Apr. 1 AUSTIN PEAY Apr. 2 AUSTN PEAY Apr. 4 at Kentucky Apr. 5 at Kentucky Apr. 6 at Kentucky Apr. 8 at Memphis Apr. 11 VANDERBILT Apr. 12 VANDERBILT Apr. 13 VANDERBILT Apr. 15 vs. Ole Miss Apr. 18 at Alabama Apr. 19 at Alabama Apr. 20 at Alabama Apr. 22 at Southern Miss Apr. 23 at Southern Miss Apr. 25 TENNESSEE Apr. 26 TENNESSEE Apr. 27 TENNESSEE May 2 at Auburn May 3 at Auburn May 4 at Auburn May 6 at Middle Tennessee State May 7 at Middle Tennessee State May 9 at Louisiana State May 10 at Louisiana State May 11 at Louisiana State May 13 MEMPHIS May 15 ARKANSAS May 16 ARKANSAS May 17 ARKANSAS % --- Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (Jacksonville, Fla.) ^ --- AutoZone Park (Memphis, Tenn.) # --- Trustmark Park (Pearl, Miss.) Starting pitchers shown underlined - complete-games in CAPS - complete-game wins in bold CAPS * Estimated attendance actual attendance not available MSU s record when... Playing at : Playing away: Playing at a neutral site:... Vs. SEC overall:... Vs. SEC at home:... Vs. SEC away:... In SEC Tournament:... In NCAA Tournament:... Vs. Non-conference: Vs. Non-conference at home: Vs. Non-conference away: Vs. Non-conference neutral:... Playing a day game: Playing a night game:... In one-run games:... In two-run games:... In five+-run games: In extra-inning games... In shutouts:... In doubleheaders:... When scoring first: When opponent scores first: When scoring 10 or more runs:... When allowing 10 or more runs:. 0-2 When scoring 5 runs or less:... When allowing five runs or less:. 2-0 When hitting at least 1 HR: When allowing at least 1 HR: When out-hitting an opponent: When out-hit by an opponent: When matching opponents hits:... When facing starting LHP: When facing starting RHP: When leading after 7th inning: When trailing after 7th inning: When tied after 7th inning:... Games decided in last at-bat:... When not committing an error: When committing 2+ errors: Vs. top 25-ranked opponents:... Vs. teams ranked in the top 10:... On Sunday: On Monday:... On Tuesday: On Wednesday:... On Thursday:... On Friday: On Saturday: In February: In March:... In April:... In May:... In June:...

5 STARTERS BY POSITION... 1B 2B SS 3B LF CF RF C DH T. Moore Turner Sneed C. Powers Collins Goforth Rice Freeman Nappi T. Moore Turner Sneed C. Powers Hardy Hogue Flagg Allen Nappi T. Moore R. Powers Sneed C. Powers Colli ns Goforth Rice Duffy Nappi T. Moore R. Powers Sneed C. Powers Hardy Hogue Flagg Freeman Nappi T. Moore Turner Sneed C. Powers Collins Goforth Rice Freeman Nappi PRESEASON HONORS Sophomore second baseman Brandon Turner (Cleveland, Tenn.) and junior relief pitcher Aaron Weatherford (Crystal Springs, Miss.) began the season on the receiving end of several impressive honors. Turner, who as a rookie compiled the SEC s second-highest batting average in 2007 (.399), is among 75 players named to the initial watch list for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award. In December Turner and Weatherford were named to the watch list for another national player of the year award, the Brooks Wallace Award. The NCBWA named both Turner and Weatherford to its second-team preseason All-America team while SEBaseball.com tabbed accorded the duo fi rstteam preseason All-SEC selections. CollegeBaseballInsider.com rated Turner as on the top three pure hitters in the SEC. Weatherford, who tallied fi ve saves and a 1.82 earned run average after a midseason move to the bullpen last spring, is on the initial watch list for the 2008 Stopper of the Year Award presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). HITTING STREAKS A pair of sophomores entered the 2008 campaign riding modest hitting streaks from last year s postseason run. Sophomore third baseman/shortstop Russ Sneed (Senatobia, Miss.) closed out his rookie season riding a seven-game hitting streak, while second baseman Brandon Turner had hits in his last six games, one of those a home run in State s College World Series fi nale against Louisville. Turner registered a team-leading STARTERS BY BATTING ORDER... Gm Date Opponent (score) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th at North Florida (W, 8-2) Goforth Sneed Turner Powers Nappi T. Moore Rice Freeman Collins at North Florida (L, 9-17) Hogue Sneed Turner Powers T. Moore Flagg Nappi Allen Hardy at North Florida (L, 6-11) Goforth Sneed C. Powers Nappi Rice T. Moore Collins Duffy R. Powers UAB (W, 9-2) Hogue Sneed C. powers Nappi T. Moore Flagg Hardy Freeman R. Powers AIR FORCE Goforth Sneed Turner Nappi C. Powers Rice T. Moore Freeman Collins AIR FORCE AIR FORCE ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK BAYLOR BAYLOR BAYLOR MISS. VALLEY STATE MISS. VALLEY STATE OLE MISS OLE MISS OLE MISS at UAB at South Carolina at South Carolina at South Carolina SOUTH ALABAMA SOUTH ALABAMA GEORGIA GEORGIA GEORGIA AUSTIN PEAY AUSTIN PEAY at Kentucky at Kentucky at Kentucky at Memphis VANDERBILT VANDERBILT VANDERBILT vs. Ole Miss at Alabama at Alabama at Alabama at Southern Miss at Southern Miss TENNESSEE TENNESSEE TENNESSEE at Auburn at Auburn at Auburn at Middle Tennessee State at Middle Tennessee State at Louisiana State at Louisiana State at Louisiana State MEMPHIS ARKANSAS ARKANSAS ARKANSAS 18-game hitting streak last year. Sneed s hitting streak has continued through the fi rst four games of the 08 season, extending his two-season streak to 11 games. Turner, who sustained a hamstring injury in the second game of the North Florida series, saw his streak end at two games. Redshirt freshman DH Jason Nappi has hit safely in all four games. He tallied four hits in a 4-for-5 showing Feb. 24 in the series fi nale at North Florida and, with a grand slam and a bases-loaded walk, collected fi ve RBI in Tuesday s win over UAB. Both totals are MSU season-highs. Junior outfi elder Grant Hogue has hits in his last three games. NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES A total of 11 players have taken the fi eld for their fi rst collegiate competition for State in the fi rst four games, eight of them as starters. Making their Diamond Dog debuts were c-johnny Allen, p-michael Busby, ph-will Coggin, of-ryan Collins, c-cody Freeman, of-grant Hogue, 1b-Forrest Moore, c-tyler Moore, dh-jason Nappi, 2b-Ryan Powers and p-jared Wesson. MSU IN THE NATIONAL POLLS Baseball America Collegiate Baseball Rivals USA TODAY/ NCBWA ESPN Coaches Writers PRESEASON NR Week 1 (2-26) NR NR NR -- NR Week 2 (3-3)

6 SEASON/CAREER HIGHS (as of February 24, 2008) JOHNNY ALLEN S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 3 at North Florida ( ) At-bats: 3 at North Florida ( ) Runs scored: 1 at North Florida ( ) Total bases: 5 at North Florida ( ) RBI: 2 at North Florida ( ) Hitting streak: 1 game ( ) JET BUTLER S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1 vs. UAB ( ) 3 vs. Southern Miss ( ) At-bats: 1-4x-Last UAB ( ) 4 at Mississippi ( ) Runs scored: 1 vs. UAB ( ) 3 vs. Southern Miss ( ) Total bases: 1 vs. UAB ( ) 7 - vs. Southern Miss ( ) RBI: 1 vs. UAB ( ) 3 vs. Southern Miss ( ) Hitting streak: 1 game ( ) 2 games ( to ) RYAN COLLINS SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: At-bats: 4 at North Florida ( ) Runs scored: 1 at North Florida ( ) Total bases: RBI: 1 at North Florida ( ) Hitting streak: RYAN DUFFY S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1 at North Florida ( )... 3 at Arkansas (4-8-07) At-bats: 4 at North Florida ( )... 5 Jacksonville State (3-7-07) Runs scored: 1 at North Florida ( )... 2 vs. Murray State ( ) Total bases: 4 at North Florida ( )... 8 at Arkansas (4-8-07) RBI: 3 at North Florida ( )...3-2x-Last: at Mississippi ( ) Hitting streak: 1 game ( to -----)... 8 games ( to ) JEFF FLAGG S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 3 at Arkansas (4-8-07)... 3 at Arkansas (4-8-07) At-bats: 5 Jacksonville State (3-7-07)... 5 Jacksonville State (3-7-07) Runs scored: 2 vs. Murray State ( )... 2 vs. Murray State ( ) Total bases: 8 at Arkansas (4-8-07)... 8 at Arkansas (4-8-07) RBI: 3-2x-Last: at Mississippi ( )...3-2x-Last: at Mississippi ( ) Hitting streak: 8 games ( to )... 8 games ( to ) CODY FREEMAN S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 3 vs. UAB ( ) At-bats: 4 vs. UAB ( ) Runs scored: 1 vs. UAB ( ) Total bases: 4 vs. UAB ( ) RBI: 1 2x-Last: vs. UAB ( ) Hitting streak: 1 game ( ) MARK GOFORTH S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1 at North Florida ( ) 3-4x-Last: vs. Mississippi ( ) At-bats: 4-2x-Last: at North Florida ( ) 7 at Mississippi ( ) Runs scored: x-Last: vs. Troy (3-4-07) Total bases: 1 at North Florida ( ) 3-2x-Last at Florida ( ) RBI: at Tennessee ( ) Hitting streak: 1 game ( ) 9 games ( to ) NICK HARDY S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1 at North Florida ( ) 1-5x-Last: vs. Clemson (6-9-07) At-bats: 4 at North Florida ( ) 4 at Florida ( ) Runs scored: 1 at North Florida ( ) 1-3x-Last: vs. Memphis ( ) Total bases: 1 at North Florida ( ) 4 vs. Memphis ( ) RBI: 1 at North Florida ( ) 3 vs. Memphis ( ) Hitting streak: 1 ( ) 2 games ( to ) CADE HOGGARD S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1-7x-Last: Auburn (5-6-07) At-bats: 1 3x-Last: vs. UAB ( ) 4-2x-Last: vs. Auburn (5/4) Runs scored: 1 vs. Murray State ( ) Total bases: 2-2x-Last: at Mississippi ( ) RBI: 1 vs. Murray State ( ) Hitting streak: 3 games ( to ) GRANT HOGUE S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1 3x-Last: vs. UAB ( ) At-bats: 3 vs. UAB ( ) Runs scored: 2 2x-Last: vs. UAB ( ) Total bases: 1 3x-Last: vs. UAB ( ) RBI: 1 at North Florida ( ) Hitting streak: 3 games (2-23 to ) BROOKS LEWIS CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Hits: At-bats: 1 at North Florida ( ) Runs scored: Total bases: RBI: Hitting streak: TYLER MOORE S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 2 at North Florida ( ) At-bats: 4 3x-Last: vs. UAB ( ) Runs scored: 2 at North Florida ( ) Total bases: 5 at North Florida ( ) RBI: Hitting streak: 1 game (2-22 & ) JASON NAPPI S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 4 at North Florida ( ) At-bats: 4 3x-Last: vs. UAB ( ) Runs scored: 2 2x-Last: at North Florida ( ) Total bases: 5 at North Florida ( ) RBI: 5 vs. UAB ( ) Hitting streak: 4 games (2-22 to ) CONNOR POWERS SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1 at North Florida ( ) 4-2x-Last: vs. South Carolina ( ) At-bats: 5 at North Florida ( ) 6-2x-Last: at Mississippi ( ) Runs scored: 1-3x: Last vs. UAB ( ) 3 vs. UL-Monroe (4-3-07) Total bases: 4 at North Florida ( ) 8-3x-Last vs. South Carolina ( ) RBI: 2 at North Florida ( ) 4 - at Florida ( ) Hitting streak: 1 game ( ) RYAN POWER S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 1 vs. UAB ( ) At-bats: 3 vs. UAB ( ) Runs scored: 1 vs. UAB ( ) Total bases: 1 vs. UAB ( ) RBI: Hitting streak: 1 game ( ) RUSS SNEED S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 2-2x 4 at North Florida ( ) 2-6x-Last: at North Florida ( ) At-bats: 5-2x Last: at North Florida ( ) 5-2x-Last: at North Florida ( ) Runs scored: 1-2x Last: at North Florida ( ) 2 at Florida State (6-2-07) Total bases: 3 at North Florida ( ) 5 at Florida State (6-2-07) RBI: 1 at North Florida ( ) 2-3x-Last: vs. North Carolina ( ) Hitting streak: 3 games (2-22 to ) 7 games ( to ) BRANDON TURNER S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Hits: 3 at North Florida ( ) 4 vs. UAB (3-6-07) At-bats: 5 at North Florida ( ) 6-2x-Last: at Mississippi ( ) Runs scored: 1 at North Florida ( ) 3-3x-Last: vs. Memphis ( ) Total bases: 6 at North Florida ( ) 6 at North Florida ( ) RBI: 2-2x Last: at North Florida ( ) 4-2x-Last vs. Mississippi ( ) Hitting streak: 2 games (2-22 to ) 18 games ( ) to )

7 SEASON/CAREER HIGHS (as of February 27, 2008) RICKY BOWEN S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Innings pitched: 4.0 at North Florida ( ) 4.0 at North Florida ( ) Strikeouts: 1 at North Florida ( ) 4 vs. Southern Miss ( ) Walks: 4 at North Florida ( ) 4 at North Florida ( ) Hits allowed: 7 at North Florida ( ) 7 at North Florida ( ) Runs allowed: 7 at North Florida ( ) 7 at North Florida ( ) Earned runs allowed: 7 at North Florida ( ) 7 at North Florida ( ) MICHAEL BUSBY S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 2.0 vs. UAB ( ) Strikeouts: 1 vs. UAB ( ) Walks: 2 vs. UAB ( ) Hits allowed: 1 at North Florida ( ) Runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( ) Earned runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( ) JESSE CARVER S SEASON / CAREER HIGHS Innings pitched: 0.2 at North Florida ( ) at Mississippi ( ) Strikeouts: 2 at North Florida ( )... 4 vs. Memphis ( ) Walks: 0 at North Florida ( ) x-Last: vs. Memphis ( ) Hits allowed: 4 at North Florida ( ) at Mississippi ( ) Runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( )... 6 at Mississippi ( ) Earned runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( )... 5 at Mississippi ( ) CHAD CROSSWHITE S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 5.0 at North Florida ( ) Strikeouts: 3 at North Florida ( ) Walks: 2 at North Florida ( ) Hits allowed: 9 at North Florida ( ) Runs allowed: 7 at North Florida ( ) Earned runs allowed: 7 at North Florida ( ) JOHN LALOR S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 1.0 at North Florida ( ) Strikeouts: 1 at North Florida ( ) Walks: 1 at North Florida ( ) Hits allowed: Runs allowed: Earned runs allowed: FORREST MOORE S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 5.0 vs. UAB ( ) Strikeouts: 5 vs. UAB ( ) Walks: 3 vs. UAB ( ) Hits allowed: 5 vs. UAB ( ) Runs allowed: 2 2x-Last vs. UAB ( ) Earned runs allowed: 2 vs. UAB ( ) GREG HOUSTON S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 2.0 at North Florida ( )... Strikeouts: 4 at North Florida ( )... Walks: 0 at North Florida ( )... Hits allowed: 6 at North Florida ( )... Runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( )... Earned runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( )... JUSTIN PIGOTT S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 5.0 at North Florida ( ) x- Last: at Arkansas (4-7-07) Strikeouts: 9 at North Florida ( ) vs. Auburn (5-5-07) Walks: 3 at North Florida ( ) x-Last: at No. Florida ( ) Hits allowed: 9 at North Florida ( ) at Florida ( ) Runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( )... 8 at Florida ( ) Earned runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( )... 8 at Florida ( ) AARON WEATHERFORD S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 2.0 vs. UAB ( ) x-Last: at Mississippi ( ) Strikeouts: 5 vs. UAB ( )...11 vs. Murray State ( ) Walks: 3 vs. UAB ( )...4-2x-Last 7 vs. South Carolina ( ) Hits allowed: 1 at North Florida ( )...10 vs. So. Carolina ( ) Runs allowed: 0 at North Florida ( ) x-Last: 10 vs. So. Carolina ( ) Earned runs allowed: 0 at North Florida ( )... 7 vs. So. Carolina ( ) JARED WESSON S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 0.1 at North Florida ( ) Strikeouts: Walks: 3 at North Florida ( ) Hits allowed: 1 at North Florida ( ) Runs allowed: 3 at North Florida ( ) Earned runs allowed: 2 at North Florida ( ) TYLER WHITNEY S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 2.0 at North Florida ( ) 6.0-2x-Last: vs. USM (4/-24-07). Strikeouts: 1 at North Florida ( ) 8-2x-Last vs. Southern Miss ( ) Walks: 3 at North Florida ( ) 3-3x-Last at North Florida ( ) Hits allowed: 4 at North Florida ( ) 10 vs.mississippi ( ) Runs allowed: 5 at North Florida ( ) 8 at Dallas Baptist ( ) Earned runs allowed: 4 at North Florida ( ) 8 at Dallas Baptist ( ) ANDY WILSON S CAREER / SEASON HIGHS Innings pitched: 1.0 at North Florida ( ) Strikeouts: 2 at North Florida ( ) Walks: Hits allowed: Runs allowed: Earned runs allowed: CAREER MULTIPLE-HIT GAMES (4-27) Name 2 hits 3 hits 4 hits 5+ hits Total Brandon Turner Connor Powers Mark Goforth Andy Rice Jet Butler Russ Sneed Jason Nappi Johnny Allen Cody Freeman Tyler Moore CAREER MULTIPLE-RBI GAMES Name 2 RBI 3 RBI 4 RBI 5+ RBI Total Brandon Turner Connor Powers Jeff Flagg Andy Rice Jet Butler Mark Goforth Russ Sneed Nick Hardy Johnny Allen Ryan Duffy Jason Nappi

8 MISCELLANEOUS STATS GAMES WITH A HIT Jason Nappi - 4 Russ Sneed - 4 Grant Hogue - 3 Cody Freeman -2 Nick Hardy - 2 Tyler Moore - 2 Connor Powers - 2 Andy Rice -2 Brandon Turner - 2 Johnny Allen -1 Jet Butler - 1 Ryan Duffy - 1 Jeff Flagg - 1 Mark Goforth - 1 Ryan Powers - 1 GAMES WITH AN RBI Cody Freeman - 2 Jason Nappi - 2 Brandon Turner - 2 Johnny Allen - 1 Jet Butler - 1 Ryan Collins - 1 Ryan Duffy - 1 Nick Hardy - 1 Grant Hogue - 1 Connor Powers - 1 Andy Rice - 1 Russ Sneed - 1 EXTRA-BASE HITS Jason Nappi - 4 Johnny Allen - 2 Andy Rice - 2 Ryan Duffy - 1 Jeff Flagg - 1 Cody Freeman - 1 Nick Hardy - 1 Connor Powers - 1 Russ Sneed - 1 Brandon Turner - 1 LEAD-OFF WALKS THAT SCORE Mark Goforth (0x1) Tyler Moore (0x1) Russ Sneed (0x1) Jason Nappi (1x1) Grant Hogue (2x3) MSU: 3x7 Opponents: 5x8 LEAD-OFF BASERUNNERS THAT SCORE Jet Butler (0x1) Mark Goforth (0x1) Tyler Moore (0x1) Russ Sneed (0x1) Jeff Flagg (1x1) Tyler Moore (1x1) Jason Nappi (2x2) Grant Hogue (3x5) MSU (7x13) Opponents (9x17) HITS W/BASES-LOADED Jason Nappi (1x1) Connor Powers (1x1) Andy Rice (1x1) Ryan Collins (0x1) Ryan Duffy (0x1) Nick Hardy (0x1) Grant Hogue (0x1) Brooks Lewis (0x1) Tyler Moore (0x1) Brandon Turner (0x1) Mark Goforth (0x2) MSU: 3x12 Opponents: 2x6 BULLDOG BIG INNINGS 5 runs (4th inn., UNF, 2-23) 4 runs (3rd inn., UNF, 2-22) 4 runs (5th inn., UAB, 2-26) OPPONENT BIG INNINGS 6 runs (7th inn., UNF, 2-23) 5 runs (6th inn., UNF, 2-23) 5 runs 1st inn., UNF, 2-24) HOME RUNS HIT (4) HR BY RBI 1-RBI: 1; 2-RBI: 1 ; 3-RBI: 1 ; 4-RBI: 2 ; RUNS VIA HR: 14; HR BY OUT 0-OUT:1 ; 1-OUT: 0; 2-OUT: 4 HOME: 1; AWAY: 4; NEUTRAL: 0; VS. SEC: 0; VS. NON-SEC: 5 No. Player (HR #) Date Opponent (pitcher) Inn. RBI Outs 1. Andy Rice (1) 2-22 at No. Florida (Franzese) Brandon Turner (1) 2-22 at No. Florida (Franzese) Connor Powers (1) 2-23 at No. Florida (Atteo) Ryan Duffy (1) 2-24 at North Florida (Turner) Jason Nappi (1) 2-26 UAB (Crawford) HOME RUNS ALLOWED (2) HR BY RBI 1-RBI: 0; 2-RBI: 0; 3-RBI: 1; 4-RBI: 1; RUNS VIA HR: 7; HR BY OUT 0-OUT: 2; 1-OUT: 0; 2-OUT: 0 HOME: 0; AWAY: 2; NEUTRAL: 0; VS. SEC: 0; VS. NON-SEC: 2 No. Pitcher (HR #) Date Opponent (batter) Inn. RBI Outs 1. Tyler Whitney (1) 2-23 No. Florida (Hale) 7th Greg Houston (1) 2-24 No. Florida (M.P. Smith) 5th 3 0 * consecutive home runs # inside-the-park home run GAME-WINNING RBI (1) (RBI for lead which is held) No. Date Opponent Player (#/GWRBI) RBI Inn. Play at North Florida Andy Rice (1) 4 3 HR UAB Jason Nappi (1) 4 5th HR HITTING STREAKS GAMES PLAYER DATE OF STREAK 4 Jason Nappi Feb Russ Sneed Feb Grant Hogue Feb Cody Freeman Feb Nick Hardy Feb Brandon Turner Feb QUALITY PITCHING STARTS () (6 or more IP / 3 or less ER) No. Date Opponent Pitcher (dec.) IP (H, R-ER, BB, K) 1. SAVES No. Date Opponent Pitcher (Save #) IP (H, R-ER, BB,K) UAB Aaron Weatherford (1) 2.0 (0, 0-0, 2, 4) HOW MSU S OPPONENTS HAVE FARED (2-28)( Air Force (1-3) Alabama (1-3) Arkansas (4-0) Arkansas-Little Rock (0-5) Auburn (4-1) Austin Peay (1-2) Baylor (4-0) Georgia (1-2) Kentucky (5-0) Louisiana State (4-1) Memphis (2-3) Middle Tennessee State (4-0) Mississippi Valley State (4-2) North Florida (2-1) Ole Miss (5-0) South Alabama (3-2) South Carolina (3-1) Southern Miss (4-1) Tennessee (3-1) UAB (2-3) Vanderbilt (3-1)