Mississippi State hosts a tough regional field
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State begins its regional at 1:30 p.m. Friday against fourth-seeded Southeast Missouri State. Here's everything you need to know about the Bulldogs, Redhawks and the two other teams playing in Starkville this weekend.
No. 1 Mississippi State
Record: 41-16-1 (21-9 SEC)
Coach: John Cohen (601-397-2 overall, 281-201-1 in eight years at Mississippi State)
Road to Starkville: At-large (SEC regular-season champs)
Best wins: 2-1 series wins at Florida, Vanderbilt and LSU
Worst losses: Eastern Kentucky, Oral Roberts
Top hitters: OF Jake Mangum (.423 AVG, 26 RBI), 1B Nathaniel Lowe (.355 AVG, 5 HR, 48 RBI), C Jack Kruger (.353 AVG, 7 HR, 38 RBI)
Top pitchers: SP Dakota Hudson (9-4, 2.35 ERA, 107 Ks), SP Austin Sexton (7-3, 3.83 ERA, 88 Ks)
Did you know? The last time Mississippi State hosted a regional it went to the College World Series in 2013. MSU hosted Cal State Fullerton in 1988, when John Cohen was on the roster, and lost both games to the Titans.
No. 2 Cal State Fullerton
Record: 35-21 (17-7 Big West)
Coach: Rick Vanderhook (195-101 overall in 5 years at school)
Road to Starkville: Big West champions
Best wins: 2-1 series wins at Texas Tech and UC Santa Barbara
Worst losses: 2-1 against Hawaii
Top hitters: 1B/DH Tanner Pinkston (.335 AVG, 31 RBI), 1B Dalton Blaser (.362 AVG, 4 HR, 38 RBI), SS Timmy Richards (.284 AVG, 9 HR, 31 RBI)
Top pitchers: SP Colton Eastman (8-2, 2.11 ERA, 93 Ks), SP John Gavin (6-3, 2.16 ERA, 57 Ks)
Did you know? The Titans lead the country with a 2.21 team ERA. They accomplished it through the coaching of Jason Dietrich, who was considered to replace Butch Thompson at MSU.
No. 3 Louisiana Tech
Record: 40-18 (19-11 Conference USA)
Coach: Greg Goff (440-301 in 21 seasons overall, 65-45 in 2 years at school)
Road to Starkville: At-large
Best wins: Two wins against Louisiana-Lafayette, Four wins against Rice
Worst losses: Two losses to UAB
Top hitters: LF Raphael Gladu (.365 AVG, 2 HR, 28 RBI), 3B Chase Lunceford (.325 AVG, 11 HR, 49 RBI), OF Sean Ulrich (.333 AVG)
Top pitchers: SP Adam Atkins (6-0, 1.10 ERA, 53 Ks), SP Casey Sutton (7-1, 1.63 ERA, 42 Ks)
Did you know? Bulldogs coach Greg Goff began his coaching career at alma mater Delta State in 1993. Jake Wells, an assistant for Goff, was on John Cohen’s staff when MSU went to the College World Series in 2013.
No. 4 Southeast Missouri State
Record: 39-19 (22-8 Ohio Valley)
Coach: Steve Bieser (440-301 in 21 seasons overall, 99-76 in 4 years at SEMO)
Road to Starkville: Won OVC Tournament
Best wins: Two wins against Jacksonville State, Missouri
Worst losses: Two losses to Tennessee Tech
Top hitters: RF Chris Osborne (.373 AVG, 15 HR, 43 RBI), 1B Garrett Gandolfo (.368 AVG, 9 HR, 61 RBI), SS Branden Boggetto (.355 AVG, 5 HR, 60 RBI)
Top pitchers: SP Joey Lucchesi (10-4, 1.87 ERA, 145 Ks), RP Justin Murphy (4-2, 3.00 ERA, 5 saves)
Did you know? The Redhawks started the season 0-3 with a sweep against Lamar.