Previewing the Baseball Schedule
Who needs intro paragraphs, let’s dive in!
Feb. 14-16, 4 games vs. Hofstra – don’t know much about them and it doesn’t matter (finished 26-27 last year). State is the better team, but will be doing plenty of mixing and matching for the opening weekend.
Feb. 18 vs. Memphis – could be a tough game, it will be a huge resume builder if the Tigers can win so look out.
Feb. 21-23, 4 games vs. Holy Cross – they lost just about every one of their non-conference games last year, it would be disappointing not to sweep.
Feb. 25-26, 2 games vs. Mount St. Mary’s
Feb. 28-March 2, 2 games vs. Michigan State and 2 vs. Eastern Illinois in the Diamond Classic – the Spartan finished last year with the 42nd best RPI; Eastern Illinois is Matt Stevens’ alma mater so we definitely want to beat them.
March 5 vs. South Alabama – return trip from last year MSU going to Mobile (W), and USA was in the Starkville Regional where State won 6-2.
March 7-9, 2 games vs. UC Santa Barbara and 2 vs. Arizona (in Tuscan, AZ) – this will be our first road trip; UCSB had the 57th best RPI last year, Arizona was #59 and won the national championship in 2012.
March 11 vs. Southern Illinois
March 14-16 at Georgia – first SEC series. UGA has a new coach and renewed energy, the Saturday game will be on FSN.
March 21-23 vs. Vanderbilt – the ‘Dores have established themselves as a national power. 26-3 in the SEC last year and the #2 RPI. Big home series. First two games will be televised.
March 25 vs. Southeast Missouri – MSU is better than these teams but you have to watch out as it’s a huge game for them.
March 28-30 vs. Arkansas – the Hogs may be down a little as compared to recent years, but they’ll still be tough.
The Meat – two biggest series of the year, back-to-back
April 4-6 at LSU – this is obviously a HUGE series. In Baton Rouge, probably a top 5 matchup when it happens. First two games will be on TV.
April 8 vs. Southern Miss (in Pearl, MS) – USM has a good baseball program, good chance to Jackson folks to catch a mid-week game.
April 11-13 vs. Ole Miss (Super Bulldog Weekend) – if we don’t break the all-time attendance record on Saturday I’d be shocked. The Rebs should have another good team. Game 2 is on TV.
April 15 vs. Alcorn State
April 18-20 at Missouri – first regular season games vs. Mizzou as a SEC member, beat them in 17 innings at the SEC Tournament last year.
April 22 vs. Ole Miss (Governor’s Cup in Pearl)
April 24-26 vs. Texas A&M – Thurs-Sat series with two games on TV. The Aggies should have a top 25 team this year.
April 30 vs. Jacksonville State
May 2-4 at Auburn – Saturday game will be on CSS.
May 9-11 vs. Tennessee – struggling program.
May 15-17 at Alabama – last series is Thurs-Sat. Bama should be much improved this year.
This schedule is set up for MSU to make a run. There are a few really big series which I have highlighted, but overall it’s a lot lighter than last year. The Michigan State and Arizona games will be good tests for this team before SEC play. There are conference series vs. the teams that finished #14, 13, 12, 10 and 9 last year and leaving out #4, 8 and 11. Last year MSU played every team except #12, 13 and 14 so it’s time to square up.