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Mississippi State’s SEC Baseball Tournament Outlook

By Cooper Ashcraft

Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; SEC logo on the goal post inside Bridgestone Arena prior to the championship game of the SEC Conference Tournament between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; SEC logo on the goal post inside Bridgestone Arena prior to the championship game of the SEC Conference Tournament between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State begins their run in Hoover tonight against Georgia — a team that has already beaten them twice. How do the Bulldogs approach the SEC Tournament?

The season didn’t end the way Mississippi State wanted last weekend against LSU, but the season isn’t over yet. This week, the Bulldogs head to Hoover for the SEC Tournament and a chance at a tournament championship.

Mississippi State will get an opportunity at revenge against Georgia Tuesday night. Georgia took two of three against the Bulldogs in Athens two weeks ago. When asked about the SEC tournament after being swept by LSU, Cannizaro seemed excited for Hoover.

"“I’m pretty jacked-up and looking forward to getting over there for the first time as a head coach. Our guys will be ready to play.”"

Mississippi State has fallen from thirteenth in the RPI rankings to thirtieth in just a matter of a couple weeks. While this is good enough to make the NCAA tournament, the bulldogs will likely be playing away from Dudy Noble Field. Mississippi State may be a lock for the NCAA tournament, Coach Cannizaro is not satisfied.

"“It’s really important. We want to create some momentum again and build our resume for the NCAA Tournament. I think 17 wins is tremendous. You finish fifth place in the SEC, you should definitely be in the NCAA Tournament. But in terms of building our resume we still have work to do.”"

Mississippi State had an opportunity to lock up a top four seed and a bye in the SEC tournament, but a sweep by LSU prevented that from happening. This is a big deal due to the struggles of the pitching staff for the Bulldogs. Pilkington will start on the bump Tuesday evening for the Maroon Bulldogs.

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Pilkington is coming off a 107 pitch outing Thursday against LSU, but Cannizaro believes he gives Mississippi State the best chance to win. Also, Tuesday’s are typically Pilkington’s bullpen day, so throwing in a game isn’t too crazy of a thought.

"He’d be on short rest but maybe he could give us the start where he could go three or four innings. But it will be all hands on deck because we need to do everything we can to beat Georgia in Hoover, to get to the double-elimination part of that SEC Tournament”"

If Mississippi State is able to beat Georgia on Tuesday they would advance to face Arkansas on Wednesday, which would be double-elimination from then on out. Arkansas swept the Bulldogs in Fayetteville in the first week of SEC play and earned the fourth seed in the SEC Tournament.

As far as favorites to win the tournament? The obvious choice would be between LSU and Florida — who are playing their best baseball of the season. Kentucky also has the makeup of a team that can make a deep run. The Wildcats have the arms — featuring SEC pitcher of the year Sean Hjelle — and an offense that features seven guys hitting above .300 on the year.

It is very important to get a top four seed in the tournament — considering a 5-12 seed has won the tournament since it expanded to twelve teams. If I had to choose a 5-12 seed that had the best chance to make a deep run, I’d probably go with Texas A&M. The Aggies have the best ERA in the SEC and are deep enough in the bullpen to make it to weekend play.

Maroon and White Nation will provide coverage on the Bulldogs’ run in Hoover.

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