Mississippi State Baseball: Diamond Dawgs set to begin 2021 season

Mississippi State Baseball: 2021 Diamond Dawgs Preview

Following a two-game midweek sweep of No. 2 Texas Tech, Mississippi State’s 2020 baseball season was cut short due to coronavirus concerns. The Bulldogs were off to a 12-4 start and seemed to be turning the corner after beating the Red Raiders twice.

It’s safe to say head coach Chris Lemonis and his team are ready to be back on the diamond playing some ball. An abundance of talent returns to Starkville with hopes of a third-straight College World Series run.

Even after losing two first-round picks in Justin Foscue and Jordan Westburg, State has been tabbed a consensus top-15 team in the preseason polls. An extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA and a shortened MLB Draft benefitted MSU, with veterans Tanner Allen and Rowdey Jordan coming back to Starkville to lead an experienced Bulldogs’ lineup.

This year’s Mississippi State team will be tested from the get-go. The Bulldogs are apart of the State Farm College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas. The field consists of No. 3 Texas Tech, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 9 Texas, No. 10 TCU, and, of course, No. 7 Mississippi State.

State will battle Texas at 11 AM CT on Friday, February 19, to open up the season. A matchup with TCU awaits MSU on the following day, and a rematch between the Bulldogs and Texas Tech will be on Sunday.

The 2021 slate is stockpiled with top-25 matchups, with notable SEC road trips to No. 12 LSU, No. 23 Auburn, and No. 4 Vanderbilt. No. 8 Arkansas and No. 6 Ole Miss will make visits to Dudy Noble Field. A midweek tilt with Southern Miss will happen on March 2 from Trustmark Park.