MSU Hosts Mississippi Valley State Tuesday

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State continues its season-opening nine-game homestand and closes out its February schedule Tuesday in a 4 p.m. matchup with instate non-conference rival Mississippi Valley State.

The Bulldogs (3-0) are coming off an impressive opening weekend series sweep of Murray State. MSU hit at a .466 clip, piling up 55 hits and out-scoring the visiting Thoroughbreds 40-15. Junior catcher Edward Easley (.769) led the hit parade, going 10-for-13 with a home run and six RBI. Both senior designated hitter Brian LaNinfa and freshman infielder Brandon Turner had six-hit, six-RBI plate performances for State.The Bulldogs bested Murray State 10-5 and 13-1 and erased a 7-0 deficit Sunday afternoon to complete the series sweep with a 17-9 win.

Freshman left-hander Tyler Whitney from Lakeland, Tenn., will open on the mound for State.

Mississippi Valley State (3-8) split a Sunday doubleheader at Nicholls State, winning the opener 9-1 in seven innings and dropping a 5-2 decision in the nightcap. MVSU has not designated a starting pitcher for Tuesday's game.