February 1998 MSU Baseball News

02/28/98 - The 8th ranked Miss State Bulldogs (7-1) defeated the 11th ranked LSU Tigers (6-5) 11-3. MSU starting sophomore pitcher Matt Ginter, with a wicked slider (85-86 mph) and fastball (91-93 mph), struck out 9 LSU batters in 4 innings while allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 5 walks. Sophomore Kevin Donovan, pitching 4 innings, holding the LSU Tigers to 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. Senior Van Johnson pitched the final inning. The Bulldogs played errorless ball once again. Since the first game, when the Bulldogs committed 6 errors in very bad conditions, the Bulldogs have committed 2 errors in 7 games. LSU committed 5 errors during the game. Attendance for the game was 10,196. The Bulldogs have now won 7 in a row.

02/27/98 - If you are interested in buying tickets to the Winn-Dixie Showdown in New Orleans, you can pick them up at Winn-Dixie's in Amite, Laplace and several others in areas around New Orleans. Just stop at a Winn Dixie when you get near New Orleans and ask them if they have any for sell. BTW, Hammond's Winn Dixie is sold out.

02/26/98 - Miss State (6-1) defeated Jackson State 18-0 Wednesday afternoon. Freshman Mark Freed pitched 5 strong innings of 2-hit shutout ball while walking 1 and striking out 6. MSU hit 5 home runs (Chapman, Clark, McGrath, Knott and Freeman) which gives them a total of 21 in 7 games.

MSU Diamond Dawgs Odds and Ends: Scott Tribolet had MSU's last inside-the-park HR against UAB in 1994 ... Scott Clark's inside-the-park-HR was his third career dinger and gave him home runs in consecutive at-bats (also homered Tuesday vs. Alcorn State) ... State is 4-5 in three Winn-Dixie Showdowns/Busch Challenges. But unlike those three previous appearances, State is going to the Big Easy having played some games. State opened its season in 1990, 1993 and 1996 in the tournament against LSU ... Pat McMahon is nearing the 200-win milestone in his 5-plus-year head coaching career. He's at 195-87. Tickets for the Winn-Dixie Showdown are $8 reserved and $7 gen. admission per three-game daily session.

State has scored in double digits in all seven games, and Brad Freeman and Richard Lee have hit safely in all seven games. State has also hit home runs in every game and has played error-free ball in four games.

The MSU Media Department provided some of this information.

02/25/98 - Miss State defeated Alcorn State 18-4 yesterday. MSU continues to hit home runs at a record pace with three yesterday. Richard Lee hit his 4th, true freshman Phillip Willingham and Scott Clark hit their 1st of this young season. MSU has now hit 16 home runs in their first 6 games. Seems the extra weight lifting is paying dividends. Other stars during the game were Rusty Thoms with 2 doubles, Chris Lotterhos with a double and triple, and Travis Chapman with two hits. Scott Polk, recovering from shoulder surgery, pitched very effectively yesterday, allowing just one run in 3 or 4 innings (I didn't hear the ninth inning).

Did you know coming into yesterday's game MSU was hitting at a .408 clip while averaging 16 runs per game? Did you also know that we have 13 players hitting above .333? MSU batsmen have been hit by a pitch 10 times (2 per game) and walked 29 times (almost 6 per game) while striking out 26 times (a shade over 5 per game) this season. Another outstanding stat is the fielding percentage of .964.

Players hitting over .333:

For the complete stats click here.

02/24/98 - In yesterday's game Barry Patton hit his 2nd and 3rd home runs of the season. Brad Freeman hit his 3rd. Brad is now hitting .611 (11 of 18) for the season. Richard Lee is hitting .476 with 15 RBI and 3 HR, Brian Wiese .579 (11 of 19) with 7 RBI and Josh West is hitting .455 (5 of 11). Did you guys know that Van Johnson has moved past former Bulldogs Scott Tanksley and Trent Intorcia into 2nd place with his 83rd pitching appearance? Lee has 195 RBI, which puts him only five away from passing Will Clark and putting him into fourth place among MSU's career leaders.

02/23/98 - The 8th ranked Miss State Bulldogs (4-1) defeated Miss Valley State 27-1 in a game shorten to 7 innings due to the 12-run rule. Barry Patton hit 2 home runs and Brad Freeman 1. Chris Reinike got the victory, throwing 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, walking 0 and striking out 10. More details tomorrow.

02/23/98 - MSU baseball facts:

02/22/98 - Did you know that the attendance (5,222) at the MSU/La. Tech ballgame was the largest non-conference home crowd we have had since 1989. MSU has also surpassed the 4,000 (4,044) mark in season ticket sales. There is a possiblity MSU could set a new season ticket sales record. Don't you want to be part of a record? Diamond Dawg fever is back, folks. Isn't it great!

02/22/98 - Great crowd at the baseball game yesterday. Reminded me of the old days. I hope you guys keep coming back. It was great to talk to so many of you yesterday. Now on to the game which MSU (3-1) won 10-4 over an outstanding La. Tech team (4-2).

Starting MSU pitcher, Matt Ginter, coming back from a minor forearm injury, threw hard (90-91 mph), but only lasted 4 1/2 innings. He really didn't pitch that badly for his first outing. I look for him to improve each time out. Hank Thoms came in and pitched very effective ball for 4 2/3 innings, giving up 1 earned run.

True freshman Josh West continues to stroke the ball very well. Coach McMahon, in his post-game show, said Josh has a good chance to have an outstanding career at MSU. Richard Lee crushed a ball for a home run. Overall, the hitting appears to be very solid from the top of the lineup to the bottom. We might have a little more pop in the bats this year with 8 home runs so far.

The Bulldog defense, for the 3rd game in a row, didn't commit an error. Travis Chapman made a couple of very good defensive plays. Chris Lotterhos continues to play solid defense at second base as does starter Lake Thoms.

Overall, this team appears to have a very solid hitting lineup with quality backup, very good defense and solid pitching.

02/22/98 - I saw former MSU pitcher Keith Dilgard at the game yesterday. He graduates in May of this year and may play baseball with an independent team from Saint Paul later this summer. Keith, who eventually wants to get into sports management, is engaged to be married in June of 1999.

02/21/98 - Let's have a full house at the La. Tech/Miss State baseball game today. Gametime is 4 p.m.

02/20/98 - MSU 19 - Jackson State 3. Wasn't it great to see three freshmen do well yesterday? True freshman Josh West of Hamilton, MS., hit a home run in his first at-bat as a Bulldog. Redshirt freshman Jon Knott also contributed to the MSU hit barrage with a two-run home run in the fourth and redshirt freshman pitcher Mark Freed went 5 strong innings (3 hits, 2 Ks) to gain a victory in his first start as a Bulldog.

Other stars yesterday: Newcomer junior pitcher Brian Compton (Hinds CC transfer) registered four strikeouts and allowed three hits in two innings of relief work.Barry Patton hit a grand slam home run in the 3rd inning. Rusty Thoms and Travis Chapman delivered two-run singles during a six-run second-inning burst. First baseman Richard Lee had three hits and drove in three of the Bulldogs 19 runs (MSU was hitting .352 coming into the game). It's nice to see Rob Hauswald hitting the ball hard.

The game was shorted due to the 7-inning 12-run rule.

Click here to go to the MSU Baseball page to read the complete details written by Assistant Director/Media Relations Joe Dier. Next time you see Joe, let him know how much you appreciate his MSU baseball write-ups. We're lucky to have Joe at MSU.

Mississippi State will play at home Saturday against Louisiana Tech (3-1). Game time is 4 p.m.

02/19/98 - MSU defeated South Alabama, 11 to 6, Tuesday behind the solid pitching of senior Jeremy Jackson ( 1-0, IP-6, H-11, K-6, BB-0) and sophomore Kevin Donovan ( Save, IP-3, H-2, K-3, R-1).

The hitting stars were Brad Freeman who hit a 2-run HR, Brian Wiese who hit a solo HR and was 7-for-11 for the two-game series and Richard Lee and Rusty Thoms who both hit home runs.

MSU did not commit any errors defensively.

Miss State will play Jackson State at Dudy Noble Field today at 3:00 p.m. If you are a season-ticket holder, all you have to do is show any 1998 MSU Baseball season ticket and you will be allowed into the game for free. General Admission tickets for the game is $6 each and will be good for open seating in the chairback section of Polk-DeMent Stadium.

BTW, the road game against Northeast Louisiana has been changed from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

02/18/98 - (I missed the bottom of the 12th inning because of the basketball game) In 12 inning yesterday, Miss State lost to a very good South Alabama team 14-13. In miserable playing conditions (cloudy, rainy, cold and windy) Miss State showed that it has the potential to be a very good clutch-hitting team. The pitching is not where I'm sure Coach McMahon wants it to be at this point, but there are some solid arms on this team and they will get better as they get more game experience. Scott Polk and Brett Wheeler, two pitchers recovering from arm injuries showed significant signs of recovery. Scott was throwing 85-86 mph and Brett looked like he has added some velocity as well as control from last year. Look for both of these guys to contribute significant innings this year. Chris Reinike, according to 14 pitching guns (that's how many I counted behind home plate), was throwing 88-91 mph in the first inning.

Brad Freeman looked good at the plate (4 for 5 while I was at the game) and played a very good centerfield. Richard Lee was 3 for 5 with a homerun and 4 RBIs. Brian Wiese went 3 for 6 with an RBI. For the most part, all of the hitters made good contact.

The defense was not as solid as we would like but that was primarily due to the horrible playing conditions. During the scrimmage when the weather was very good, the team looked 100% better defensively than they looked yesterday.

This team shows very good potential so lets do our part and show up for the games when we can.

02/17/98 - Weather permitting, Miss State and South Alabama play baseball today starting at 3:00 p.m. It is State's season opener, so, if you can, come on out and cheer our Diamond Dawgs on to victory. This is the start of a potentially great season. Make it a Day/Night doubleheader by going to the basketball game (MSU vs - Tennessee, 8:30 p.m.) later.

02/17/98 - South Alabama is tough this year, folks. Read this and you'll understand why I say this.

02/15/98 - I went to the scrimmage yesterday. Not sure of the final score but several of the newcomers had good games: Josh West hit a home run and made an outstanding play in centerfield, pitcher Shaun Child had a good outing, Phillip Willingham and Lake Thoms looked good at the plate.

I had the chance to talk to Coach Pat McMahon. This man is one of the friendliest people I have ever met. He told me they were still working out the details on the MSU Baseball Booster Club. As they finalize it, I will post the info on my page. From what I was told, the Booster Club has some exciting things planned.

02/14/98 - Come on out to Dudy Noble Field and watch the MSU baseball team scrimmage. According to what I read on the baseball message board, batting practice will start at about 9:20 and the game should start at 10:45. There will be a meet the players and autograph session after the scrimmage. Come on out even if you are a little late.

02/13/98 - Here are some MSU baseball excerpts from a great article by The Commerical Dispatch's Assistant Sports Editor, Danny Smith:

02/12/98 - Former Diamond Dawg Joel Matthews (1989-1993) wanted all of you to know he really enjoyed playing baseball for MSU and all of you. He is presently in North Carolina spreading the word about MSU baseball and MSU, a place where he had many wonderful times. I think I can speak for all Bulldog fans in saying the we are proud of you Joel and thank you for choosing to play for MSU and becoming a member of our Mississippi State Bulldog family.

02/11/98 - Mary Ann and I went to the inaugural MSU First Pitch Banquet which was held at the Union Ballroom on the Miss State campus last night. We arrived there at 6:40 and there was already a line forming in anticipation of a very fun time, MSU baseball-style. We sat near the back of the room near the huge big-screen (at least 10'x14') televison. As I looked toward the front of the room, I saw former Bulldog great Bailey Howell, country comedian Jerry Clower, and, of course best-selling author John Grisham, who was to speak.

A few minutes after everyone is seated, new MSU baseball head coach Pat McMahon went to the podium and introduced MSU baseball announcer Jim Ellis. Jim said a few words and then introduced all of the coaches and players (48 total). Once all of the coaches and players had been introduced, the fans (500 to 600 of them), gave them a big Diamond Dog applause.

We then proceeded to enjoy an outstanding meal of prime rib with a live band playing big-band music in the background.

After everybody is through or almost through with their meals, MSU AD Larry Templeton goes to the podium and said a few words. He then asked our television folks to run the highlight film (10 to 14 minutes) of last year's team and it's many accomplishments. There was a very upbeat soundtrack to various Bulldogs action, including hitting homeruns, striking opposing player's out, great defensive plays, our coaches, and, of course, the Bulldog fans.

Once the film was over with, Larry introduced former head baseball coach Ron Polk and former MSU President Dr. Donald Zacharias, who both received well deserved standing ovations. He also introduced Skip Wyatt, the architect who will be overseeing the expansions of Polk-DeMent Stadium/ Dudy Noble Field and Humphrey Coliseum after the present seasons are over with. Larry then introduced new MSU President Mac Portera who spoke for a few minutes.

After he spoke, John Grisham was introduced as the next speaker. He also received a standing ovation. To say he roasted Ron Polk would be an understatement. Not only is this guy a great author, but he can roast with the best of them, including Ron. Once John was through, he introduced former Bulldog great Jeff Brantley, who continued the roasting that John started. I knew Jeff was a great pitcher, but I sure didn't know he was such a great speaker. Of course, he also roasted Coach Polk and he also took a few shots at John.

After John and Jeff were through, Ron Polk was introduced. He is not considered one of the best speakers and roasters around for no reason. He roasted John, Jeff, Larry Templeton, Pat McMahon and even Dr. Portera. Then at the end of his speech, he got serious and spoke of how he would miss his players and how he anticipated the upcoming season and seasons.

John Grisham came back up to the podium and spoke about a new MSU Baseball Booster Club that would begin this year. He will be the chairman of it this year and he wants to have 1,000 people sign up for it at $50 a person. What is anticipated the club will do is generate enough money to provide our baseball department enough money to do things in a first class manner. If they need money to fly to games, this club will provide it. I will have more info on this club as soon as I hear more.

John then introduced new coach Pat McMahon, one of the most intense people I have ever seen. You can tell he has a passion for MSU and MSU baseball. You can also tell he wants to take MSU baseball to the next level. After hearing him speak last night, I have no doubt, whatsoever, that he will take us there. This man absolutely loves MSU baseball with a love only a true Bulldog could have. He may not have graduated from MSU or played there, but he is one of us. He is a proud member of the MSU Bulldog family and deserves our 100% support.

Once Pat spoke, the Banquet was officially through. John Grisham and Jeff Brantley signed autographs for anyone who wanted one, including Mary Ann and present Bulldog Brett Wheeler who wanted to say hello to his mother. All in all, it was a great first ever First Pitch Banquet. Even though it was almost three hours long (very appropriate for a BASEBALL Banquet), everybody had a great time. I spoke with a few of the players (Brad Freeman and Barry Patton) and they are really looking forward to the upcoming season and anticipate a big year.

02/08/98 - Miss State is ranked 13th (Pts - 379) in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN College Coaches rankings. This poll is voted on by 33 D-I head coaches, representing members of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) in all areas of the USA. Other SEC schools ranked are:

02/04/98 - Miss State Baseball is right around the corner (Feb. 17th) but if you just can't wait until then, why don't you go to Dudy Noble Field Feb. 14th and watch our Diamond Dogs scrimmage. Not sure of the game time, but because the women's softball team has a game beginning at 1:00 p.m., it should be around 11:00 a.m. or so. Come on out if you have time and stay for the women's game.

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