| 1996 | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||
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| 1997 | Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1998 | Jan | Feb |
03/31/98 - Check out The Commercial Appeal to see who is the top player in the Memphis area this year. Click here then go to the sports section, then INSIDE PREPS.
03/30/98 - Miss State (18-10, 4-8) salvaged game three of the three game series with Alabama yesterday, 13-7. Yesterday's loss was the first home loss of the season for Alabama. Senior first baseman Richard Lee hit a 3-run home run in the 8th inning when MSU scored 7 runs to go ahead 13-5. Freshman Jon Knott, junior Brian Wiese, senior catcher Barry Patton and senior leftfielder Rusty Thoms also had good days at the plate. Junior reliever Brian Compton had a great day pitching, allowing 0 runs and 0 hits while throwing 3.2 innings. Brian walked 3 and struck out 5. Brian has really pitched well this year (W/L-3-0, IP-17.2, H-13, SO-22, BB-6, ER-4, ERA-2.03). Really, our middle relievers and closer have been pretty good this season. Our starting pitchers and hitting just need to be a little more consistent.
Miss State and Ole Miss play the Mayor's Trophy Game this Wednesday night in Jackson. Game time is 7 p.m. It will be televised on Fox/SportsSouth (satellite location: W1-9).
Just in case you don't already know this, the Saturday (April 4th) MSU-LSU game will also be televised. If you have a satellite, you can pick it up on Fox/Sports South (W1-9), Sunshine Network (C1-24) and Fox/SportsSouthwest (C1-10).
03/30/98 - Some of you have asked me what the SEC Baseball Tournament schedule is like this year. Click here to go to the page on the SEC website that provides all you need to know about the SEC Baseball Tournament.
03/29/98 - Miss State (17-10, 3-8) lost another close game, 4-2, to Alabama yesterday.
MSU took an early lead, 1-0, in the 2nd inning on an RBI single by senior centerfielder Brooks Bryan after junior second baseman Chris Lotterhos had singled and was moved to second on a walk by senior leftfielder Rusty Thoms. Alabama tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, only to see MSU go back in front in the fifth on an RBI double by senior catcher Barry Patton. Alabama then responded with a 2-run bottom of the fifth. Miss State threaten in the 7th when they had men on 1st and 2nd with two outs only to see the MSU batter strike out. Alabama added a run in the eighth with a home run. Miss State's pinch hitter Brian Wiese walked to start the ninth, but the next three MSU batters struck out to end the game.
Sophomore Matt Ginter started the game and pitched well, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits, 0 walks in 6.1 innings. Matt also struck out 4. Junior reliever Scott Polk pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit, while striking out 1.
I would like to make one comment: I don't know his name but I do know he is the same umpire who made the terrible call Friday night. I have been going to MSU baseball games for over 20 years and I have to say I have never seen a worse umpire than I saw umpiring first base yesterday. He may be as nice a guy as you will ever meet, but the guy should not be on the field umpiring in the best conference in college ball. He blew at least four calls at first base yesterday. The SEC Conference, if they have copies of Friday's and Saturday's games, should review the film and determine if this man deseves to be an umpire.
MSU and Alabama complete the series today at 2 p.m.
03/28/98 - Miss State (17-9, 3-7), with a blown called at home plate by the home plate umpire, lost to Alabama 12-10 last night. Freshman Jon Knott continues to hit the longball, hitting his 8th (a 3-run shot) of the season in the top of the ninth.
Miss State and Alabama continue the series today at 2 p.m.
03/28/98 - Someone found this post on DawgNews. Thought some of you might be interested:
"BTW, did you know that our team now meets after the game on the 3rd base line (at DNF), they go back to the dugout and get their gloves, etc., and then exit, NOT THROUGH THE DUGOUT, but through the 3rd base gate and will sign autographs or visit as long as the fans are there. Coach Mac is putting emphasis on being part of the community, not just locally but the community of MSU fans."
03/27/98 - The latest word is Miss State is taking a look at New Albany's Eli Whiteside. Eli, from what my source said, is a great kid with a great arm and good power. I saw Eli play during American Legion ball and I came away very impressed. He has nice size (6-2, 190/200 range) and a very good arm.
03/27/98 - Miss State plays Alabama in a 3 game SEC series. First game is tonight at 7 p.m. in Tuscaloosa.
03/27/98 - Former MSU baseball coach Ron Polk will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Friday night. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaze Hotel in Jackson, MS.
03/26/98 - Miss State signee Steven Dowe, of Parklane Academy, defeated Jackson Prep, 3-0, Tuesday night on a 1-hitter. His fastball was hitting 87-88 mph and his changeup 72 mph.
03/26/98 - Miss State (17-8) defeated Samford, 16-3, behind the hitting of just about everybody in the lineup. Redshirt freshman Jon Knott had two home runs (6th and 7th), including a 3-run shot, and 4 RBI. Brooks Bryan was 4 for 4 with 1 home run and 3 RBI. Third baseman Travis Chapman had a 2-run home run. First baseman Richard Lee knocked in 3 runs with a single. Catcher Barry Patton had 2 hits, including a double. Brian Wiese was 2 for 2 (single and triple) with an RBI. Brian sprained his ankle. Not sure how serious it is.
Redshirt freshman Mark Freed (3-1) threw 3 perfect innings, while striking out 1. Scott Polk threw 2 innings, allowing no runs on 1 hit while striking out 5. Brian Compton and Kevin Donovan also pitched well during their one inning stints.
Miss State now prepares to meet Alabama in a very important SEC series this weekend at Tuscaloosa.
03/25/98 - Miss State plays Samford at 6:30 tonight. Former Bulldog player and coach Tim Parenton is the head coach for Samford.
03/24/98 - Thanks to Top Dawg for this info:
Join the Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa for a key SEC series, March 27, 28 and 29. A charter bus trip, which includes reserved game tickets, is available each day. Departure times are:
Friday, March 27 .... 4:00 PM
Saturday, March 28 ..10:00 AM
Sunday, March 29 ....10:00 AM
Departure will be from the Humphrey Coliseum Parking Lot, with a pick up in Columbus 30 minutes later. Cost is only $25 for any one day, $45 for any 2 days, and $65 for all three games. For reservations call 334-246-6061.
03/23/98 - Miss State (16-8, 3-6) took the rubber game of the SEC series with a 9 to 3 victory over Ole Miss yesterday.
DH Brian Wiese had 3 hits, including a grand slam home, and five RBI. Catcher Barry Patton had 3 hits, including a home run. Pinch hitter Dustin Dabbs had an RBI single. Rightfielder Phillip Willingham had 2 hits.
Starter Chris Reinike, now 3-2 for the season, pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk. Chris struck out 4. Hank Thoms threw 1.1 innings, striking out 2 while allowing 1 hit. Van Johnson pitched the final inning, allowing 1 hit and no runs.
The atttendance for the game was 3,544. Total attendance for the series was 7,902, an average of 2,634.
03/22/98 - Ole Miss defeated Miss State (15-8, 2-6), 7 to 5 yesterday.
Miss State took a 3 run lead in the first on a 3-run home run by first baseman Richard Lee. Ole Miss scored a run in the second and two in the third to tie the game. In the fourth, Miss State took a 2 run lead with hits by DH Brian Wiese, third baseman Travis Chapman and second baseman Chris Lotterhos. Freshman right fielder also had a sacrifice fly in the inning. Ole Miss tied up the game in the fifth on a 2-run home run by Jason Huisman. In the sixth, Ole Miss scored the eventual winning run when Bulldog pitcher Matt Ginter walked the bases loaded, then allowed a 2-run single by Jason Huisman. There would be no more scoring the rest of the game, although Miss State did put two men on in the ninth on singles by rightfielder Phillip Willingham and centerfielder Brooks Bryan only to end the game on a double play ball hit by leftfielder Rusty Thoms.
Redshirt freshman pitcher Mark Freed started the game, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks while pitching 4.1 innings. Mark also struck out a career best 6. Matt Ginter pitched 4.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 1 hit and 3 walks. Matt struck out 1 batter.
Attendance was 3,117.
03/21/98 - Miss State (15-7, 2-5) defeated Ole Miss (15-8, 3-3), 2-1 on a very cold night at Dudy Noble Field. Lefthanded pitcher Jeremy Jackson pitched an excellent game last night, going 7.1 innings while giving up 1 run on 6 hits. He also walked 3 and struck out 10. Jeremy is now 4-1 on the season. Hank Thoms pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing 1 hit while striking out 2. Hank recorded his 1st save of the season. Catcher Barry Patton knocked in the 1st run in the 2nd inning with a double. Shortstop Brad Freeman knocked in the eventual winning run in the 6th with a sacrifice fly to right field. Brad's 25 hitting game streak came to an end last night.
In the nice to know category: Lee May, Sandi and Keith May's youngest son (Brandon is his older brother), was hit by a line drive last night at the game. He is fine, just had a bloody nose for a few minutes. Several of our baseball players were kind enough to autograph the ball that hit him.
Attendance was 2,032 brave and very loyal Bulldog fans. The game lasted just 2 hours and 12 minutes.
MSU and Ole Miss resume the series at 2 p.m. today. Redshirt freshman Mark Freed is expected to start on the mound for the Bulldogs.
03/20/98 - Miss State and Ole Miss play the first game of a 3-game SEC series beginning tonight at 6:30 at DNF/Polk-Dement Stadium.
03/19/98 - Miss State (14-7) defeated William Carey College (18-7) 4 to 2 last night. Middle reliever Brian Compton (2-0) pitched the 5th through the 7th to earn the victory. Brian looked sharp once again, allowing just one run on three hits and one walk in his 3 inning stint. Brian had one strikeout. Closer Van Johnson pitched the 9th to earn his 4th save of the season (1 hit, 0 runs, 0 Ks, 0 walks). Chris Reinike started the game and went 4 innings, allowing one run on two hits and no walks. He struck out two batters. Scott Polk pitched the 8th inning (0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, 0 Ks). Get this: he threw 4 pitches the entire inning. BTW, Compton was clocked in the mid to uppper 80's the time I checked the jugs gun.
First baseman Richard Lee had a 2-run triple in the 5th to put MSU ahead to stay. Second baseman Travis Chapman, playing in front of his grandparents, had a good night, hitting two doubles. Leftfielder Rusty Thoms also had a couple of hits and was hit by a pitch, while scoring a run. Brian Wiese had a couple of doubles, while scoring a run and knocking in a run. Shortstop Brad Freeman had a double in the 3rd inning which kept his hitting streak alive. He has now hit in 25 consecutive games.
From the MSU Media Relations Dept: Richard Lee is now 4th on the all time career hit list, moving past former Bulldog great Rafael Palmeiro with his triple last night. He moved past present MSU baseball assistant coach Tommy Raffo into 3rd place on the career RBI list with his two RBI last night. Van Johnson, with his save last night, is one shy of the career mark (24) set by Scott Tanksley.
Thanks to the 1,241 Bulldog fans who attended the 2 hour and 13 minute game.
03/18/98 - Our baseball team plays William Carey College tonight beginning at 6:30, weather permitting.
03/16/98 - Miss State was swept by Florida this weekend, losing the third game of the series 6 to 5, which was the same score as the Saturday game. Redshirt freshman pitcher Mark Freed, in his first SEC start as a Bulldog, pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out 1. Sophomore pitcher Matt Ginter took over for him, allowing no runs on 2 hits in 3 1/3 innings. Matt struck out 4 and walked 2. Senior closer Van Johnson, allowing 1 run while pitching the 8th inning, took the loss. Senior shortstop Brad Freeman extended his hitting streak to 24 games with a single in the 1st. Redshirt freshman DH Jon Knott hit a 3-run home run in the 4th. Jon, who is batting .282, now has 5 home runs and 14 RBI in 39 at-bats this season. Senior leftfielder Rusty Thoms and junior rightfielder Brian Wiese had two hits a piece. Other players that had hits were senior catcher Barry Patton, junior second baseman Lake Thoms and junior PH/2B Chris Lotterhos. MSU is now 1-5 in the SEC and 13-7 overall.
03/15/98 - Miss State was defeated by Florida 6-5. Florida scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th off of reliever Hank Thoms. MSU and Florida will complete the three game series today beginning at 12:30 CST.
03/15/98 - Did you know that MSU baseball signee Chris Curry visited Texas A&M and Arkansas prior to visiting Miss State and had visits set up with Georgia and South Carolina after visiting Miss State? Well folks, after visiting Miss State, he decided he didn't have to visit anywhere else because it was the place for him. Now, if we can only keep him from going pro. Remember, he is Baseball America's Junior College Pre-Season Player-of-the-Year.
03/14/98 - Last night, Miss State (14-5) was defeated by Florida 14 to 8. Chris Reinike took the loss. Four Bulldog hitters hit home runs: outfielder Brian Terry, third baseman Travis Chapman, DH Jon Knott and outfielder Phillip Willingham.
Miss State and Florida continue their 3-game series with a game today at 4 p.m.
03/12/98 - Check out the outstanding MSU baseball link by Craig Jackson by clicking here.
03/12/98 - Miss State (13-4) defeated Northeast La., 4 to 3 once again. Northeast La. scored one run in the first to take the lead. Miss State came back in the top of the second to score two runs on hits by catcher Barry Patton, DH Jon Knott, second baseman Lake Thoms and center fielder Brooks Bryan. Northeast La. eventually took the lead with Miss State coming back to tie it up. Shortstop Brad Freeman knocked in the eventual winning run with his home run in the top of the 11th. Middle reliever Kevin Donovan replaced starting pitcher Scott Polk in the second and, once again, pitched effectively, holding Northeast La. to no runs . Relievers Matt Ginter and Hank Thoms also pitched, allowing no runs. Closer Van Johnson pitched the final inning to earn the save. Hank Thoms earned the victory. Brad Freemen extended his hitting streak (6 games last season, 17 this season) to 23 games.
Miss State will travel to Gainesville, Florida this weekend for a three-game SEC series.
03/11/98 - Miss State defeated Northeast La., 4 to 3. Miss State got behind early, 3-0 after five innings. In the sixth, MSU got 4 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks and 1 error. First baseman Richard Lee started it off with a solid single. Two walks and an error generated two runs. Then DH Jon Knott knocked in one run with a double. Pinch-hitter Dustin Dabbs then knocked in the lead run with a double. This run eventually turned out to be the winning run. MSU pitchers would make this 4-3 lead stand up for the rest of the game. Starting pitcher redshirt freshman Mark Freed pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 1. Relief pitcher Brian Compton earned his first MSU victory with a 3 1/3 inning performance, allowing 2 hits, no runs, no walks, while striking out 5. Closer Van Johnson closed out the game while pitching 2 innings, allowing no hits or runs. MSU is now 12-4 on the season.
These two teams play again this afternoon at 4 p.m.
03/10/98 - Weather permitting, MSU plays Northeast Louisiana tonight at 7 p.m. at NE LA.
03/09/98 - Miss State lost a double-header to Tennessee yesterday, 22 to 4 and 4 to 2. The first game was just too much Tennessee hitting and the second game was lack of clutch hitting on MSU's part. In the second game, senior right fielder Brooks Bryan hit a two-run home run and Jeremy Jackson pitched a solid 6-2/3 innings giving up 4 runs on 8 hits. For the double-header, first baseman Richard Lee was 5-for-7 and shortstop Brad Freeman was 4-for-8. For complete details, go to the Official MSU Athletic Department Baseball website by clicking here.
MSU DIAMOND NOTES (Provided by Athletic Media Relations): First-year MSU head coach Pat McMahon notched his 200th career win in his sixth season as a college head coach with Friday's 15–7 win over Tennessee ... Senior shortstop Brad Freeman (.460,6 HR, 23 RBI) has extended his in-season hit streak to 15 games and his career-best hit streak to 19 games. Freeman went 11-for-21 (.524) with two home runs ... The Bulldogs hit home runs in 4 of last week's five games, having now hit 29 HRs in 15 games ... Junior DH Brian Wiese continues to set the hitting pace for the Bulldogs, hitting at a .500 clip (28-for-56). Wiese went 9-for-19 (.474) over the past five games. He's had nine multi-hit games ... Junior pitcher Chris Reinike (2-1, 6.41) leads the club with 26 strikeouts in 19-2/3 innings.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, March 10 at Northeast Louisiana (6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 11 at Northeast Louisiana (4:00 p.m.)
Friday, March 13 at Florida (7:00 p.m. EST)
Saturday, March 14 at Florida (7:00 p.m. EST)
Sunday, March 15 at Florida (1:30 p.m. EST)
03/08/98 - Yesterday's Miss State - Tennessee game was rained out. They will play two seven inning games starting at Noon Sunday.
03/07/98 - MSU baseball's new theme song:
In last night's game, Miss State started their ace pitcher Chris Reinike, who, for two innings, looked like a batting practice pitcher while allowing four runs on four hits and two walks. Well, folks, old Chris was just getting his bearing during those two innings because, after the second inning, he allowed just four hits during the next five innings. He also struck out seven batters during those five innings.
While Reinike was mowing the Tennessee hitters down, his teammates were rockin the Tennessee pitcher Luke Hudson (3-0 prior to this game) to the tune of 9 runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. During those 4 1/3 innings, he threw 122 pitches. By the time he left the game, the Bulldogs were up 9 to 4.
The hitting stars were numerous: Rusty Thoms 5-for-6, Brad Freeman 3-for-4 with a HR, Richard Lee 3-for-4, true freshman Josh West 2-for-5 including a frozen rope double, Lake Thoms 2-for-4 with a HR, and Barry Patton 1-for-3 with 2 walks. Miss State hitters collected 19 total hits while scoring 15 runs to Tennessee's 7.
Lest I forget, Freeman and West made several outstanding defensive plays in the field, robbing Tennessee players of base hits.
BTW, did you know last night's victory was Coach McMahon's 200th victory? Did you also know this was Miss State first SEC season-opener victory since 1993 which was also a victory over Tennessee? Lee is two RBI from tying present MSU baseball coach Tommy Raffo for third place on MSU's all-time career RBI charts.
The outlook for today's game is not looking good right now. If MSU and Tennessee are not able to play today, look for two 7-inning games Sunday.
03/06/98 - Weather premitting, Miss State takes on Tennessee at 6:30 tonight. Be there as the McMahon SEC era begins!
03/05/98 - Miss State (10-2) defeated Memphis 9-1 yesterday.
Sophomore pitcher Kevin Donovan picked up the victory throwing 2 1/3 innings, striking out three, allowing no hits or runs and walking one. Scott Polk (3 IP, 2 H, 2 K, 1 BB, 0 R), Hank Thoms (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K, 1 BB, 0 R) and Van Johnson (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 3 K, 0 BB, 0 R) also pitched well.
Brooks Bryan (3 hits), Brian Wiese (2 hits, 3 RBI), Brad Freeman (3 hits, 1 RBI), and Richard Lee (2B, 3 RBI) had good days at the plate. Sophomore Brian Terry and Freshman Phillip Willingham had base hits.
Did you know MSU is second in the SEC in team defense (.970) behind Arkansas, which is fielding at a phenomenal .981? MSU is also second in hitting with a batting average of .359. Brian Wiese is second in the league in hitting with a .514 average.
03/04/98 - Miss State (9-2) defeated Memphis 8 to 7 in extra innings yesterday. Van Johnson picked up the victory in relief. Freshman Mark Freed started the game, giving up 4 earned runs on 7 hits in 5 1/3 while striking out 4 and walking 1. Brian Compton finished the 6th inning, striking out the two batters he faced. Matt Ginter pitched the 7th, 8th and 9th innings, giving up two runs on two hits and one walk. He also fanned six. Travis Chapman hit the game-winning home run (his 4th hit of the game) in the bottom of the 10th inning. Brian Wiese, continued to hit the ball hard, with three hits in yesterday's game. Brad Freeman hit a 2-run home run.
03/03/98 - Two Miss State players made the Winn-Dixie Showdown All-Tournament Team this past weekend: Brian Wiese (6-for-11) and Travis Chapman (4-for-11 with 5 RBI). BTW, did you know that Miss State has defeated LSU four of the last five times they have met?
Miss State has nine players with 14 or more at-bats hitting .306 or higher:
Brian Wiese - .514
Brad Freeman - .429
Richard Lee - .425
Lake Thoms - .391
Josh West - .357
Chris Lotterhos - .333
Travis Chapman - .333
Rusty Thoms - .324
Barry Patton - .306
Richard Lee leads the team in RBI with 21. The home run leaders are Lee and Freeman with 4 a piece. A freshman to keep your eye on is Jon Knott. Jon, in only 17 at-bats, has 3 home runs and 8 RBI and has struck out 1 time. Miss State has a team fielding average of .970 which is considered outstanding in college baseball. Opposing teams have a team ERA of 12.27 against MSU. Miss State is once again ranked 8th in the Collegiate Baseball Poll.
To see the complete stats from the MSU Athletic Media Relations Department, click here.
03/02/98 - Our 8th ranked Bulldogs defeated Tulane 4-1 Sunday. Lefthander Jeremy Jackson picked up the victory with 5 1/3 innings of 4-hit 1-run pitching. Jeremy also struck out 5 while walking just 2. Scott Polk, continuing to pitch well after arm surgery, threw 1 2/3 innings, giving up 2 hits while striking out 2 and walking 1. Van Johnson earned the save after allowing1 hit and no runs in 2 innings. That's the second day in a row Van has thrown 2 innings without allowing a run. If you take out Chris Reinike's 9 earned runs that he allowed in 3 1/3 innings, the Bulldogs allowed just 4 earned runs in 22 2/3 innings, which translates into an ERA of 1.59. The Bulldogs also committed only 3 errors the entire weekend. A red-shirt freshman to watch is Jon Knott. Jon now has 3 home runs in the first 10 games.
The Bulldogs, now 8-2 for the season, come back home to play Memphis during the mid-week and start SEC play Friday night with a 3-game series against Tennessee.
03/01/98 - Miss State lost for only the 2nd team this season with a 10-8 loss to New Orleans Saturday afternoon. Miss State was down 9-3 but came roaring back and had the tying run at the plate in the top of the 9th inning before finally losing the game. Chris Reinike took the loss. Hank Thoms came in and pitched effectively, giving up only 1 run. The Bulldogs committed one error (Hank Thoms threw the ball away trying to pick off a runner at 1st base.)
Did you know the lowest batting average in the starting lineup was Tavis Chapman's .344? Did you also know that Brian Wiese was batting .536 coming into the game? The overall MSU team batting average coming into the game was .382.
The Bulldogs play the Tulane Green Wave at 3 p.m. today.