Tech will travel to #5 Miss State tonight for its final midweek game of the season.
State’s RPI sits at #3 right now.
First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network +.
LHP Logan Robbins (4-3, 4.80 ERA, 60 IP, 67 hits allowed, 26 BB, and 47 K) will get the start on the mound for Tech.
RHP Brandon Smith (2-0, 3.45 ERA, 28.2 IP, 30 hits allowed, 4 BB, and 24 K) will get the start for Mississippi State. Smith is a freshman. He’ll be 90-92, might touch 93, good slider. Excellent command of the strike zone. This will be his second start of the season.
Key Relievers:
RHP Jared Liebelt (1-0, 2.45 ERA, 40.1 IP, 38 hits allowed, 6 BB, and 27 K)
RHP Colby White (2-1, 3.74 ERA, 21.2 IP, 15 hits allowed, 5 BB, and 39 K) – he can run it up to 98, pretty obvious looking at his strikeout totals that he has good stuff.
RHP Cole Gordon (4-0, 4.94 ERA, 27.1 IP, 24 hits allowed, 15 BB, and 41 K) – he’ll be up to 94, he was the closer much of the season but has lost his job recently, wipeout breaking ball, big physical presence on the mound
Offensively, Miss State is extremely impressive. They are averaging over 8 runs per game and sit back and wait for the long ball.
Jake Mangum (.401, 1 home runs, 37 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 20 doubles) is the igniter at the top. He’s the lone guy that is a true speed threat. The SEC’s career lead in hits.
Justin Foscue (.333, 13 home runs, 53 RBI) will be at second base. Having a monster year after hitting only .241 as a freshman.
Tanner Allen (.322, 6 home runs, 51 RBI) is a small guy, but he’s Mr. Consistent at first base. Can hit to all fields.
Dustin Skelton (.313, 9 home runs, 41 RBI) is one of the better defensive catchers in the country that has broken out offensively in 2019. He only had one home run in his first two years on campus. He is the brother of former Tech shortstop Dalton Skelton.
Jordan Westburg (.312, 6 home runs, 50 RBI) will be at shortstop. He’s been a surprise this year offensively after hitting .248 last year.
Elijah McNamee (.303, 6 home runs, 44 RBI) is a player that has a flair for the dramatic. McNamee hit five home runs in the NCAA Tournament last year including two walk off shots. He left the Sunday game against Ole Miss with an injury, so he may not be in there tonight.
Chris Lemonis is in his first season as the head coach at State after coming over from Indiana. He has a talented club that is as good as any team in the country.
Miss State has won 10 of their last 11 games since being swept by Arkansas April 18-20.
Tech last played at Miss State in 2017 when the good guys won 3-2.
Free Preview: https://latech.rivals.com/news/bleedtechblue-preview-diamond-dogs-set-for-final-midweek-game-at-5-msu
State’s RPI sits at #3 right now.
First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network +.
LHP Logan Robbins (4-3, 4.80 ERA, 60 IP, 67 hits allowed, 26 BB, and 47 K) will get the start on the mound for Tech.
RHP Brandon Smith (2-0, 3.45 ERA, 28.2 IP, 30 hits allowed, 4 BB, and 24 K) will get the start for Mississippi State. Smith is a freshman. He’ll be 90-92, might touch 93, good slider. Excellent command of the strike zone. This will be his second start of the season.
Key Relievers:
RHP Jared Liebelt (1-0, 2.45 ERA, 40.1 IP, 38 hits allowed, 6 BB, and 27 K)
RHP Colby White (2-1, 3.74 ERA, 21.2 IP, 15 hits allowed, 5 BB, and 39 K) – he can run it up to 98, pretty obvious looking at his strikeout totals that he has good stuff.
RHP Cole Gordon (4-0, 4.94 ERA, 27.1 IP, 24 hits allowed, 15 BB, and 41 K) – he’ll be up to 94, he was the closer much of the season but has lost his job recently, wipeout breaking ball, big physical presence on the mound
Offensively, Miss State is extremely impressive. They are averaging over 8 runs per game and sit back and wait for the long ball.
Jake Mangum (.401, 1 home runs, 37 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 20 doubles) is the igniter at the top. He’s the lone guy that is a true speed threat. The SEC’s career lead in hits.
Justin Foscue (.333, 13 home runs, 53 RBI) will be at second base. Having a monster year after hitting only .241 as a freshman.
Tanner Allen (.322, 6 home runs, 51 RBI) is a small guy, but he’s Mr. Consistent at first base. Can hit to all fields.
Dustin Skelton (.313, 9 home runs, 41 RBI) is one of the better defensive catchers in the country that has broken out offensively in 2019. He only had one home run in his first two years on campus. He is the brother of former Tech shortstop Dalton Skelton.
Jordan Westburg (.312, 6 home runs, 50 RBI) will be at shortstop. He’s been a surprise this year offensively after hitting .248 last year.
Elijah McNamee (.303, 6 home runs, 44 RBI) is a player that has a flair for the dramatic. McNamee hit five home runs in the NCAA Tournament last year including two walk off shots. He left the Sunday game against Ole Miss with an injury, so he may not be in there tonight.
Chris Lemonis is in his first season as the head coach at State after coming over from Indiana. He has a talented club that is as good as any team in the country.
Miss State has won 10 of their last 11 games since being swept by Arkansas April 18-20.
Tech last played at Miss State in 2017 when the good guys won 3-2.
Free Preview: https://latech.rivals.com/news/bleedtechblue-preview-diamond-dogs-set-for-final-midweek-game-at-5-msu
