Cowbell Corner

Game Preview: Kentucky at Mississippi State, Double Header

Everything to know about Mississippi State and Kentucky’s double header at Dudy Noble Field, including starting lineups, injury updates and weather forecast.
Taylor Hodges|
Mississippi State Bulldogs' Gehrig Frei (34) foul tips the ball as Auburn Tigers baseball takes on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Mississippi State Bulldogs' Gehrig Frei (34) foul tips the ball as Auburn Tigers baseball takes on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Friday, April 25, 2025. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The schedule may have changed, but the goal hasn’t for Mississippi State: put aside the off-the-field drama and win.

The Bulldogs still have a path to the NCAA Tournament that doesn’t involve winning the SEC tournament and getting that automatic bid. But to do that, the Bulldogs (26-19, 7-14 SEC) need to beat Kentucky (25-17, 10-11 SEC) twice.

It’s not impossible. Mississippi State won its series against Alabama earlier this season and has built leads in a lot of their recent games. If the Bulldogs find a way to hold onto those leads, they’ll make the field of 64.

But the path must begin now.

Here’s everything to know about Mississippi State and Kentucky’s double header at Dudy Noble Field, including game one starting lineups, injury updates, weather forecast (yes, storms are in the forecast again) and tv listings.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Starting Lineup

  1. Gehrig Frei, LF
  2. Sawyer Reeves, SS
  3. Ace Reese, 3B
  4. Noah Sullivan, DH
  5. Hunter Hines, 1B
  6. Bryce Chance, CF
  7. Reed Stallman, RF
  8. Joe Powell, C
  9. Gatlin Sanders, 2B

Kentucky Wildcats Starting Lineup

  1. Tyler Bell, SS
  2. Ryan Schwartz, RF
  3. Cole Hage, LF
  4. Hudson Brown, DH
  5. Kyuss Gargett, 3B
  6. Devin Burkes, C
  7. Luke Lawrence, 2B
  8. James McCoy, 1B
  9. Shaun Montoya, CF

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: RHP Nate Harris (4-2, 3.67 ERA, 41.2 IP, 31 SO, 15 BB, 17 ER, .214 b/avg.) vs. LHP Pico Kohn (4-2, 3.82 ERA, 61.1 IP, 89 SO, 15 BB, 26 ER, .219 b/avg.)

Game 2: RHP Nic McCay (4-0, 3.42 ERA, 52.2 IP, 54 SO, 31 BB, 20 ER, .179 b/avg.) vs. RHP Evan Siary (1-1, 4.09 ERA, 33 IP, 37 SO, 11 BB, 15 ER, .222 b/avg.)

Injury Report

Kentucky

Out

  • INF Ethan Hindle
  • OF Will Marcy
  • RHP Robert Hogan

Mississippi State

Out

  • C Jackson Owen
  • LHP Charlie Foster
  • RHP Chase Hungate
  • RHP Gavin Black
  • RHP JT Schnoor

Weather Forecast

The major thunderstorms appear to have passed Starkville, but there is still a chance for some storms around gametime. AccuWeather’s forecast has a 54 percent chance of storms at 2 p.m. and then less than 50 percent the rest of the game. Temperatures will be in the low 70s and there will some sunshine between clouds.

How to Watch

When: 2 p.m., Saturday; Game 2 will start 40 minutes after the end of the first game

Where: Dudy Noble Field, Starkville, Miss.

TV: SECN+

Radio: Live Radio

Stats: Live Stats

DAWG FEED:

Published | Modified
Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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