MSU adjusting weekend as Tennessee Tech can't come to Dudy Noble
The third weekend of the college baseball season has thrown Mississippi State a curveball.
The No. 3 Bulldogs were slated to host Tennessee Tech in a three-game series at Dudy Noble Field starting Friday, however COVID-19 issues within the Tennessee Tech program will prohibit the Golden Eagles from coming to Starkville.
That of course left a hole in MSU's weekend schedule and it's an opening the Bulldogs filled quickly. Kent State is now slated to come to Dudy Noble Field. Games are set for 6 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday (all central times).
Kent State found itself in a similar spot to MSU this weekend. The Golden Flashes were originally set to go to West Virginia for three games starting on Friday, however the Mountaineers – like Tennessee Tech – have also paused all activities due to COVID-19 issues. That left the Flashes in need of a weekend matchup and the Bulldogs were standing in Starkville with welcoming arms.
The Flashes will bring with them to MSU a 3-2 overall record. They lost a pair of games to Virginia Tech on opening weekend, then last weekend, they swept the same Tennessee Tech team they have replaced against MSU.
It's also notable that games this weekend at Dudy Noble Field are expected to occur in front of much larger crowds than MSU has had in its previous four home games. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Tuesday that he is rolling back many of the state's COVID-19 restrictions and as part of Reeves' order, there is no longer a capacity limit on outdoor gatherings. Thus, MSU is making plans to get more people into Dudy Noble Field starting this weekend after only around 2,500 fans watched each game of State's series against Tulane last weekend. For more on MSU's Dudy Noble Field attendance plan, CLICK HERE.
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