This Weekend Is a Must-Win for Mississippi State Baseball

MSU faces a must-win situation as they host Georgia.

David Mershon / Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs have been a rollercoaster ride in the first 30 games of the season, but now it is must-win time. MSU has started 4-5 in SEC play, which, considering their schedule, is not a bad mark, but poor play in nonconference games has left them in a hole. 

Last weekend, they could have easily swept the Florida Gators, as they held a lead going into the ninth inning in both games they lost. However, they came up short of the sweep, but they still had momentum after playing well in Gainesville; this weekend's series with Georgia was going to be massive regardless, but it holds even more weight after Tuesday. 

MSU hosted Central Arkansas on Tuesday, and despite a furious comeback, they fell short and lost 7-6 to the Bears. That was the sixth nonconference loss of the season, and that puts more pressure on them in the weekend series. 

They have played well in all of their conference games, but they are inconsistent at times. However, the games are always competitive and within striking distance. It seems this team plays up to and down to its competition, as sometimes they look poised to make a run to be a host, while other times they look like a team that could miss post-season play. 

This weekend will tell a lot about this team's fate as they face Georgia, a formidable opponent, but they are beatable. A series win would leave this team with a 6-5 conference mark and in an excellent position with a trip to Oxford and a home series with Auburn ahead of them. 

However, a series loss could send this team spiraling. It is a defining moment for MSU head coach Chris Lemonis, and he will need to have his team prepared; lucky for them, it is at Dudy Noble Field that can, at times, will this team to victory. 

The key to the weekend on the mound is finding a reliever in the back end of the bullpen to step up. MSU will roll with the same rotation they did a week ago, and Khal Stephen and Jurrangelo Cijntje were both very effective. 

However, the Bulldogs wasted a gem by Stephen by blowing a 6-2 lead. It could be a variety of guys: Brooks Auger, Tyler Davis, or Cam Schuelke. 

Whoever it is must accept the challenge of closing out games, or it will be another frustrating weekend for Mississippi State. The key hitter will be Amani Larry. 

Larry has been slumping in the leadoff spot, although he often gets on base. He has done an excellent job of that, but the Louisiana native has power in his bat and can drive in rums. 

When he gets on, it gives Dakota Jordan and Hunter Hines RBI opportunities, which is all the Bulldogs can ask for. The first pitch for the series opener is tonight at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.