Mississippi State will venture away from Dudy Noble Field for the first time this afternoon hoping to get the taste of defeat out of its mouth.

The eighth-ranked Bulldogs dropped their final two games over the weekend and will take on Southern Miss at 6:30 p.m. in their annual contest at Trustmark Park in Pearl.

MSU began the year 17-2 on their 19-game homestand to start the season. Central Arkansas handed the Diamond Dogs their first two losses of the season on Saturday (7-5, 10-innings) and Sunday (7-3) also marking their first series loss as well.

State leads the all-time series against Southern Miss 77-36 and have won four straight over the Golden Eagles. The two Magnolia State schools have split their previous meetings at the home of the AA Mississippi Braves each winning a pair.

The Bulldogs got the better end of a 5-0 win in the contest over USM at Trustmark Park last season. Brandon Woodruff, Nick Routt and Ross Mitchell combined for the shutout on the mound. Shortstop Adam Frazier and catcher Mitch Slauter led the Mississippi State offense each with a pair of hits with Slauter and right fielder Hunter Renfroe both smashing home runs.



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