Mississippi State
Tennessee
No. 9 MSU Wraps Up Homestand With Vols
April 09, 2026 | Baseball
STARKVILLE - No. 9 Mississippi State closes out an eight-game homestand at Dudy Noble Field this weekend looking to get back on track in Southeastern Conference play as the Diamond Dawgs host Tennessee for a three-game series beginning Friday night.
First pitch for Friday's opener is set for 6 p.m. with the series continuing Saturday at 6 p.m. and concluding Sunday at 1 p.m. with all contests streaming on SEC Network+.
The Bulldogs (26-7, 7-5 SEC) have been one of the nation's most complete teams through the first half of the season, ranking among the top 10 nationally in multiple offensive and pitching categories, while also boasting one of the most electric home environments in college baseball.
State enters the series having won seven of its last 10 games and owning a 19-3 mark at home, where the Maroon and White faithful continue to set the standard nationally with an average attendance of 11,458 fans per game. The Bulldogs have already drawn 10 crowds of 10,000 or more this season, further cementing Dudy Noble Field as one of the sport's premier venues.
After dropping a hard-fought series to then fifth-ranked Georgia last weekend, MSU bounced back with a midweek win over UAB and now turns its focus to a Tennessee club that enters at 21-12 overall and 4-8 in league play.
Despite holding a 60-38 edge in the all-time series, Mississippi State is looking to snap a recent skid against the Volunteers, having dropped eight straight meetings dating back to 2019.
The Diamond Dawgs have been powered by a dynamic lineup that ranks among the SEC's best, hitting .327 as a team with 54 home runs and a .553 slugging percentage.
Graduate outfielder Bryce Chance has been the catalyst, reaching base in 29 consecutive games while batting .410 — second-best in the SEC — and striking out just seven times in 120 plate appearances.
He's far from alone.
Ace Reese, one of the nation's premier hitters, leads a deep lineup that includes Noah Sullivan, Gehrig Frei and Aidan Teel — all key pieces in an offense that has consistently produced from top to bottom. The combination of power and on-base ability has made MSU one of the most difficult lineups to navigate in the country.
Mississippi State's weekend rotation has been equally impressive, anchored by sophomore left-hander Tomas Valincius, who will get the ball in Friday's opener.
Valincius has been dominant, posting a 6-1 record with a 1.15 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 47 innings, establishing himself as one of the SEC's top arms.
Right-hander Duke Stone is slated for Saturday after compiling a 5-0 record with 55 strikeouts, while lefty Charlie Foster is expected to take the mound in Sunday's finale.
As a staff, the Bulldogs carry a 3.40 ERA with 377 strikeouts and limit opponents to a .216 batting average — numbers that rank among the best nationally.
The Vols are expected to counter with right-hander Landon Mack on Friday, followed by Tegan Kuhns and Evan Blanco over the weekend.
Tennessee brings a capable lineup into Starkville, hitting .264 with 53 home runs, but will be tested against one of the league's top pitching staffs.
With the midpoint of SEC play approaching, this series carries added significance for State as it looks to maintain its position among the nation's elite and continue building its postseason résumé.
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