State Hosts WKU Wednesday On "Military Appreciation Day"

STARKVILLE, Miss. - On the heels of a 4-0 sweep of games in last weekend's BankFirst Baseball Challenge, Mississippi State (8-3) closes out its season-opening 12-game homestand Wednesday afternoon, hosting Western Kentucky University (8-3) in a 4 p.m. contest.

It's the first of five Wednesday games designated as "Military Appreciation Day" this season at Dudy Noble Field. All service personnel will receive free admission upon presentation of a military identification card at the stadium ticket office. General admission tickets cost $5 and go on sale at the stadium ticket office two hours prior to first pitch. In honor of those who serve in the military, the MSU baseball team will wear special camouflage baseball caps during their five home Wednesday games.

The Bulldogs have tabbed senior lefty Tyler Whitney (0-0, 9.00) for his second start of the campaign, while junior righty Brian Edelen (1-0, 0.00) is set to make his second start of the year for the WKU Hilltoppers.

Senior outfielder and 10-game starter Luke Adkins (.421) continues to set the pace for State at the plate. The Bulldogs' lead-off hitter has 16 hits and a team-best .532 on-base percentage through 11 games. Senior first baseman Connor Powers (.357), honored as the player of the week by both the SEC and Collegiate Baseball newspaper, opened the week with a league-leading seven home runs and 25 RBI. Powers belted three three-run home runs and piled up 15 RBI in four BankFirst Baseball Challenge games last week.

Prior to a Tuesday game against Tennessee, sophomore outfielder Kes Carter owned a team-best .409 batting average with 18 hits and 11 RBI in 11 games. Three other Hilltoppers have reached double figures in RBI, led by junior catcher Matt Rice's 13.