Mississippi State baseball has announced a shift in its pitching strategy for the opening game of the NCAA tournament. The No. 3 seeded Bulldogs (34-21) will feature Ben Davis as the starting pitcher against No. 2 seed Northeastern (48-9) on May 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT, broadcasting on ESPN+.
While Davis typically plays out of the bullpen, he has made three starts this season, with his last outing as a starter occurring against Oklahoma on March 22. The right-handed junior, who joined Mississippi State from Itawamba Community College, holds a record of 3-2 and maintains a 3.96 ERA. His longest performance this season was six innings, pitched against Queens on March 8.
Northeastern will respond with left-handed pitcher Will Jones, boasting an impressive record of 11-0 and an ERA of 1.82. The Bulldogs are also set to potentially face either No. 1 Florida State (38-14) or No. 4 Bethune-Cookman (37-21) in their next game on May 31.
The strategic changes in Mississippi State’s pitching lineup highlight the importance of adaptability in tournament play, as teams must often adjust their plans to counter their opponents effectively. The excitement builds as the Bulldogs prepare to take the field in a highly competitive regional matchup.