A thrilling top-five matchup is set for Sunday afternoon as the No. 4 Mississippi State Bulldogs prepare to face off against No. 1 UCLA at Globe Life Field. In an exciting development for the team, sophomore right-handed pitcher Duke Stone has been named the starter for this highly anticipated showdown.
Stone, who hails from Uvalda, Georgia, is making his debut in the weekend rotation after impressing in his appearances this season. Transitioning from a freshman season where he logged just 4.2 innings, Stone has emerged as a pivotal component of the pitching staff. So far this season, he has pitched 10.0 innings, allowing only five hits, three runs, and two walks, while recording an impressive 16 strikeouts.
In his first start as a Diamond Dawg last week, Stone showcased his talent with a stellar performance against Troy, throwing 4.0 innings where he limited the opposition to a single hit and one run, while not issuing any walks and striking out six batters. He followed that outing by providing four scoreless innings in relief against Delaware, yielding only one hit and also striking out six.
Reflecting on his approach to the game, Stone emphasized a focused mentality: “I just try to take it one pitch at a time. Whether it’s coming out of the bullpen or starting, it’s kind of the same mentality. Just go out there and throw the first pitch and after you throw the first pitch, worry about the second. Just go out there and pound the zone.”
Stone’s rise to the weekend rotation comes following some struggles from fellow sophomore pitcher Charlie Foster, who has faced difficulties in his recent starts. With the Bulldogs looking to maintain their undefeated status, Stone’s role in this matchup is crucial.
UCLA, boasting a record of 7-2 and having been ranked No. 1 throughout the season, is coming off a solid victory against Tennessee and dominated Texas A&M with an 11-1 lead in their previous game. The matchup is set to begin at 2:30 p.m., where the Diamond Dawgs will aim for a strong performance against the formidable Bruins.
With a robust bullpen still available, including relief options like Ben Davis and Maddox Webb, Mississippi State seeks to leverage every advantage as they prepare for this critical game. Fans and players alike are eager to see if Duke Stone can deliver another standout performance in what is shaping up to be an exhilarating contest.