Mississippi State fell a bit further than expected in the Monday reveal of the NCAA Tournament bracket, as the Bulldogs were not a top four seed as had been previously predicted. Instead, MSU will be the #6 national seed, and will welcome three teams to Starkville this weekend, including one of the historically best programs in the nation.
STARKVILLE REGIONAL GAME TIMES – MAY 31
#1 Mississippi State vs. #4 Southern U. – 1 PM ET
#2 Miami (FL) vs. #3 Central Michigan – 8 PM ET#RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/hwL43WyIV7— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) May 27, 2019
Here’s a quick look at who is heading to Dudy Noble for the regional.
#2 Miami Hurricanes
Miami will travel to Mississippi State as the two seed in the Starkville Regional! pic.twitter.com/iNT1YVLaIH
— Canes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) May 27, 2019
Miami finished the year 39-18, 18-12 in the ACC, finishing second in the Coastal Division. The Hurricanes had an RPI of 17, and were in many late predictions as a likely host. A quick exit from the ACC tournament sealed their fate as far as being on the road.
#3 Central Michigan Chippewas
The Chippewas are heading to the Starkville Regional as the No.3️⃣ seed! @NCAACWS #FireUpChips 🔥☝️⚾️ pic.twitter.com/UmoHqbF11o
— CMU Baseball (@CMUBaseball) May 27, 2019
Central Michigan is one of the nation’s hottest teams, having won the MAC regular season and conference tournament titles. The Chippewas will head to Starkville on an 18 game winning streak, 43-11 overall.
#4 Southern Jaguars
Southern University celebrates the spoils of a 'rags to riches' story which culminates in a SWAC Championship and a NCAA Regional Appearance. Tyler LaPorte named tournament MVP and Eli Finney records second win of the postseason. Photos by Derick E. Hingle. pic.twitter.com/4FfxfJ40SB
— Southern U. Sports (@SouthernUsports) May 20, 2019
Southern won the SWAC Tournament championship, finishing the season with a record of 32-22. The Jaguars did take a midseason victory over LSU earlier this year.
State will play game 1 on Friday with a noon first pitch, a decision that MSU had a large part in. The Starkville Regional winner will take on the winner of the Palo Alto regional, hosted by Stanford University, the national #11 seed. Coach Chris Lemonis said as of today, the staff had not made a decision regarding the pitching staff and who will start against Southern on Friday.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Donoho/Mississippi State athletics
