This series matches the two teams with the most tradition in the SEC. Before LSU took over Omaha in the 90's, Mississippi State was the SEC team most likely to be seen in Rosenblatt. Then Skip Bertman got Gorilla Ball rolling, winning five titles, while MSU struggled. The tables have turned, as this year's MSU team looks to be a good bet to get a national seed, while LSU is struggling under first-year coach Paul Mainieri.

The Tigers enter today at 21-18 and only 6-9 in the SEC. As is common any time a new coach takes over in college baseball, LSU's roster has been depleted by transfers, and the team is experiencing growing pains. Gorilla Ball is definitely no more, as the Tigers have homered only 29 times this season and have one of the least physically imposing teams in the SEC. Designated hitter Blake Dean is the only Tiger hitting over .300 and he leads the team in batting average (.351), slugging (.547), on-base average (.400), RBI (31), and extra-base hits (18). Tiger starting pitching has been a strong point this season, and Ryan Byrd (5-1, 3.65 ERA) will start today.

LSU stats

Mississippi State (25-8, 9-5) has been outstanding this season, rating fourth in the nation in RPI. The Bulldogs have been bashing other teams to death, batting .342 as a team. Shortstops Brandon Turner (batting .430) and catcher Edward Easley (.398 and slugging .639) are the most likely to do damage, but eight starters are batting at least .318. Pitching hasn't been quite so pretty. Opponents are hitting .314 versus the Bulldog staff, which sports a 5.62 ERA. Justin Pigott (3-3, 5.50 ERA) gets his eighth start today. Though opponents are hitting .335 against him, he was fantastic in his last start, throwing a complete game 2-1 win at Arkansas.

MSU stats

Mississippi State broke open a close game last night and went on to bomb the Tigers in the series opener, 12-3.

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