WEEKEND SERIES

— Series breakdown

Quality pitching is one of the best things about watching SEC baseball games on Friday nights, and tonight’s matchup shouldn’t disappoint

Arkansas will send DJ Baxendale to the mound to face Mississippi State’s Chris Stratton. The two staff aces have a combined 9-0 record, and Stratton leads the league with 44 strikeouts.

Arkansas has won 10 consecutive games, but that isn’t likely to intimidate Mississippi State, which is 14-3 this season at Dudy Noble Field. MSU fans are sure to fill the stadium to support their team, which is battling through injures, and to see the Razorbacks, who are ranked No. 3 nationally by Baseball America.

Arkansas has played only three games away from Baum Stadium, but the Razorbacks performed well while winning 2 of 3 at the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

This series will match two teams with strong pitching staffs, and one or two bad innings could decide the series.

Mississippi State should be commended for how well it has played with a few top players out, but even with a full roster the Bulldogs aren’t as good as Arkansas this season.

PREDICTION Arkansas wins the series, 2-1

Sports, Pages 23 on 03/23/2012

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