After sweeping their opening series last weekend in dominating fashion against Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio), the Mississippi State University Bulldogs seek to continue success with another four-game series against the Marshall University Thundering Herd and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. 
The only game the Bulldogs struggled in over the weekend was in their Saturday game against Cincinnati. MSU went down 4-0 in the second inning, but scored 17 unanswered runs, including an eight-run sixth inning to secure the win 19-5. MSU sophomore Vance Tatum came in relief of freshman Jesse McCord after the Dogs were down 4-0 and tossed 4.2 scoreless innings. 
The Bulldogs produced a great deal of offense over the weekend. MSU scored a total of 48 runs in the four game series, which are the most runs scored by a Bulldog team in a four-game stretch since 2007. This offensive clinic included home runs from Wes Rea, Reid Humphreys and Jake Vickerson all in game two of the series. Trusty MSU senior pitcher Ross Mitchell pitched 5.2 shutout innings in relief of Jacob Laster in game two. The Bulldogs also had a big weekend from leadoff man Seth Heck, who collected nine hits and scored seven runs. 
MSU sophomore centerfielder Jacob Robsonis another player who will look to continue his success this weekend. The Canada native was named Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Week. Robson reached base on 16 of his 17 plate appearances and finished the weekend with eight runs scored. 
Several young Bulldogs gained experience this weekend as Heck, Robson and Humphreys were the only players to start all four games. Head Coach John Cohen has a history of playing several different players and experimenting with different lineups in non-conference play. Expect that trend to continue in the three weeks before SEC play begins. 
This weekend’s opponents should prepare the Bulldogs for SEC play. Marshall defeated Florida A&M in two out of three games on opening weekend in Tallahassee, Florida, and Alabama A&M lost three out of four to Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. Both Marshall and Alabama A&M finished the 2014 season with losing records, and both were at least ten games under .500. However, the Thundering Herd would definitely seem to be the tougher of the two opponents. 
Marshall set a school record last weekend in game two against Florida A&M. After losing its opener 4-3, the Thundering Herd combined for a school-record 31 hits in a 24-2 win. Marshall won the final game of the series 10-9.
Sophomore leadoff man Corey Bird is a top productive player to watch for Marshall. The centerfielder led the Thundering Herd in hits, batting average and stolen bases as a true freshman in 2014. Bird recorded six hits, five runs and seven RBI in the two wins against Florida A&M last weekend. 
While four games are scheduled for this weekend, heavy rain is in the forecast. MSU already had its Tuesday game against Mississippi Valley State canceled due to cold weather, and it is unlikely MSU will be able to play all four games this weekend. Marshall and Alabama A&M are set to play two games against each other at 2 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Sunday at Dudy Noble Field. MSU is scheduled to play Marshall at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night and will play a doubleheader starting with Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. and Marshall at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Weather permitting, MSU will finish the weekend against Alabama A&M at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.