Mississippi State
Team Capsule
Posted: Thursday May 28, 1998 06:31 PM
Coach: Pat McMahon (6th year, 1st at Mississippi State)
Nickname: Bulldogs
Record and conference finish: 41-21, SEC West -- 4th
NCAA Tournament Region and Seed: Central, 4th
Total NCAA appearances: 20
NCAA Tournament Record: 53-38
College World Series Appearance: 7th
CWS Record: 6-12
Last CWS appearance: 1997, lost to Alabama, 3-2; beat UCLA, 7-5
lost to Alabama, 9-5
Top Finish: Tied 3rd (1985)
Probable Starting Lineup
------------------------
C -- Barry Patton (.295, 7 HR, 55 RBI)
1B -- Richard Lee (.359, 18, 80)
2B -- Chris Lotterhos (.322, 2, 17)
3B -- Travis Chapman (.339, 10, 50)
SS -- Brad Freeman (.362, 11, 52)
LF -- Rusty Thomas (.311, 2, 35)
CF -- Brooks Bryan (.345, 8, 44)
RF -- Brian Wiese (.424, 14, 57)
DH -- Jon Knott (.238, 13, 42)
SP -- Mark Freed (6-5, 5.30 ERA)
SP -- Matt Ginter (5-4, 5.06)
SP -- Jeremy Jackson (10-2, 4.07)
RP -- Van Johnson (9 saves, 4.07)
Outlook: Mississippi State comes to Omaha for the second
straight year and seventh time overall. The Bulldogs have never
advanced out of their bracket and into the championship game.
This season, they became the first four seed to advance to the
World Series since USC in 1992. The team relys on a strong
pitching staff, led by sophomore RHP Matt Ginter (5-4, 5.06 ERA)
and LHP Jeremy Jackson (10-2, 4.07). Jackson, who worked at
least five innings in 12 of his 16 outings, likely will get the
call for the opener against top seed Florida. RH closer Van
Johnson (nine saves) struck out 32 and walked just seven in 42
2/3 innings. The offense is led by senior 1B Richard Lee, who
ranks in the top 10 in school history in RBI, hits, total bases,
doubles, homers and runs. This season, Lee leads the team with
26 multi-RBI games to go along with a .359 average, 16 homers
and 80 RBI. RF Brian Wiese hit a team-high .424 average. Not
known as a home run-hitting team, Mississippi State has
launched 93 homers this season, three short of matching the
school record established in 1989. The Bulldogs have one of
the fastest teams in the nation and their four steals in the
Central Regional play gave them 74 for the season, the most
since the 1990 team had 98. SS Brad Freeman and LF Rusty
Thomas share the team lead with 16 steals. Six of the Bulldogs
eight position starters are seniors.
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