Mississippi State Baseball Faces Must-Win Game 3 Against Tennessee

Bulldogs look to avoid second straight series sweep against SEC rival Volunteers

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:09pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the colors of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers uniforms, conveying the competitive spirit of their baseball matchup.A fractured, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity and energy of a crucial SEC baseball showdown between Mississippi State and Tennessee.Starkville Today

The No. 8 Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team (26-9, 7-7 SEC) faces a crucial Game 3 matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers (23-12, 6-8 SEC) on April 12 at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville. After dropping the first two games of the series, the Bulldogs need a win to avoid being swept for the second straight weekend and falling further behind in the SEC standings.

Why it matters

Mississippi State entered the season with high expectations as a top-10 team, but has struggled in SEC play so far. A series loss to Tennessee would be a significant setback, putting the Bulldogs in danger of falling out of the top 25 and making it harder to earn a high NCAA Tournament seed. The game also has major implications for Tennessee's postseason hopes as they look to bolster their resume.

The details

In the first two games of the series, Tennessee's pitching staff has stifled the Bulldogs' normally potent offense. Mississippi State will need to find a way to generate more runs and get a strong outing from their starting pitcher to avoid the sweep. The Volunteers have won the first two games by scores of 5-2 and 6-3.

  • The series finale is scheduled for April 12 at 1 p.m. CT.
  • Mississippi State is 7-7 in SEC play so far this season.

The players

Mississippi State Bulldogs

The No. 8 ranked college baseball team representing Mississippi State University.

Tennessee Volunteers

The college baseball team representing the University of Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to find a way to get the bats going again and get some momentum heading into the final game. This is a big one for us.”

— Chris Lemonis, Mississippi State Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Sunday's game will have a chance to gain ground in the SEC standings and improve their NCAA Tournament resume.

The takeaway

This series against Tennessee represents a critical juncture for the Mississippi State baseball team. A sweep would be a major setback, while a win in the finale could provide a much-needed boost heading into the second half of the SEC schedule.