Good morning! Check out who will take the mound for the Diamond Dawgs’ first game in the Charlottesville Regional against St. John’s.

What else did we throw into today’s Bulldog Brew?

🏈 SEC announces four State show times
⚾️  Hujsak is coming up huge
🐶 And much, much more!

🎥 THE DUDES

The Dudes: Grand Purpose (S.1 E.4). In this episode, we follow Burke Masters from his iconic grand slam to send the Bulldogs to Omaha to his unexpected path as a Catholic priest and now as the Chicago Cubs' team chaplain. Reflecting on his college years, Masters shares how baseball instilled in him values that still resonate today. Integrating his love for the game with his spiritual calling, he finds fulfillment in guiding players both on and off the field. Through his story, we witness the seamless blending of sportsmanship, faith, and the unwavering belief in God's plan that defines Masters' remarkable journey.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼  Show Times. The Coach Lebby Era of Bulldog football reached one step closer after the SEC announced kickoff times and TV networks for the first three games of the 2024 season, as well as the annual Egg Bowl. The season will begin with State taking on Eastern Kentucky in Starkville at 5 p.m. on August 31 on ESPN+ and SEC Network+. The first road trip of the season will be to Tempe, Ariz., where the Bulldogs will take on Arizona State at 9:30 p.m. on September 7 on ESPN. Then, State will host Toledo on September 14 at 6:30 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.

The annual Egg Bowl, originally scheduled to be played on Nov. 30, has been moved to Friday, Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m. and will be televised on ABC.

🔼  Coming Up Huge. Diamond Dawg Connor Hujsak has taken himself from freshman foe of the Dawgs to State star. Hujsak's path is one certainly deserving of recollection, if not a full-length feature film. And it's not so much about how he enters the NCAA Tournament as State's leading hitter with a .350 batting average, put together while compiling a team-high three triples to go along with 13 doubles and nine home runs. All that's just the latest, greatest chapter in this intriguing story.

🗣️ "It means the world to me. [Coming to State was] the best decision of my life." - Connor Hujsak

📚️ Read more about Hujsak and his journey ahead of the Bulldogs’ first NCAA Regional matchup

📝 Preview the Diamond Dawgs’ matchup against St. John’s

🔼  State of Mind. For the second time in the award's four-year history, Mississippi State has received the CSC ChangeMaker Innovation Award. MSU's winning initiative centered on preparing students at State for careers in athletic communications. The win marked State as the first school to win the award multiple times.

🔼  Dear Ol’ State. Mississippi State baseball is getting set to begin play in the Charlottesville Regional and two of the biggest reasons why are outfielder Connor Hujsak and relief pitcher Tyler Davis. On the latest episode of Dear Ol' State, Joel Coleman and Logan Lowery chat with Hujsak and Davis and discuss their contributions to this year's team.

🎧️ Listen to Dear Ol’ State: A Couple of Key Dudes

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

Dude Debut. Bulldog baseball pitcher Tyler Davis has shown that he thrives under pressure, especially during his time with Mississippi State.

Our question today: do you know when the standout pitcher took the mound at The Dude for the first time?

Think you got it? Scroll to the bottom of the Bulldog Brew to see if you know your stuff!

🤝 SHARE THE BREW

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📆 LOOKING AHEAD

Friday, May 31

⚾️ Baseball vs. St. John’s @ 6 p.m. in Charlottesville, VA | Tickets | Watch | Listen | Live Stats

Saturday, June 1

⚾️ Baseball vs. Penn/UVA @ TBD in Charlottesville, VA | Tickets | Watch | Listen | Live Stats

Sunday, June 2

No scheduled events

🐶 Click here to see the full Mississippi State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: June 4, 2021!

Tyler Davis made his Dudy Noble Field debut not as a Bulldog, but as a freshman with VCU during the Starkville Regional.

🐶 Have a great weekend, y'all!