Starting 9
1) Missouri State plays the first of consecutive Tuesday games against in-state rival Missouri with a trip to Columbia for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
2) The Bears have collected 119 extra base hits in 31 games and rank in the top 32 nationally in batting average (32nd - .297), slugging (25th - .497) and scoring (27th - 7.9). Missouri State has scored five or more runs in an inning 14 times this season.
3) Missouri State has hit five or more home runs in four games this season, has five different players with a multi-homer game, and has hit back-to-back long balls on four occasions.
4) Senior
Dakota Kotowski ranks 11th nationally with 14 home runs and 5th with 0.45 homers per game. He hit his 10th home run on March 20 in MSU's 18th game of the season. Only Jason Hart has reached double figures in fewer games, hitting his 10th in game 16 of the 1998 campaign.
5) In 12 true road games this season, Missouri State is hitting .303 and slugging .524 with 24 home runs and an 8.75 scoring average.
6) Missouri State has turned 28 double plays on the year to rank 42nd nationally in total DPs and 24th in per game average at 0.90.
7) The Bears are hitting .321 and average 4.5 runs against opposing relievers. Missouri State has scored more runs than games played in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings this season.
8) Missouri State leads 30-29 in the all-time series with a 14-17 mark in Columbia. The Bears won 7-5 at Taylor Stadium last season.
9) Head coach
Keith Guttin picked up his 1,300th career victory on April 13, 2021 at Missouri. Guttin's troops beat the Tigers 7-5 in Columbia, and the 40th-year coach currently ranks third among active coaches and 18th overall with 1,323 career wins.
