Bulldogs look for payback at Valley

ITTA BENA, Miss. -- The Bulldogs will be looking for some payback this weekend when they visit Mississippi Valley State for a three-game series.

To say the games are important is an understatement.

Valley took two of three at Bulldogs Field last month and, at 4-14, are 2 1/2 games behind the Bulldogs' 5-10 record.

The Bulldogs, who are tied for third in the SWAC Eastern Division with Alcorn State, can essentially knock MVSU out of the playoff picture this weekend. The top four teams in each division qualify for the SWAC Tournament on May 17-21.

The Bulldogs have, counting this weekend, nine games remaining in the SWAC season. After MVSU, they host Alcorn State next weekend and travel to Jackson State on May 5-7.

Valley has six games left - the three with A&M and three at first-place Alabama State next weekend.

The Bulldogs are led at the plate by Cornelious Woods' team-high .306 batting average. Woods is second on the team with 15 runs batted in.

Carson McGregory (.291) leads the team in hits (43) and doubles (11). In the field, the junior first baseman has the most chances (326) and putouts (303) in the SWAC.

Recently converted third baseman Carlton Peppers, who has played in every game this season, has hit safely in four-straight games and six of the last seven.

On the mound, the Bulldogs boast of one of the nation's top pitchers in Brandon Marsonek.

The senior lefthander is tied for the most strikeouts in the nation (87) and leads the nation in mound appearances (29) and innings pitched (73.1).

The Bulldogs are back home Tuesday to take on Samford University. First pitch is 3 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Carlton Peppers: CF; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

#16 Carson McGregory: 1B; 6' 1"; Junior; R/L

#20 Cornelious Woods: INF; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#34 Brandon Marsonek: P; 6' 1"; Senior; L/L

Players Mentioned

#1 Carlton Peppers
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: CF

#16 Carson McGregory
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/L
: 1B

#20 Cornelious Woods
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: INF

#34 Brandon Marsonek
: 6' 1"; Senior; L/L
: P