By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

BILOXI — A half dozen former prep pitchers in the “Southern Six” now playing on the next level will be back home Tuesday night.

Four South Alabama hurlers along with a pair from Mississippi State will converge on MGM Park as the Bulldogs host the Jaguars in the Hancock-Whitney Classic at 6 p.m., at the home of the Biloxi Shuckers, the Class AA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

The appearance marks the fourth trip for the Bulldogs down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the past five years. Mississippi State will stick around to face New Orleans on Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m., and by the time the Bulldogs leave for Baton Rouge after taking on the Privateers that will mark their eighth game in Biloxi in the past five seasons as well.

Gates will open 60 minutes prior to first pitch on both nights.

Tickets are available to purchase through the MGM Park Box Office and Ticketmaster. You can purchase tickets during the MGM Park Box Office during regular hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hospitality area reservations can be made through the Shuckers by calling (228) 233-3465. Suites are also available for the game through the Biloxi Shuckers Sales Department.

“Having Mississippi State in Biloxi is always a thrill,” Shuckers General Manager Hunter Reed said. “We can’t wait to welcome in three excellent programs and we’re looking forward to two incredible crowds.”

The Bulldogs, the 2021 National Champions, will bring with them right-handed pitcher Logan Forsythe of D’Iberville and righthander Max Miller of Vancleave, while the Jaguars counter with a quartet of righty hurlers in Matthew Delano of Biloxi, Leif Moore of St. Martin, Seth Carter from Ocean Springs and Bay High’s Cooper Cooksey.

Mississippi State has previously played at MGM Park in 2020 and 2022 against Texas Tech. The Diamond Dawgs returned to MGM Park in 2023 and took on Louisiana and Nicholls State during the Hancock Whitney Classic. Three of the 10 largest crowds in MGM Park’s history have come during the Hancock Whitney Classic, including over 5,800 in attendance during last year’s game between Mississippi State and Louisiana.

“We are excited about continuing our trips to Biloxi this upcoming season,” Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Lemonis said. “We are thankful that the Biloxi Shuckers and MGM Park are having us each season. We feel it’s important to play across our state and the Shuckers do an unbelievable job of hosting. We enjoy coming to the Coast to give our fans a chance to see us play.”