STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — The surging Mississippi State Bulldogs, off to an 11-2 start, will host the Lipscomb Bisons in a three-game nonconference series opener Friday at Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for Friday afternoon under cloudy skies with temperatures near 78 degrees.

The Bulldogs enter with one of the nation’s best early records, including series wins over Arizona State and Virginia Tech. Their only two losses came in their last two outings: a 7-6 defeat at Southern Mississippi on Tuesday and a 10-inning, 8-7 loss to UCLA last Sunday. In the loss to Southern Miss, first baseman Reed Stallman went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and reliever Parker Rhodes tossed two scoreless innings.

Rhodes, a key arm out of the bullpen, has not allowed an earned run in three of his last four appearances. He will be a player to watch for Mississippi State.

Lipscomb (6-5) arrives after taking three of four games from Toledo, capped by a 13-5 victory Monday. In that win, second baseman Brady Miller drove in three runs and reliever Mack Mabrey threw three hitless innings.

Mabrey, the Bisons’ player to watch, has been effective lately, allowing just one earned run over his last 4 1/3 innings pitched while surrendering no hits.

The series represents a significant early test for Lipscomb, which will face a Mississippi State team that has scored 10 or more runs in five games this season. The Bulldogs’ offense will challenge a Lipscomb pitching staff that has shown inconsistency.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Mississippi State is projected to win Friday’s opener 7-5.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday in Starkville before both teams embark on busy stretches. Mississippi State opens Southeastern Conference play at Arkansas next weekend, while Lipscomb begins ASUN Conference action at home against North Alabama.