WHO Arkansas vs. Mississippi State WHEN 6: 30 p.m. Central tonight WHERE Dudy Noble Field, Starkville, Miss. RADIO Arkansas Razorback Baseball Network, which includes KFAY-AM, 1030, in Fayetteville; KURM-AM, 790, in Springdale / Rogers; KWBF-FM, 101. 1, in Little Rock; KHGG-FM, 103. 1, in Fort Smith; and KOMT-FM, 107. 5, in Mountain Home PITCHING MATCHUP Arkansas: Cliff Springston (LHP, 5-2, 3. 94 ); Mississippi State: John Lalor (RHP, 3-3, 3. 31 ). Springston threw 71 efficient pitches in his last outing, allowing 2 earned runs on 8 hits in 5 2 / 3 innings in a no-decision against South Carolina. Lalor makes only his second start of the season after serving as an effective setup reliever. In the senior’s only start, April 13 against Vanderbilt, he allowed three earned runs in five innings and took the loss. SHORT HOPS Arkansas’ outfield Thursday included Casey Coon in left field, but Sean Jones wasn’t in the lineup. Coach Dave Van Horn was asked about the possibility of inserting Coon at designated hitter and starting Jones, one of the team’s best defensive outfielders but struggling offensively at. 171. “It does make us a little bit better out there running and catching it because Casey is still bothered by that [previous sprained ] ankle injury. It’s probably the best defensive outfield because they can run it down pretty good,” Van Horn said. “But Sean is still not 100 percent from that broken hand and he’s been up an down.” Aaron Murphree, who’s been hitting better of late, got the start at designated hitter Thursday.... The Razorbacks’ NCAA Tournament hopes should get a boost from their power rating. According to college baseball statistical Web site www.boydsworld.com, Arkansas took a Rating Percentage Index ranking of 17 into the series.... A remarkable streak is ending at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs, guaranteed of finishing dead last in the 12-team SEC this season, won’t participate in the SEC Tournament for the first time in 21 seasons.

THE WEEK AHEAD TODAY at Mississippi State 6: 30 p.m. SATURDAY at Mississippi State 6: 30 p.m. SUNDAY off MONDAY vs. Western Illinois, TBA TUESDAY off WEDNESDAY TBA THURSDAY TBA