the sound of 12-0

That noise you hear coming from Starkville — sounds kinda like a train — is the Bulldog Express, which has roared to a 12-0 start with remarkable efficiency. Highly ranked Mississippi State has outscored its opposition 134-65. Eight of its 12 wins are by five runs or more; the Bulldogs have played just three one-run games. They are hitting .338 as team. The staff ERA is 1.42. The team’s fielding percentage is .981 (just nine errors). The expected stars are shining: Adam Frazier is hitting .468, Hunter Renfroe .393 with two homers. Jacob Lindgren is 2-0 with a 0.98 ERA in three starts, and closer Jonathan Holder has three saves and a win in four appearances. A newcomer, California junior college transfer Alex Detz, has jumped into the lineup and hit .429 with 14 RBIs. Granted, State has played only home games and the schedule hasn’t been terribly challenging. But 12-0 is impressive just the same. And the Dogs’ next seven games are also at Dudy Noble Field. It wouldn’t be a big surprise to see them sporting a 19-0 record when they come to Trustmark Park in Pearl to play Southern Miss. Can you imagine what the atmosphere will be like at the TeePee if that is indeed the case? P.S. Former Mississippi Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons went 3-for-5 with two runs to help the Netherlands win its World Baseball Classic opener over Korea. M-Braves alumnus Matt Kennelly caught for Australia in its loss to Chinese Taipei. Former M-Braves pitchers Craig Kimbrel and Tim Collins are on Team USA, which doesn’t play until Friday.