But to accomplish that feat the improbable Bulldogs, surprise of the Southeastern Conference, need to continue their success on what pitching coach Russ McNickle calls the "ACC Tour."

They swept two straight games from No. 6 ranked Florida State in the regional. Then they beat Clemson back-to-back in last weekend's super regional, a stark reminder to No. 3 North Carolina to beware of the 'Dogs from Starkville, Miss.

MSU and Carolina meet in a first-round CWS game at 7 p.m. Friday.

Like the comeback Tar Heels, Mississippi State can't be counted out until the final out. The Bulldogs were picked to finish last in the SEC West Division. Then they suffered several key injuries, forcing late-season lineup shuffling.

But here they are.

"We had to battle through things," said McNickle, reflecting on a 38-20 season that has evolved into a special postseason. "We've got a good mixture of veterans and young guys, and it has worked out the last three or four weeks."

Improved, steady pitching and some hefty hitting led by Brandon Turner and Edward Easley, plus the versatility of pitcher-outfielder Mitch Moreland, have been key components.

Turner paces a lineup of seven .300 hitters with a .397 average. Easley, among the three finalists for the Johnny Bench Award presented to the nation's top catcher, has belted a team-high 12 homers while batting .363.

Moreland does it all. He's batting .338 with nine homers, is 3-0 as a relief pitcher and also plays the outfield.

Big league scouts noticed. Easley, Moreland, starting pitcher Josh Johnson and second baseman Jeffrey Rea (.338 hitter) were picked in the recent draft.

"They've got a good offensive lineup from top to bottom,'' Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. "North Carolina has great pitching [and] is very tough mentally. Both teams can make it interesting offensively."

McNickle likes the way his pitchers have progressed after early season uncertainty related to injuries.

"We might not have first- or second-round draft picks, but we've got first- and second-round hearts, guys who will compete,'' he said.

He was referring to a staff that includes starters Chad Crosswhite (8-4, 4.24 ERA), Justin Piggott (7-6, 4.40) and Johnson (3-3, 6.21). Those aren't Cy Young Award stats, but they've been enough, along with a helpful bullpen.

Piggott and reliever Aaron Weatherhead combined on a memorable mound performance to vex Florida State.

"The pitching took a while to get into the roles we needed,'' McNickle said. "Then we started getting consistency."

Bulldogs pitchers will face a dangerous offense against North Carolina, which has history as well as hitters on its side.

Mississippi State and UNC have met six times, all in NCAA tournaments. UNC has won five times.

That's a disappointing trend to Mississippi State's passionate fans, who pack Dudy Noble Stadium and have seen eight Bulldogs teams go to the World Series.

NCAA regional record crowds of 12,620 and 13,715 turned out for the two games against Clemson. And that didn't include several hundred more fans who watched on a JumboTron in the basketball arena.

Many MSU loyalists also pay $150 for a space to park their pickup trucks and trailers beyond the fence, where they cheer and tailgate in an area called the "Leftfield Lounge."

"There's a waiting list [for a space],'' said Joe Dier, assistant director for media relations.

These Bulldogs have given their faithful more to cheer about than anybody expected -- and now they'll be swinging for the fences in Omaha.

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