Two local baseball players from Lincoln and Franklin Counties will get a chance to play in front of a nationwide audience on Saturday as Alcorn State seniors Scottie Peavey and Colton Laird will battle Grambling State at 2 p.m. on the MLB Network Saturday afternoon.

Alcorn State will take part in the MLB Urban Invitational in New Orleans. The Network will spotlight the Braves during the Saturday game and its top players.

Peavey, who finished eighth nationally in batting average last season with a .386, plays right field for the Braves. He is a Brookhaven High product and played his first two college seasons at NW Florida Community College. He is a rated as MLB Draft prospect in SWAC this season by pro scouts.

“I’m looking forward to these games coming up,” said Peavey. “We got to get some wins. Our team needs to build a little momentum.”

Laird, is a pitcher on the Braves staff. He collected a save last week in Alcorn State’s win at Savannah State College in Savannah, Georgia. The Franklin County native throws basically one pitch, a knuckleball he’s been working on for the past three years.

“It’s going to be fun to have MLB Network at our game,” said Laird. “I’m ready to show the nation my knuckleball. I’ve been working hard on throwing it like R.A. Dickey does his.”

Besides Saturday’s national televised game, Alcorn State plays UNO Friday night at 6:10 p.m. and plays Southern University of Baton Rouge Sunday at 1 p.m.

On Tuesday, Feb 24th the Braves travel to Starkville to play Mississippi State at 4 p.m..

Alcorn State will make its home debut in Lorman on Feb 28 against SWAC Champion Jackson State at 11:30 a.m. for a doubleheader.

For Peavey and Laird, the games mark a long journey from Dixie Youth to High School to College.

“We played against each other for so long,” said Laird. “The last two years have been fun playing together. I hope we get a championship ring this season. That’s our goals.”