WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Dole, the world’s largest banana provider, has made its pick in the College World Series — the banana-loving Mississippi State Bulldogs.

“While we’re all familiar with the California Angels’ Rally Monkey, this is the first we’ve heard of a Rally Banana,” said Bil Goldfield, director of communications for Dole Food Company, said in a news release Friday. “In addition to being fun for players and fans, bananas have been shown to help athletes recover faster after peak performance than sports drinks and other foods — so there is science behind our pick, too.”

Mississippi State freshman infielder Jordan Westburg is credited with starting the “Rally Banana” craze during a game on June 3 when he placed a half-eaten banana on his head for good luck.

The Rally Banana has since become a secondary mascot for the Bulldogs as they’ve advanced to the CWS. They’ll play Washington in the opener of the double-elimination tournament Saturday night in Omaha, Neb.

Dole has had a presence in Mississippi at the Port of Gulfport for more than 50 years.