Mississippi
Riley Quick, Alabama Pitching Staff Catalysts in Win Over Mississippi State
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Alabama baseball has greatly exceeded expectations by nearly every metric throughout the first half of the season. A team that started the season unranked is up to No. 12 in the polls and comfortably holds a winning record in SEC play. One key concern remains, and that is undeniably the team’s pitching.
Entering Saturday’s game against Mississippi State, Alabama had allowed five or more runs in 13 of its last 14 games, and nine in a row. That trend was put to bed as starter Riley Quick went a season-high 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run in the Crimson Tide’s 4-1 win over the Bulldogs in the series’ second game.
That’s not just about as good as I’ve seen him, that’s as good as I think you can throw the baseball for that amount of time” head coach Rob Vaughn said of Quick’s performance. “Just executed, got the cutter in through fastballs, and was able to land some secondary stuff, and, you know, hitters and manage counts.”
Quick allowed six hits and struck out seven batters (six over the first three innings) in the win. Leadoff batter Gehrig Frei took him yard on the fourth pitch of the game and that was all of the Bulldogs’ offense on the day. He was pulled after allowing a one-out double to Noah Sullivan.
Quick missed time two weekends ago with a blood blister he suffered before the Tennessee series. He was solid in his appearance against Auburn, but this was very likely the best showing of his season and his entire career.
“I don’t really worry,” Quick said during the postgame press conference. “I’m like, ‘Alright, just go get the next guy.’ And that’s kind of my mentality always, just get the next guy, get the next three out. So I did that, and then going five innings, obviously that was fun. Had a good time out there. I felt normal again.”
At this point, Connor Lehman came in and allowed a single to left, putting the Bulldogs on third base for the first time of the afternoon. Vaughn gave the ball to Austin Morris, who grounded it right to Justin Lebron for an inning-ending unassisted double play.
That was all Vaughn required of Morris. Hagan Banks pitched two no-hit innings, allowing just one walk, and just like that, Alabama entered the ninth just one frame away from securing its most dominant pitching performance of SEC play.
It was not smooth sailing. Carson Ozmer gave up a one-out single to Gatlin Sanders to move the leading runner, Steven Spalitta, to second and put the tying run at the plate. Stallman grounded out, advancing both runners, and then Michael O’Brien was called in to pinch hit.
The sophomore is a relatively unknown, having notched just three hits across 15 plate appearances entering the at-bat. With the game hanging in the balance, Ozmer stepped up, forcing a 1-1 popout to short to tie up the series, and, perhaps more importantly, set the tone that this team is capable of producing dominant defensive showings in big games.
“I thought everybody in the pinch did their job,” Vaughn said. “Connor Lehman came in, executes a pitch, and just found kind of that Bermuda triangle out there. And then Austin Morris settles in, gets a ground ball, which is what great guys do. Hagan Banks, two great innings, and Ozmer being the pro that he is there at the end. So just that was the story of the game.”
Alabama has clearly established an identity as a team that can go out and put on an offensive spectacle on any given night. But if performances like this can become commonplace, it may just make the Crimson Tide a true national contender. If Vaughn and company want to make its first College World Series appearance since 1999, the arms will need to be able to consistently produce showings like this one. Saturday may have been the first step along that path.
Following the arguments, students questioned the judges about their careers and the responsibilities of serving on the appellate court.
Alfred Galtney, Alcorn State University compliance officer and a member of the academy’s planning committee, said the experience helped students understand the role law plays in everyday life.
“I hope they’ll get an understanding of how law impacts society and the important role lawyers play in our everyday lives,” Galtney said.
Several students said the event strengthened their interest in legal careers.
Layla Woods, an incoming junior at Franklin County High School, said the program encouraged her to continue pursuing her goals of attending law school. Izzy Turner, who will enter the 10th grade at Franklin County High, said watching the proceedings helped her better understand the seriousness and importance of the legal system. Turner plans to major in psychology before attending law school.
Kavion Curtis Jr., enrolled at Natchez Early College at Co-Lin, said his interest in law stems from a love of debate and courtroom advocacy.
“I’ve always loved courtroom shows and how professional lawyers are,” Curtis said. “I have a passion for debating, and I hope to become an attorney and eventually a judge.”
The Court on the Road program is designed to bring the appellate court process directly to communities across Mississippi while educating students about careers in law and public service.
The Miss-Lou Pre-Law Academy is organized by a committee made up of school counselors, judges and community leaders.
They are Maggie Allgood, Adams County Christian School Counselor; Tennecia Barber, Vidalia High School Counselor; Jennifer Beach, Cathedral High School Counselor; Walt Brown, Adams County Court Judge; Ikeecia Colenburg, Attorney; Penny Daggett, Delta Charter School Counselor; Christina Daugherty, Sixth District ADA; E. Vincent Davis, 17th District Chancery Court Judge; Carmen Drake, Sixth District Circuit Judge; Courtney Fleming, Jefferson County High School Counselor; Alfred Galtney, Alcorn State University Compliance Officer; Aimee Guido, Natchez Inc; Anthony Heidelberg, Attorney; Angela James, Natchez High School Career Coach and Nicole McLaughlin of the Mississippi Bar Association.
Private high schools in Mississippi are receiving an enrollment multiplier for their respective sports teams.
The MHSAA announced on June 2 that it will apply a 1.5 multiplier to private schools enrollment for grades 9-11. The multiplier will go into effect during the 2027-28 sports season, when the MHSAA implements its new reclassification.
The MHSAA board voted on the motion, which passed.
“There’s always been a question of why our state does not have a multiplier from private schools that are in our association,” MHSAA Executive Director Rickey Neaves said in a statement. “So beginning with the next reclassification year, there will be a 1.5 multiplier added to all private schools that are currently in our organization. And to any of those that may be wanting to join our association.”
The change will affect private schools in all classes and will not affect schools for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Private schools around the state currently fluctuate through classes 1A-3A.
“We’re the only state in our section that does not have a multiplier of some kind,” Neaves said. “This was done because private schools, it is perceived, can control what classification they’re in by limiting the number of people that attend there. Also for the competitive and fair play advantage.”
Presbyterian Christian is the most recent private school to switch from MAIS to MHSAA, after making its MHSAA debut in 2025. The Bobcats recently won the MHSAA Class 3A baseball title.
In other sports during the 2025-26 year, Our Lady Academy won a Class 3A volleyball title and has the most MHSAA volleyball championships with 18. St. Stanislaus claimed a 3A boys basketball championship and St. Patrick won the Class I boys and girls soccer titles. Presbyterian Christian also won the 3A boys and girls tennis titles, while Sacred Heart won in Class I.
There are currently 10 private schools in the association.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 2 drawing
05-14-16-33-35
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 3-3-8, FB: 5
Evening: 6-9-5, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 6-0-4-9, FB: 5
Evening: 2-8-1-0, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 08
Evening: 03
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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