Mississippi
Why new coach Brian O’Connor embraces Mississippi State baseball’s lofty preseason rankings: ‘Bring it on’
STARKVILLE — If you attended a Mississippi State baseball fall scrimmage at Dudy Noble Field, you likely did so with a couple hundred fans.
That’s the standard for Mississippi State fans who love their baseball. Even the October exhibition in Pensacola, Florida, against Florida State was played in front of a sellout crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
For new Bulldogs coach Brian O’Connor, hired in June after 22 seasons at Virginia, it wasn’t a surprise, but it was a different experience.
“It’s part of what makes Mississippi State baseball so special is the passion with everybody involved,” O’Connor said Jan. 21 in an exclusive interview with the Clarion Ledger. “I fully anticipated that it would be that way. I think it’s great that people care so much and are so into it.”
Those fans were eager to get a first-hand look at MSU in what’s perhaps the most highly anticipated season in program history.
O’Connor spoke in a nearly 30-minute interview to about Mississippi State’s 2026 season. The interview was conducted three weeks before opening day when Mississippi State hosts Hofstra on Feb. 13.
O’Connor addressed what a successful first season would be, how the Bulldogs view their high rankings in the preseason polls and what questions still remain with the team.
What Brian O’Connor said about Mississippi State preseason rankings
Previous coach Chris Lemonis was clear with his goal for 2025. Mississippi State needed to host a regional in order to get back to the College World Series. Lemonis was fired in April before a late-season surge got the Bulldogs in the NCAA tournament, but not as a hosting seed.
O’Connor said he does not project what a tangible level of success is for Mississippi State in 2026, whether that’s hosting a regional or making it to the CWS.
“I don’t ever set out in a season to say, ‘If we don’t make Omaha, then it’s an unsuccessful season,’” O’Connor said. “… I have never and will not here focus on the end. Winning and those kind of accomplishments and those kind of opportunities are a byproduct of how they work, our team culture and do they stay together during challenging times?”
Outside expectations are that Mississippi State will be one of the top teams in the nation given the talent on the roster. Preseason polls from D1Baseball, Baseball America and Perfect Game all have the Bulldogs in the top six.
The Bulldogs haven’t hosted a postseason game at Dudy Noble Field since 2021 when they won the national championship.
“We ain’t ever going to shy away from that,” O’Connor said of the preseason polls. “Bring it on. That’s how we feel.
“That said, it’s noise. I share with our entire program that there’s going to be distractions and noise all the time when you play in a program like this. Manage it.”
Brian O’Connor’s biggest unanswered questions for Mississippi State baseball
It’s a challenging exercise to project who will be Mississippi State’s starters because of the influx of talent on the roster.
MSU returns five of its top seven batters in terms of 2025 OPS: Ace Reese, Noah Sullivan, Gehrig Frei, Bryce Chance and Gatlin Sanders. Reese, the third baseman, was named a preseason All-American by D1Baseball and Perfect Game.
Joining those returners are some of Virginia’s best players like outfielder Aidan Teel and pitcher Tomas Valincius, plus 24 other newcomers, including freshmen such as Jacob Parker and Jack Bauer.
O’Connor said figuring out the best starting lineup is a question that still remains. He specifically pointed to catcher, shortstop and starting pitcher because of lack of SEC playing experience at those positions.
Only 147 innings pitched out of 496⅔ returned in 2026.
“You’re talking about roles, catcher, shortstop and starting pitching, that they just haven’t done it under the bright lights on the weekend yet,” O’Connor said. “You don’t know. You see talent, but we all know that there’s always been guys that have talent and then the lights come on.
“That said, I believe in this team and how it’s being built that they will be ready to fill those roles and do the job because I believe that this team is starving. A lot of people say hungry, but there’s a difference between hungry and starving. I’m exited to see them come together and grow and become a great ball club.”
Some of those lineup decisions could linger into the start of the season. MSU’s first two series are against Hofstra and Delaware before the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series in Arlington, Texas, against Arizona State, Virginia Tech and UCLA.
“As you move through the first two weekends, you have options, right?” O’Connor said. “Who can you bring off the bench in certain roles? Who are the guys that you’re going to count on coming out of the bullpen in certain situations? There’s still a lot to figure out, but it’s starting to take shape. I’m excited about that. I’m excited about, as the leader, making those decisions.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball signee Landon Brown will play for the Bulldogs instead of signing a pro contract, he told the Clarion Ledger on July 12 during the 2026 MLB Draft.
Brown, a right-handed pitcher from Rosharon, Texas, was ranked as the No. 77 prospect by MLB.com. He pitched and played corner infield for Iowa Colony while winning Brazoria County Player of the Year.
He won’t be eligible again for the MLB draft until 2029.
Brown is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He has a fastball that reaches 98 mph as part of a four-pitch mix. He also throws a slider, cutter and splitter.
Brown committed to Mississippi State in 2024 under previous coach Chris Lemonis.
He is the third high school draft prospect to reveal he will play for MSU instead of signing a pro contract. Shortstop Noah Danza withdrew from the MLB draft before it began, and pitcher Denton Lord announced after the fifth round that he was heading to Mississippi State.
Three Mississippi State signees were drafted in the first 10 rounds: shortstop Rocco Maniscalco, catcher Will Brick and outfielder Martin Shelar.
Landon Brown stats
- 66⅔ innings
- 0.63 ERA
- 110 strikeouts
- 13 walks
- .424 batting average
- 13 home runs
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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 July 11, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from July 11 drawing
08-09-21-28-30
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 11 drawing
Midday: 8-3-9, FB: 2
Evening: 7-9-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 11 drawing
Midday: 7-3-0-4, FB: 2
Evening: 1-3-6-0, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 11 drawing
Midday: 14
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.
STARKVILLE — Four-star safety Kennedy Green recommitted to Mississippi State football on July 11.
The Douglasville, Georgia, native chose the Bulldogs over offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Nebraska, Auburn and more. He originally committed to MSU in November 2024 but backed off his commitment in June 2025.
He is ranked No. 373 nationally by the 247Sports Composite and as the No. 32 safety and No. 40 player in Georgia.
Green, who’s 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, is MSU’s fourth four-star in the 2027 recruiting class joining running backs Yoshawn Hudson and Christian Alexander and defensive lineman Jaden Bayonne.
Mississippi State’s recruiting class was ranked No. 52 nationally and last in the SEC before Green’s commitment.
Green recorded 56 tackles last season with two interceptions.
The Bulldogs have three other safeties in the class, both of whom are three-stars: Trae’kerrion Collins, Hudson Fuqua and Ke’Vontae Pitts.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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