Mississippi
What Mississippi State baseball bullpen is missing heading into Vanderbilt series
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball was tied against Arkansas in the eighth inning or later in both of its losses in the SEC opening series.
The Bulldogs lost on a walk-off home run on March 13 and then 7-3 the next day in the second game of a doubleheader to ultimately lose the series.
No. 6 MSU (17-4, 1-2 SEC) doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses to start coach Brian O’Connor’s first season. All four of its losses before it hosts Vanderbilt (13-9, 2-1) at Dudy Noble Field March 20-22 are against teams ranked in the top 15. Texas A&M is the only other SEC team that hasn’t lost to an unranked opponent.
But if there’s one aspect where Mississippi State could get even better, it’s the bullpen.
“Our starting pitching has been really outstanding,” O’Connor said after MSU’s 17-1 win against Jackson State on March 17. “I’d like to see us be a little bit more consistent in the bullpen and have an understanding of what we’re going to get when we put somebody out there. That’s not a knock on anybody, it just hasn’t shown up yet. Typically, that happens with youth.”
Does Mississippi State baseball have a closer?
There isn’t a strict rule in baseball that a team needs one designated closer, but it’s often preferred. MSU doesn’t seem to have a closer that’s emerged so far.
Ben Davis was the preseason favorite for that role and leads MSU with two saves, but he hasn’t been super sharp. He allowed four runs to UCLA in 3⅓ innings on March 1. The right-handed senior surrendered two runs in two innings in his last appearance against Arkansas to raise his ERA to 5.25.
Three other pitchers have one save each: Maddox Webb, Tyler Pitzer and Brendan Sweeney.
The Bulldogs haven’t had many save opportunities, but more will come in SEC play. They are 15-0 after six innings when leading, but 0-2 when tied.
Mississippi State’s best, worst relief pitchers so far
One of Mississippi State’s best relievers has been a bit of a surprise in Jack Gleason.
After redshirting in 2025, there wasn’t much buzz about the right-hander. He has a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings in 2026. Gleason and Davis are tied for the most innings pitched out of the bullpen.
Left-hander Dane Burns hasn’t allowed a run in nine appearances, but only 5⅓ innings. He threw only one pitch in his last outing, hitting an Arkansas batter and then immediately getting pulled. Burns and Gleason are tied for first on MSU with a 0.75 WHIP.
Webb has a 2.35 ERA, Pitzer a 2.70 ERA and Sweeney at 5.73 ERA.
Mississippi State has eased freshman Parker Rhodes in, but after two no-hit innings against Jackson State, his ERA is down to 1.42 in 6⅓ innings. Rhodes leads the SEC with a .050 opponent batting average.
“He’s a young kid with a really good arm that I think can help us and help maybe solidify that bullpen a little bit,” O’Connor said. “We’ll see.”
Mississippi State has a few pitchers off to slow starts.
Charlie Foster began the season as the third weekend starter but is now in the bullpen. He walked the first three batters he faced in a relief appearance against Jackson State and holds a 5.06 ERA.
Maddox Miller has a 6.23 ERA in 8⅔ innings and one start; Chris Billingsley Jr. has a 6.75 ERA in 6⅔ innings; Jack Bauer, the freshman who can throw 103 mph, has a 22.50 ERA in only two innings and hasn’t pitched since Feb. 28.
How Mississippi State pitching matches up with Vanderbilt
From strictly a numbers standpoint, Vanderbilt will be a tougher challenge for MSU’s pitching than Arkansas was. Though there could be an advantage for MSU playing in front of its home crowd.
The Commodores are seventh in the SEC in runs scored, while Arkansas is 14th. Vanderbilt has crushed the second-most home runs in the conference at 52. The Commodores are also second in slugging percentage at .603, but have the second-most strikeouts in the SEC.
Braden Holcomb is tied for second in the SEC with 11 home runs.
Mississippi State is 10th in the SEC with a 3.69 ERA.
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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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 May 6, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from May 6 drawing
02-05-30-33-35
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from May 6 drawing
Midday: 6-6-3, FB: 6
Evening: 4-6-0, FB: 3
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from May 6 drawing
Midday: 6-7-2-3, FB: 6
Evening: 7-5-1-3, FB: 3
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 6 drawing
Midday: 15
Evening: 14
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.
‘My goal was to be a biologist and be the best one I could be. I try to do the best I can do at whatever I’m doing.’
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Staff
A number of familiar names have shifted into new roles at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and among them is Amy Blaylock who is the first woman to lead the wildlife division.
“I feel honored and blessed,” Blaylock said. “I’m excited.
“I wouldn’t say it was necessarily a goal of mine. My goal was to be a biologist and be the best one I could be. I try to do the best I can do at whatever I’m doing.”
Blaylock joined the department in 2007 after receiving her undergraduate degree in forestry and master’s degree in wildlife science at Mississippi State University. It was an education and career path that came naturally for her.
Her father, Larry Castle, had a career with the agency as did an uncle, Bennie Herring.
“Of course, I love the outdoors and hunting,” Blaylock said. “I hunt as much as I can.
“My kids take up a lot of my time now, but deer hunting is what I do most of. I’ve grown up with the agency with my daddy and my uncle. I guess that encouraged my passion for the agency.”
New role as wildlife chief is not Blaylock’s first groundbreaking move
Blaylock began her career with MDWFP as a biologist with the deer program. She then moved into the role of East Central Region wildlife management area biologist where she oversaw management of 11 WMAs. During that time, she also served as wildlife restoration coordinator and was responsible for writing and managing grants that assisted in funding the Wildlife Bureau.
In 2017, Blaylock accepted an offer to become the assistant chief of the wildlife division. With that, she became the first woman to serve in a top role in the agency.
“I enjoyed being in the assistant chief position, and, so far, I love being in this position,” Blaylock said.
More position changes in MDWFP
Blaylock is not the only person to recently take on a new role at MDWFP. Russ Walsh left the position of chief of the wildlife division, which Blaylock assumed and is now the director of public policy.
Adam Butler also moved into a new position. Butler was previously the director of conservation programs and before that, he was the Wild Turkey Program coordinator. Butler was recently named the assistant chief of wildlife.
A lifelong outdoorsman and wildlife enthusiast, Brian Broom has been writing about hunting, fishing and Mississippi’s outdoors for the Clarion Ledger for more than 14 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
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