Mississippi

How Jacob Parker reacted to striking out after nearly saving Mississippi State season

Published

2 hours ago

June 7, 2026

How Jacob Parker reacted to striking out after nearly saving Mississippi State season

ATHENS, GA — Jacob Parker made a big decision one summer ago to turn down the MLB draft and instead play for Mississippi State baseball.

Fast forward 11 months, and the Bulldogs’ season hinged on the freshman’s bat, the same one that had them leading in the ninth inning against Georgia in Game 2 of the Athens Super Regional on June 7.

In the 10th inning, a three-run home run, a third homer in his last three at-bats, would’ve been a walk-off for No. 14 MSU to force a Game 3 against No. 3 Georgia.

Instead, he struck out swinging with two runners on to end the game. Georgia players rushed the field and dogpiled after clinching an 11-9 win and a trip to the College World Series. Mississippi State’s season, the first under coach Brian O’Connor, ended.

That’s how a breakout game and the postseason ended for Parker, an outfielder and Purvis native who wasn’t even an everyday starter for Mississippi State (43-19) to begin the season.

“I’m proud of this guy, “O’Connor said as he put his hand on Parker’s shoulder at the postgame press conference. “I know he hurts because the game ends with his at-bat, but we wouldn’t be where we’re at without him and his teammates’ contributions.”

Four of Parker’s six at-bats in Game 2 against Georgia (51-12) were pivotal.

It started with a checked swing in the first inning that was called as an inning-ending strike by the third base umpire. O’Connor jumped out of the dugout screaming in disagreement with the call.

Mississippi State fell behind 7-2 but went ahead 9-8 by the ninth inning because of Parker.

He hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, the third of three straight MSU homers that cut Georgia’s lead to 8-7. Then in the eighth inning, Parker crushed a go-ahead two-run home run to make it 9-8 Mississippi State. Both home runs were over 430 feet.

MSU had runners at first and second base for Parker’s at-bat in the 10th inning.

“I’ve already won in life,” Parker said. “I have Jesus Christ in my life. I really didn’t care what happened. Obviously, I wanted to win, but I walked up to the plate that knowing win or lose, I’ve won in life. I think that’s what’s special and that’s what this program is about.

“It’s not about wins or losses. It’s about how these guys can turn us into better men. From the second I stepped foot on campus, I’ve completely changed into a better man, and I can’t thank these guys enough.”

It was the second two-home run game of the postseason for Parker after he also did it in the regional final against Louisiana. Parker finished the super regional 3-for-9 with two home runs, four RBIs, four runs and three walks.

Parker, who won the Most Outstanding Player award for the Starkville Regional, finished his freshman season with a .339 batting average, 18 home runs, 62 RBIs and 51 runs in 53 games and 44 starts.

He was named one of five finalists for Baseball America’s freshman of the year award. Parker said he hasn’t done it alone.

“I can name so many guys, but one in particular is Aidan Teel,” Parker said. “I don’t know if you guys know, but this fall I was terrible. That guy, he literally put everything down and helped me. He wasn’t playing toward the end of the year and I was. He helped me become who I am, and I can’t thank those guys enough.”

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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Mississippi

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner discusses homeowners insurance, mitigation program

Published

12 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner discusses homeowners insurance, mitigation program

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) — Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney discussed homeowners’ insurance rates, roof-strengthening grants, health insurance options, and his plans for the 2027 election.

Insurance rates

Chaney said homeowners on the Gulf Coast will likely see stable insurance rates in 2027 with minimal increases.

The windpool, the insurer of last resort for wind and hail, will offer a policy allowing homeowners to choose their coverage amount, providing more flexibility for consumers.

“The reason they’re doing that is that rates have gone up around the United States. It’s not just Mississippi, and they’re exorbitant and out of sight,” Chaney said. “So we’re looking at ways to help the consumer out.

Homeowners can contact their insurance agent to discuss coverage options.

Roof mitigation program

The roof mitigation program has generated significant interest.

The program will provide homeowners up to $10,000 to reinforce their roofs, with homeowners responsible for contributing financially if the total cost exceeds $10,000.

“Mitigation is real simple. If you qualify and you have a home that’s in fairly decent repair and you’ve got a bad roof on it, we can go in and put a roof that meets IBHS standards,” Chaney said.

The insurance commissioner said roofing contractors will not be paid unless the house meets code and passes inspection standards.

The program will mitigate between 200 and 300 houses between July 1 and January 1, then expand to full capacity.

“Then we’ll go full steam. We’ll put $15 million a year into the program. So somewhere between 1,000 to 1,500 houses a year,” Chaney said.

Chaney said it will take a couple of years for Mississippi to reach the necessary mitigation standards.

Homeowners will be able to register online, and participants will be selected through a lottery system.

Health insurance program

About 400,000 people in Missisisppi do not have health insurance, according to Chaney.

He is promoting a private exchange program that will provide short-term health insurance coverage beginning January 1.

Policies will be valid for six months and cost less than $500 per month, according to Chaney.

The insurance commissioner said individuals with conditions requiring expensive treatments may not qualify and can seek coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

“That just simply says, if you’ve got cancer and you need a million-dollar drug, we’re probably not going to write you. And there’s a reason for that. You can go to the ACA and get that coverage,” Chaney said.

He added that insurance companies will fund the program through premiums, with no tax dollars involved.

2027 election

Chaney will likely be on the ballot for the state election next year.

“My name will probably be on the ballot. My deputy commissioner has agreed to run if something happens,” Chaney said.

The insurance commissioner’s office regulates the state’s insurance industry, protects consumers, and investigates fraud.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 6, 2026

Published

23 hours ago

June 6, 2026

Press Room

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 6 drawing

04-14-18-22-24

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 6 drawing

Midday: 8-7-5, FB: 9

Evening: 3-2-2, FB: 3

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 6 drawing

Midday: 9-7-6-0, FB: 9

Evening: 0-7-1-7, FB: 3

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 6 drawing

Midday: 11

Evening: 13

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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How Mississippi State baseball star Ace Reese got his name

Published

1 day ago

June 6, 2026

Press Room

How Mississippi State baseball star Ace Reese got his name

Mississippi State baseball’s Ace Reese crushes opponent’s ace pitchers, but that’s not exactly why he got that first name.

Reese is the Bulldogs’ star third baseman and a top prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft.

He’s in his second season at MSU, which is facing Georgia in the Athens Super Regional starting on June 6 (10 a.m. CT, ESPN). The winner will go to the College World Series, where MSU hasn’t been since the 2021 national championship.

Here’s what to know about Reese, including the story of his first name.

Ace Reese name

Reese’s parents named him Ace because they thought he’d be a star pitcher. They were correct that Reese would be a star baseball player, but just at a different position.

“I didn’t know, right?” Aaron Reese told The Clarion Ledger last season. “We prayed about it a lot and you have confidence and faith and know that you’re going to get going in the right direction. At that moment, that was the direction we were being led.”

Ace Reese stats

Reese is batting .328 with 22 home runs, 72 RBIs and 69 runs. He leads the team in home runs, RBIs and runs.

Reese joined Mississippi State legends Rafael Palmeiro and Will Clark this season as the only players in program history with consecutive 20-home run seasons.

Reese is a two-time All-SEC first-team selection and the 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year.

In his two Mississippi State seasons, Reese is batting .337 with 43 home runs, 136 RBIs and 125 runs. His .707 career slugging percentage at MSU is on pace to be the third-highest in program history behind only Clark and Palmeiro.

Ace Reese MLB draft projections

Reese is ranked as the No. 21 prospect by the MLB for the 2026 draft. Mississippi State hasn’t had a batter drafted in the first round since Justin Foscue in 2020.

Reese spent last summer playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team with players like Roch Cholowsky, UCLA’s star who’s projected to be the No. 1 pick.