Missouri
What we learned from Mississippi State baseball’s series sweep vs Missouri State
Watch Mississippi State baseball coach Chris Lemonis preview 2025 season
Watch part of Mississippi State baseball coach Chris Lemonis’ press conference previewing the 2025 season.
This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball swept Missouri State this weekend, but it didn’t mean there was no sweat in the final inning.
The No. 19 Bulldogs (6-1) entered Sunday’s ninth inning leading 6-1 in a combined no-hitter. That was until William Zareh blasted a three-run homer. The Bears (2-4) brought the go-ahead run to the plate, but Virginia transfer Chase Hungate came to the rescue with two game-ending outs for the 6-4 win.
“I know we had a no-hitter into the ninth, but that’s a really good offensive lineup,” MSU coach Chris Lemonis said. “There’s pros inside that lineup. You are going to look up at the end of the year and you’ll probably see Missouri State in a regional like we had last year with Evansville heading to a Super Regional.”
The win meant MSU has swept both of its weekend series to begin the season. Its only loss so far was at Southern Miss on Tuesday, and the 6-1 record is the program’s best since 2019.
Here are three things we learned about Mississippi State from the series.
Mississippi State has depth, but Chris Lemonis isn’t satisfied yet
The Bulldogs scored 18 runs in the series with lots of flex in the lineup. Only five players — Ace Reese, Ross Highfill, Noah Sullivan, Hunter Hines and Bryce Chance — started all three games.
Different players came through in big moments throughout the weekend.
Sullivan, a USC-Upstate transfer, hit a go-ahead RBI double with two outs in the eighth inning on Friday. Reese, a Houston transfer, slashed a triple that drove in three runs the next day. Four players hit home runs on Sunday, when each starter had at least one hit.
“We’re still not maximizing our offensive opportunities, and I think that’s something we got to keep (working on),” Lemonis said. “We’re having, like, a good at-bat, a good at-bat and then a really bad one. You don’t need to have a great one. You just need to have an average one and move the inning along. We’ll get up there and have a couple big hits and then strike out, strike out, which we got to correct.”
Mississippi State still figuring out second base
Mississippi State started three players at second base against Missouri State.
Sawyer Reeves, a transfer from The Citadel, started the first four games of the season but has slumped to 1-for-13 start at the plate. He also committed two costly errors against Southern Miss. The redshirt senior did not start any games this weekend.
Lukas Buckner started at second base on Friday and Saturday and Gehrig Frei in the finale.
Frei committed an error in the first inning of Sunday’s game, the only error by the Bulldogs all weekend, but redeemed himself when he launched a home run on the first pitch in the bottom of the inning.
“I think one thing is we’re all aware that we have great depth, position player-wise,” Frei, a North Alabama transfer, said. “We got guys who can go in there and make an impact right away. It’s a good thing about our ball club.”
Lukas Buckner impressing as a freshman
Buckner didn’t start the first four games of the season but did start at shortstop on Friday and second base on Saturday.
The Knoxville, Tennessee native has been one of the most impressive freshmen on the team.
He pinch-hit on Tuesday at Southern Miss and slapped two of MSU’s hits in the game. Buckner followed it with his first career start on Friday, adding two more hits at shortstop and the leadoff batter. He reached base twice again on Saturday.
“I think the biggest thing is just how composed he is,” Sullivan said of Buckner. “It’s like he’s been here like two, three years already. He knows how to work, he knows how to play and he’s about as good as it gets.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Missouri
BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to $1,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State
You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.
BetMGM Bonus code NYPDM1500 gets bettors a 20 percent first deposit match up to $1500 when in Missouri.
Mizzou is a 22.5-point favorite over Alabama State. The Tigers step back onto its home floor looking to reset after road losses to Notre Dame and Kansas. Alabama State has struggled mightily against high-major opponents.
BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500
The BetMGM Bonus Code NYPDM1500 can be used for any sport and market offered at BetMGM. That includes Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl.
BetMGM’s Missouri promo code is considered one of the highest valued promotions in contrast to other Missouri bonus offers.
If bettors wanted to snag the maximum value of the offer, they would have to deposit $7,500. Otherwise, they get 20 percent of whatever they deposit, i.e., deposit $100, get $20.
New users must be physically present in Missouri when signing up at BetMGM to take advantage of this welcome offer.
How to sign up for BetMGM in Missouri
- Select your bonus offer.
- Choose your state.
- Fill out your login details.
- Enter the BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500
- Make a deposit.
- Bet responsibly.
What our Post expert thinks about Missouri vs. Alabama State
Alabama State has already dropped its two power-conference tests by an average of 32.5 points, and its defensive profile hasn’t suggested much resistance.
The Hornets bring two of the SWAC’s top scorers in Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson, they are giving up 81.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor.
Missouri’s rebounding edge should matter — the Tigers pull nearly 40 boards per game while Alabama State is giving up 37.4 a night and just surrendered 18 offensive rebounds to UT Martin.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. MO Only. New Customer Offer (If applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. Please gamble responsibly.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Road construction on Springfield’s northside is affecting access to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society.
MoDOT is realigning the intersection of Norton and Melville Road as part of the I-44 overpass project. The bridge work and intersection project are both impacting the animal shelter.
The shelter sits on Norton Road just west of where the work is happening. Visitors can only reach the shelter by taking the long way up West Bypass to Westgate Avenue, then onto Norton Road.
MoDOT says the intersection at Norton and Melville is supposed to be closed for two weeks. The bridge project, as a whole, is supposed to be completed by the end of the year.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.
KSHB 41 News anchor Caitlin Knute is interested in hearing from you. Send her an e-mail.
Organizers working to turn back Missouri’s congressional redistricting map spoke Tuesday about collecting signatures to put the effort to a vote by citizens.
People Not Politicians submitted more than 300,000 signatures Tuesday to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office. The signatures hope to force a statewide vote on redistricting approved earlier this year by Missouri politicians.
KSHB 41 anchor Caitlin Knute spoke with one of the volunteers behind the effort.
Volunteer describes collecting signatures for petition on Missouri redistricting
“I think people in rural areas want to follow the Constitution, and I think it was pretty clear this was not done within the parameters of the Constitution,” volunteer Elizabeth Franklin said.
Redistricting typically occurs after a census every 10 years, but that wasn’t the case this year in Missouri. Critics on both sides of the aisle note that it splits Kansas City into three districts, lumping parts of the city in with much more rural areas.
A spokesperson for the Missouri Secretary of State’s office confirmed receipt of 691 boxes of signatures.
“The elections division will proceed with scanning, counting and sorting the sheets for verification by local election authorities,” the spokesperson said.
—
Oilers turn in smart, defensive game and Hyman hat trick for 4-1 win over Detroit: Cult of Hockey Player Grades
San Francisco firefighters to retire uniforms linked to cancer
‘Finish the Fight’: Cancer survivor’s artwork inspires Dallas Stars fans after beating rare blood disease
The old Bucks shine in upset over Boston
Game Thread: Denver Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings. December 11th, 2025. – Denver Stiffs
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Hiker Rescued From Quicksand in Arches National Park
The Speaker’s Lobby: What Congress’ December script means for healthcare next year
Coalition of the Willing calls for transatlantic unity for Ukraine
In a setback for Trump, Indiana lawmakers defeat redistricting plan
House Dem to force Trump impeachment vote on 2 articles
-
Alaska6 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Politics1 week agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
Ohio1 week agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Texas6 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
News1 week agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
World1 week agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Washington3 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa5 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire