Mississippi
Recap: LSU baseball gets swept by Mississippi State
LSU baseball fell to Mississippi State 13-8 on Sunday afternoon, suffering its third straight sweep and its ninth straight SEC loss.
In a similar fashion to Friday and Saturday, LSU scored three runs in the first inning, this time off a three-run homer by Cade Arrambide. That lead was short-lived, however, as the Bulldogs tied it in the second with a three-run shot from Ace Reese.
Steven Milam hit his seventh home run of the season after the Bulldogs made a pitching change ahead in the third, giving the Tigers a 5-3 lead.
Things were quiet in the fourth inning, but the Bulldogs tied it up in the fifth against Santiago Garcia and Dax Dathe, respectively.
In the top of the sixth, it looked like LSU might go on a run after a triple to right center by Mason Braun sent a runner home, immediately followed by a two-run shot from the red-hot Omar Serna Jr.
Dathe was replaced by Deven Sheerin in the sixth, and Sheerin immediately allowed three runs to tie the game. Jaden Noot replaced Sheerin, then Zion Theophilus replaced Noot after Noot allowed runners to reach second and third. Mississippi State left the sixth inning with a one-run lead, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the contest.
The Tigers tried to bring in a couple more bullpen arms to stifle the Bulldogs’ offense enough for LSU to get back in front, but to no avail. Theophilus, Mavrick Rizy and Reagan Ricken allowed four more runs combined, putting the game out of reach.
FINAL: LSU 8, Mississippi State 13
LSU loses its ninth-straight SEC game and its third series in a row.
END 8: LSU 8, Mississippi State 13
Now a five-run ballgame, the Tigers will need a miracle to have any chance of taking this one. Maddox Webb will replace Davis in the top of the ninth.
Seventh bullpen arm comes on for LSU
Reagan Ricken will replace Rizy after the latter allowed a second run to score in the bottom of the eighth. The Tigers have had eight pitchers make an appearance in this one.
MSU adds another
A solo shot from Mississippi State’s Aidan Teel makes this a four-run ballgame.
MID 8: LSU 8, Mississippi State 11
Another three-up, three-down inning from Ben Davis leaves the Tigers in a precarious spot if they want any shot at avoiding a sweep. Rizy will return to the mound to face Aidan Teel in the bottom of the eighth.
END 7: LSU 8, Mississippi State 11
Unfortunately, Rizy taking the mound didn’t make much of a difference for the Tigers, as he allowed another run. The Bulldogs now lead by three, with Ben Davis coming on to face William Patrick.
Mavrick Rizy comes on for LSU
Theophilus’ day is done after allowing another run, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to two. Mavrick Rizy will face Blake Bevis with a runner on second and two outs.
MID 7: LSU 8, Mississippi State 9
After a three-up, three-down inning from Davis, Theophilus will retake the mound, set to face the Bulldogs’ ninth, first and second hitters in the lineup.
END 6: LSU 8, Mississippi State 9
A four-run inning from MSU gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the day. LSU burned through three pitchers from their bullpen and will likely have to be more careful with any further changes for the rest of this one. Ben Davis will take the mound for the Bulldogs, facing Milam first.
Another pitching change for LSU
Noot allowed a pair of hits that put runners on second and third. Zion Theophilus will take the mound for the Tigers, hoping to get out of the inning without allowing MSU to tack on another run.
Sheerin’s day is done
Jaden Noot is coming on to replace Sheerin after a disastrous inning. LSU is running dangerously short on arms and needs a strong performance from Noot. The Bulldogs have a runner on second with no outs.
Bulldogs tie it up
Sheerin allowed a single to the first Bulldog batter he faced, then struggled to field a ground ball hit his way against the next batter and made a poor throw to first, allowing the two MSU runners to score. Next, with a runner on second, Ace Reese doubled to right-center, sending another Bulldog runner home. The Tigers are tied with MSU at eight runs apiece.
LSU makes a pitching change
Dathe’s day is done after continuing to struggle to find the zone. Deven Sheerin will take the mound with a runner on first and a 2-0 count.
MID 6: LSU 8, Mississippi State 5
The Tigers managed to get to MSU pitcher Dane Burns in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs. Dax Dathe will come back on to try to keep the Tigers’ lead in place in the bottom of the sixth.
Bulldogs make a pitching change
Dane Burns’ day is done after less than an inning of work. Burns allowed two hits and two runs, both earned. The Bulldogs are bringing in Junior RHP Peyton Fowler to try to end the inning without any further damage.
LSU back in front
A triple to right center by Mason Braun sent Ruckert home, giving the Tigers a 6-5 lead. This was immediately followed by a two-run home run by Omar Serna, who has been on fire in this series. The Tigers lead 8-5.
Bulldogs make a pitching change
That will be all for MSU pitcher Jack Gleason, who kept LSU’s offense in check in the fourth and fifth innings. He is being replaced by Sophomore LHP Dane Burns, who will take the mound with a Tiger runner on first and one out.
END 5: LSU 5, Mississippi State 5
Dathe was unable to keep the Bulldogs’ base runner from scoring, but he got LSU out of the inning without any extra damage.
Mississippi State ties it up
A pair of groundouts moved the Bulldogs’ base runner from second to third, then third to home, tying the game. Dathe will now face Drew Wyers with no runners on and two outs.
LSU makes a pitching change
Senior RHP Dax Dathe is coming on to replace Garcia, marking his first appearance in conference play this season. MSU has a runner on second with no outs.
MSU pulls within one
Garcia walked the leadoff batter, then Noah Sullivan doubled down the third base line, sending one Bulldog batter across home plate.
MID 5: LSU 5, Mississippi State 3
Gleason retired all three Tiger batters in quick succession. Garcia will take the mound with little break in the bottom of the fifth.
END 4: LSU 5, Mississippi State 3
It was an up-and-down first inning of work for Garcia, but he ended the inning without giving up any ground to the Bulldogs. Arrambide will lead off for the Tigers in the top of the fifth.
Tigers make a pitching change
Santiago Garcia is replacing Marcos Paz in the bottom of the fourth. Paz allowed two hits, three earned runs, three walks, and struck out two batters through three innings of work.
MID 4: LSU 5, Mississippi State 3
The Bulldogs’ new pitcher started the inning with a leadoff walk, but quickly turned things around, striking out the top of the Tigers’ lineup in succession.
END 3: LSU 5, Mississippi State 3
LSU lost a challenge in the bottom of the third, but Paz managed to extend his start a bit longer and kept the Tigers’ two-run lead in place. The Bulldogs are making another pitching change, bringing on freshman RHP Jack Gleason, who will face Reaves to open the fourth.
MID 3: LSU 5, Mississippi State 3
The Bulldogs’ pitching change didn’t work in their favor in the top of the third, as Milam’s two-run shot gave the Tigers the lead back. Paz is coming back on to face MSU’s Blake Bevis.
Tigers retake the lead
Billingsley walked Arrambide to open the inning, and Milam took advantage, homering down the right-field line. Friday and Saturday’s contests were both shootouts, and this is shaping up to be the same.
END 2: LSU 3, Mississippi State 3
The Bulldogs tied the game on a three-run home run by Ace Reese, his third of the series. Mississippi State is bringing in a new pitcher to open the third, sophomore RHP Chris Billingsley Jr.
Bulldogs tie it up
A three-run homer from Ace Reese ties the game.
MSU in scoring position
A leadoff walk and a single send the Bulldogs back to the top of their lineup with runners on first and second and only one out.
MID 2: LSU 3, Mississippi State 0
It looked like it would be a quick turnaround for Paz after the Tigers’ first two batters flew out and struck out on just five pitches. Braun and Serna managed to give the Tigers’ starter a longer breather, but LSU was unable to add another run.
END 1: LSU 3, Mississippi State 0
LSU was able to overcome a concerning start to the game by Paz, getting out of a bases-loaded situation without allowing a run. Tanner Reaves will take the plate for LSU to open the second.
Paz struggling early
LSU pitcher Marcos Paz is having some control issues in the bottom of the first, issuing two walks, hitting a batter, and moving runners on a wild pitch through five batters. The bases are loaded with two outs.
MID 1: LSU 3, Mississippi State 0
A three-run homer from Cade Arrambide puts the Tigers in a great spot to open the game. LSU had early leads on Friday and Saturday as well, however, so no one should be feeling comfortable just yet.
LSU strikes first
Cade Arrambide snuck a home run inside the right-field foul pole, sending Serna, Braun and himself across home plate. LSU is up three early.
Promising start for the Tigers
Mason Braun opened the game with a leadoff single to center field, and MSU pitcher Charlie Foster hit Omar Serna with the first pitch of the following at-bat. Foster has struggled over the past few weeks, so this is a great chance for the Tigers to take an early lead.
The game is underway
Mason Braun takes a ball on the first pitch, and Sunday’s contest is underway.
LSU baseball vs Mississippi State: Tigers lineup
Here’s a look at LSU baseball’s starting lineup today. Mason Braun leads off and starts at 1B while Omar Serna hits No. 2 and mans the DH spot. Jack Rucker’s, Tanner Reaves, and William Patrick all get starts. Marcos Paz will be LSU’s starting pitcher.
What channel is LSU baseball at Mississippi State on today?
- TV Channel: Streaming only
- Livestream: SEC Network+ via ESPN+
LSU baseball at Mississippi State will be streaming only on SEC Network+, which is available through the ESPN app and ESPN+. Fans will need a subscription to watch the game.
LSU baseball game at Mississippi State time today
- Date: Sunday, April 26
- First pitch: 1:00 p.m. CT
The LSU baseball at Mississippi State game has a first pitch at 1:00 p.m. CT from Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, Miss.
Stream LSU baseball at Mississippi State
LSU baseball at Mississippi State Prediction
LSU Baseball 4, Mississippi State 9: LSU put so much into games one and two and came up short, but I just don’t think LSU has the arms to get it done today. I think Mississippi State gets a comfortable win and sweeps LSU.
LSU Baseball Schedule
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.
Ace Reese transferred to Mississippi State
Reese played at Houston as a freshman in 2024 before transferring to Mississippi State.
Ace Reese hometown
Reese is from Canton, Texas, which is southeast of Dallas, and went to Canton High School.
Mississippi State vs Georgia super regional schedule
- Game 1: Saturday, June 6 (10 a.m. CT, ESPN)
- Game 2: Sunday, June 7 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN)
- Game 3: Monday, June 8 (TBD), if necessary
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi fourth graders have led the nation in gains in reading and math scores, but eighth graders and high schoolers sit near the bottom in certain categories. Lawmakers and educators have drawn up plans to prevent setbacks but need help from parents.
Since 2013, students completing fourth grade have taken Mississippi from 49th and 50th in reading and math scores to ninth and 16th.
“What we see is that students do really well in those earlier grades and then in those pre-teen years, we see some of those grades dip,” State Sen. Nicole Boyd said.
High school scores lag
The biggest drop is with the ACT.
According to ACT.org, in 2024, Mississippi ranked 49th in average scores out of all states and Washington D.C.
Students earned an average of 17.7. Only 17% of test takers met the math and science benchmark and 27% met the reading benchmark.
In total, only 1% of graduates in 2024 statewide took this test.
Eighth graders are also performing below the national average according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, sitting at 41st in reading and 35th in math scores nationally.
“One way that we can change that is provide students opportunities to learn and read things that they’re interested in and not make it punitive,” said Tiffany Cline, director of library services with Jackson Public Schools.
New screening requirements
This upcoming school year, children have more options.
Boyd, who sits on the Education Committee, helped pass a law requiring elementary and middle school students to undergo three math and reading check-ups each year.
The screenings from Senate Bill 2294 place students who fall behind on an individual plan to learn at their own pace with a coach.
“By doing these screeners and really finding out where children are, that will empower parents with more information,” Boyd said. “To really help and assess their kid when they need to have a little bit more support.”
“If we address those issues then, when they get into our upper grades, they are not learning to read; they are reading to learn,” Cline said. “So, now they’re able to comprehend and understand what they’re reading better.”
Summer learning
Summertime can allow children to slip in remembering what they learned last year. Some local students shared how they stay on track for fall.
“We have to read a book for 30 minutes and work on a summer packet for 30 minutes,” Major Marshall said.
“Studying my math problems and making sure I get a good education, get my reading skills up and stuff,” Baleigh Wollfolk said.
“Especially if I practice over the summer, it will be a lot easier to get the work done and understand it more,” Kailee Partee said.
The new tools from state lawmakers will also be available for students taking computer science and personal financial classes in the school years to come in 2027 through 2029.
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