Mississippi

What Mississippi State baseball bullpen is missing heading into Vanderbilt series

Published

4 weeks ago

March 19, 2026

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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Mississippi

Dr. Clyde Muse remembered as ‘godfather’ of Mississippi community colleges

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Dr. Clyde Muse remembered as ‘godfather’ of Mississippi community colleges

RAYMOND, Miss. — Dr. Clyde Muse, known as “the godfather” of community colleges in Mississippi, left a legacy that reached students and staff across Hinds Community College’s campuses.

Dr. Clyde Muse is the longest serving community college president in Mississippi history.(Hinds Community College)

Six years ago, Dr. Muse walked out the door for the last time as president of Hinds Community College. Hinds Community College President Dr. Stephen Vacik said he benefited from Dr. Muse’s guidance.

“Essentially what he said to me was, ‘Call me if you need something, call me, but otherwise I’m not going to bother you,’” Dr. Vacik said. “He was always very good about giving space to be me. I really appreciate that, and I hope that I’ve done the same for the people who work with me.”

Dr. Muse’s retirement was known as “Celebrating the Muse Legacy,” something that stretches back generations for alumni like Myra Beard, class of 1984.

“I’m number six of seven kids that went through Hinds with Dr. Muse,” Beard said. “He was so caring about his students.”

“He wanted us to come and trick or treat at his house and we said you’ve got to be kidding, and he said no,” Beard said. “He invited us in to come to a big Halloween Party. He did the same thing at Christmas.”

Dr. Muse’s impact can also be felt in the local workforce. Paige Hataway, a native of Raymond, stayed because Dr. Muse grew Hinds Community College’s nursing program.

“We had a lot of remodeling on the building. It is an older building, but he made sure everything was being worked on,” Hataway said. “And we also had funds and stuff for books. So, he definitely made a difference.”

Dr. Muse’s service will be held at Hinds Community College on Monday at Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; the service begins at 3 p.m.

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Mississippi

4-star RB Christian Alexander commits to Mississippi State to top 2027 class

Published

19 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

4-star RB Christian Alexander commits to Mississippi State to top 2027 class

This story has been updated with new information

Mississippi State football has added its highest-ranked player in its 2027 recruiting class

Class of 2027 running back Christian Alexander committed to coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs on April 16. He announced the news on social media.

Alexander is a four-star recruit in the 2027 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. His commitment is an in-state recruiting win for the Bulldogs. Alexander is from Rosa Fort High School in Tunica County.

He showed his versatility as a junior last season. Alexander used for more than 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns, while also throwing 40 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns according to Max Preps.

Alexander is 5-foot-8, 195-pounds, ranked as the No. 20 running back in the 2027 class, and the No. 10 player in Mississippi. He chose MSU over offers from Colorado, UCF, Cincinnati and Minnesota.

The Bulldogs are up to six commitments in their 2027 class. Alexander is the first four-star player, and the others five players are three-star prospects.

Sam Hutchens covers sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

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Mississippi

Mississippi lawmakers fail to override governor’s vetoes

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi lawmakers fail to override governor’s vetoes

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi lawmakers returned to the State Capitol expecting to override one or more of the governor’s vetoes, but after hours of discussions, many behind closed doors, all vetoes remained in place.

The House voted to override two of Gov. Tate Reeves’ vetoes: one involving opioid settlement money and another for the Gulf Coast Restoration Revolving Loan Program. The Senate was not successful in any of their votes.

“At the end of the day, when you look at the votes – which is what’s the record – then it was Democrats who sustained his vetoes,” said Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Jackson County.

Senate brings one bill to vote

The Senate brought up only one bill for a vote: the attempt to override the partial veto on the opioid settlement money. The House had already voted to override but needed at least a two-thirds vote in the Senate to make it official. The vote failed.

Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons said Democrats did not side with the governor when they cast their nay votes.

“We wanted to take up Senate Bill 2477, the rule of health transformation bill, first…because we did not take that bill up, unfortunately, Democrats were not interested in anything else,” Simmons said.

Governor urged lawmakers not to override rural healthcare veto

Leading up to the session, Reeves urged members not to override the veto on the Rural Healthcare Transformation Program. He said it would jeopardize federal funds.

“I certainly think it made a difference. And look, you know, if you’re a governor, you’re gonna do that. It’s your veto. You don’t want it to be overridden,” Wiggins said.

Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-House Public Health Chairman, said the House was prepared to vote to override. The language in the Senate bill was theirs, and they believed it was an oversight to ensure funds ended up in the most impactful locations.

“I truly believe they had the votes. For whatever reason, politically or whatever, it did not come up,” Creekmore said.

The lack of action from the legislature will not prevent funds from coming into the state.

The Senate also brought forward one resolution the House had already passed earlier in the afternoon. It would have helped in getting a repealer placed on a youth court bill. That vote failed in the Senate.

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