Mississippi
What we learned from Mississippi State baseball’s dominant series sweep vs Manhattan
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.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball never trailed more than one inning in its 2025 season-opening series.
The No. 19 Bulldogs (3-0) pounded Manhattan (0-3) for a three-game sweep at Dudy Noble Field over the weekend. The first two wins on Friday were by run-rule in an opening day doubleheader. Game 1 was a 17-3 decision, while Game 2 finished at 13-1. MSU took Sunday’s finale 5-1.
It’s Mississippi State’s first 3-0 start to a season since 2020.
“Really pleased,” coach Chris Lemonis said. “Lot of work left to do, obviously, and a long road ahead of us, but we played good defense all weekend. We threw a ton of strikes.”
Here’s what we learned from the series sweep.
Chris Lemonis proud of Mississippi State defense
Lemonis said before the season there was still plenty he wouldn’t learn about Mississippi State until the games were played. On Sunday, he pointed to MSU’s defense as one of his impressions.
The Bulldogs only committed one error in the three games. It came in Game 2 when Ross Highfill, who’s more experienced as a catcher, mishandled a ball in right field.
Lemonis singled out a strong play by shortstop Dylan Cupp that ended Sunday’s game.
“The play to end the game, that’s a special, special play,” he said. “A lot of guys don’t make that play.”
Stone Simmons sharp in first game since 2022
Lemonis admitted he was emotional as Stone Simmons took the mound Sunday for the first time since 2022 after Tommy John surgery. Simmons said he was emotional too.
Simmons threw three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, two walks with five strikeouts. Four of the five strikeouts came consecutively across the second and third innings.
“It was great,” he said. “It took me a little while to settle in, to be honest with you. For the first half of the first inning, I was a little juiced up.”
Simmons has been on Mississippi State since 2021 after a freshman season at Furman.
He ended the first inning Sunday picking off a Manhattan player at first base.
“I think that may have been my first collegiate pick off,” Simmons said. “It took me six years, so that was pretty great.”
Simmons threw 50 pitches, which Lemonis said was about the target because of the cold weather. It was 40 degrees at first pitch at Dudy Noble Field.
Pico Kohn picked up where he left off
It was clear right away that Pico Kohn was sharp in Friday’s Game 1 start. He struck out the first Manhattan batter of the game in three pitches, then also struck out the next two Jaspers.
The senior never found trouble during his start, only allowing one base runner from a single in five scoreless innings. His 11 strikeouts were a career-high.
“I felt good,” Kohn said. “Just being in control of my body, I’ve been working a lot with (assistant coach Justin) Parker on slowing down and not trying to do too much. I feel like I did that well today.”
Kohn only made eight starts last season but had his best in his final appearance when he allowed two earned runs in seven innings in a NCAA tournament regional final loss to Virginia.
Aaron Downs leads Mississippi State’s bats
Aaron Downs didn’t start Game 1 but still had one of the most productive offensive weekends on the team.
The senior outfielder had seven RBI in two games on Friday, including a pinch-hit three-run home run. In Game 2, Downs batted two-of-three with four RBI. He didn’t have an RBI on Sunday, but scored a run, drew a walk and stole two bases.
Downs had just 12 career RBI entering the season. He ended the weekend with a .571 batting average and 1.556 OPS.
“He’s probably the most loved kid in our program from teammates to the people in the community,” Lemonis said. “He’s had a good career in ways but hadn’t had that big year yet. Sometimes that senior does. No better guy to get it from, because he’s super talented.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
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NEWTON, Miss. (WTOK) – Friends, family, and comrades braved stormy conditions this morning, for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
While the crowd wasn’t large, the message was clear.
All gave some, some gave all, and today is the day to recognize those who have done just that.
“We didn’t have a large crowd compared to previous years. We anticipated that, but those who showed up, we wanted to make sure that we did what we could to honor America’s best. You know, when you talk about the weather and how it can affect people getting out, we understand that, but at the Mississippi VA, we also understand those folks that made the ultimate sacrifice didn’t have the luxury of sunny days every day,” said Ray Coleman with Mississippi Veterans Affairs.
“They did what they had to do, gave up their lives in the name of freedom, and so on Memorial Day, we honor that. No matter the weather, rain, sleet, hail, we’re going to be here to make sure that those family members and the fallen understand that we respect them, we honor them, and we appreciate what they did for our great nation.”
Over 12 hundred American heroes rest in the cemetery, each one of them remembered today by family, comrades, and those who came to show their respect.
“I think it’s important for us to remember that this day is not a day of recreation, but a day of somber reflection where we come together and remember that our freedoms are not free. I’m proud to be an American, and it’s been great to celebrate with everyone here today in Newton,” said Justice Jenifer Branning with the Mississippi Supreme Court.
“While you are barbecuing and grilling and while you are hanging out with one another, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Remember those family members who lost their loved ones. This holiday is a solemn one for them. So while you’re celebrating, take a moment, as Justice Branning said, to slow down and honor those who made that ultimate sacrifice, and remember their families. You might know some personally, believe it or not, that lives in your community. Remember to honor them as well on this very special day,” said Coleman.
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Samantha Ricketts credits Mississippi State’s ‘grit’ for rally vs OU softball in Game 1
OU softball alum and Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts talks about the Bulldogs’ 11-9 comeback win Friday in Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional.
Mississippi State softball’s NCAA Tournament super regional against Oklahoma was a David vs. Goliath scenario.
The Bulldogs were on the hunt for their first Women’s College World Series appearance. The No. 3 Sooners were looking for their 10th straight.
Few expected Mississippi State (43-19) to even win a game in the best-of-three series, let alone eliminate Oklahoma (52-10) from the tournament on its home field.
But that’s exactly what happened when the Bulldogs beat the Sooners 6-0 in Game 3 at Love’s Field on May 24, advancing to the WCWS for the first time.
They’ll face No. 11 seed Texas Tech (57-7) on May 28 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN) at Devon Park in Oklahoma City in the first round of the double-elimination tournament.
“An underdog is still a frickin dog,” pitcher Delainey Everett said in a TV interview after pitching a three-hit shutout. “We knew it. We were on the bus. Oh my gosh. Everything that we worked for came through today and we ain’t done yet.”
By encouraging her team to lean into the underdog mentality, coach Samantha Ricketts created an environment in which MSU could play “loose (and) free” in the game that could have been its final one of the season.
“A big message today was just staying present in the moment and understanding that this is a situation that it’s not life or death,” Ricketts said. “At the end of the day, it’s softball, and we’re going to go out there and give it everything we’ve got and have fun.”
This messaging helped to keep the players settled even when the crowd’s cheers grew in volume in support of the Sooners.
After losing 7-1 in Game 2, Mississippi State recorded nine hits, including two home runs, in Game 3 and struck out just once. The Bulldogs scored their first run in the first inning and never let up offensively.
“We definitely embraced it,” said Kinley Keller, who had two hits and three RBIs. “And I think just staying grounded is a big thing for us, and we knew we were going to punch them first and just play what we know we can play.”
For MSU and Ricketts, it didn’t matter that most of the crowd and the fans at home were not expecting them to knock off the eight-time national champions. All they needed was each other.
“Just so proud of this group,” Ricketts said. “When nobody believed in us, they believed in themselves and in each other. It was the 25 in the dugout and the parents over in the stands.”
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
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