Mississippi
What we learned of Mississippi State baseball, Hunter Hines in Astros Foundation College Classic
Mississippi State baseball came away with only one win this weekend in the Astros Foundation College Classic.
The No. 16 Bulldogs (7-4) crushed Rice on Friday in a run-rule win but lost to Arizona on Saturday and No. 25 Oklahoma State on Sunday. The two losses came by a combined three runs.
Here’s what we learned about Mississippi State.
Mississippi State is losing to its best opponents
Mississippi State has seven wins this season, but they’ve all been against its easiest opponents. MSU swept series vs. Manhattan and Missouri State and got its seventh win against Rice. All three of those teams are below .500 and have a combined record of 10-20.
All four of the Bulldogs’ losses are to teams above .500: Southern Miss, Troy, Arizona and Oklahoma State.
MSU has another tough challenge this week hosting No. 23 Southern Miss (9-3) on Tuesday (4 p.m., SEC Network+). The Golden Eagles won two of three games this weekend at No. 22 TCU.
Hunter Hines benched by Mississippi State
Senior first baseman Hunter Hines played in the first two games of the weekend. He’s started in 180 of 183 games in his Mississippi State career.
Hines has been a plus defender this season but has struggled at the plate. It bottomed out Tuesday, when he left nine runners on base in the loss to Troy.
North Alabama transfer Gehrig Frei started at first base against Rice and Campbell transfer Reed Stallman started versus Arizona.
Hines, who’s fourth in program history with 56 home runs, returned to the lineup Sunday but went 0-for-4. He’s now batting .200 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Does Mississippi State need to adjust its starting pitching rotation?
Pico Kohn had another strong start against Rice, allowing three runs in 6⅓ innings. There’s no need to alter what he’s brought this season.
However, Karson Ligon and Stone Simmons both struggled in their starts this weekend. Ligon lasted only two innings, allowing five runs, one of them unearned, to Arizona. His ERA is now 7.36. Simmons was roughed up for six runs in 2⅔ innings by Oklahoma State, though three of them were unearned.
If Mississippi State were to change its weekend rotation, Indiana State transfer Jacob Pruitt could be an option. Pruitt did not have a good debut, allowing three runs in one relief inning against Manhattan. But he started Tuesday against Troy in his next appearance and threw four brilliant innings with nine strikeouts and no walks. The Trojans’ only hit was a solo home run.
Ace Reese beginning to break out
A return to where Ace Reese starred as a freshman last season may have been just what he needed.
The starting third baseman had a slow start to the season at the plate, but played his best series this weekend. Across the three games, Reese batted 6-for-12 with three home runs, six RBIs, four runs and one walk.
Reese was on the All-Big 12 Freshman Team last season at Houston, the same city where the showcase was played.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
STARKVILLE — Four-star safety Kennedy Green recommitted to Mississippi State football on July 11.
The Douglasville, Georgia, native chose the Bulldogs over offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Nebraska, Auburn and more. He originally committed to MSU in November 2024 but backed off his commitment in June 2025.
He is ranked No. 373 nationally by the 247Sports Composite and as the No. 32 safety and No. 40 player in Georgia.
Green, who’s 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, is MSU’s fourth four-star in the 2027 recruiting class joining running backs Yoshawn Hudson and Christian Alexander and defensive lineman Jaden Bayonne.
Mississippi State’s recruiting class was ranked No. 52 nationally and last in the SEC before Green’s commitment.
Green recorded 56 tackles last season with two interceptions.
The Bulldogs have three other safeties in the class, both of whom are three-stars: Trae’kerrion Collins, Hudson Fuqua and Ke’Vontae Pitts.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
STARKVILLE — The 2026 MLB Draft has arrived, and Mississippi State baseball is expected to have players picked.
Ace Reese, MSU’s star third baseman for the last two seasons, is a projected first-round pick. Many of the Bulldogs’ signees in the 2026 recruiting class are also draft prospects. How the draft unfolds will determine if they make it to Mississippi State next season like Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker did.
The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) in Philadelphia with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are on July 12 (10:30 a.m., MLB.com).
The Clarion Ledger is keeping track of all the Mississippi State draft picks, including signees and transfers.
Mississippi State baseball players picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball signees picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
Mississippi State baseball transfers picked in 2026 MLB Draft
This section will be updated.
When does the MLB draft start today?
The MLB draft begins July 11 at noon CT with Rounds 1-4. Rounds 5-20 are July 12 starting at 10:30 a.m. CT.
How to watch the 2026 MLB Draft
July 11
- Picks 1-10: NBC/Peacock
- Picks 11-40: MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
- Picks 41-135: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
July 12
- Rounds 5-20: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
Where is the 2026 MLB Draft?
The 2026 MLB Draft is in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from July 10 drawing
06-11-13-18-26
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 8-0-9, FB: 3
Evening: 2-3-1, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 9-0-5-0, FB: 3
Evening: 9-1-6-6, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 10 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 10
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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