Mississippi

Why new Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connor wanted dirt batter’s box instead of turf

Published

3 months ago

January 28, 2026

Why new Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connor wanted dirt batter’s box instead of turf

STARKVILLE — The playing surface at Charles Schwab Field is dirt where Mississippi State baseball hopes to be playing in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

So, if that stadium has dirt, why shouldn’t MSU’s Dudy Noble Field?

That was part of the thought process for new Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connor as changes were made to the playing surface.

New for the 2026 season is a dirt batter’s box and dirt basepaths leading to first and third base. Previously, they were turf.

Foul territory and the warning track will remain turf but it has been replaced. The rest of the field is dirt and grass.

“I get why it was turf,” O’Connor told The Clarion Ledger on Jan. 21. “You get rain, it’s better off being turf. But where the national championship is played, your spikes digging into the batter’s box are in dirt.”

O’Connor said it wasn’t solely his decision, but a collective one with administration and the grounds crew. There were already plans to get new turf for foul territory and the warning track before O’Connor was hired in June.

The new dirt and turf were installed after fall practices and ahead of opening day when Mississippi State hosts Hofstra on Feb. 13.

“I do like that,” O’Connor said. “That said, it wasn’t that big of a deal to me. But there were some things going on actually with the playing surface that by going to dirt base paths helped.”

The logos in foul territory have also been changed. The banner M logos adjacent to first and third base are gone. The Mississippi State baseball M over S logo is now behind home plate.

Mississippi State had turf in the batter’s box since 2014.

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

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for April 19, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for April 19, 2026

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

01-07-11-30-34

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 7-4-6, FB: 5

Evening: 3-3-0, FB: 8

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 3-4-8-9, FB: 5

Evening: 6-2-0-4, FB: 8

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 10

Evening: 08

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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