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College baseball begins Friday with high expectations

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Play Ball! College baseball begins Friday with high expectations

Mississippi State All American Landon Sims receives congratulations after saving a game in 2021. (Photo By Sarah Triplett)

It’s time to do what Mississippians do best when it comes to college sports. That is, play ball. Baseball.

Defending national champion Mississippi State, NCAA regional champ Ole Miss, and perennial NCAA Tournament participant Southern Miss all begin their seasons Friday with home weekend series. To say the least, expectations are high.

Mississippi State, ranked highly in most preseason polls including No. 4 by D1Baseball, will play host to West Coast baseball powerhouse Long Beach State, ranked No. 24 in the same poll. The Bulldogs and Dirtbags will play single games at 2 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

At Oxford, Charleston Southern (18-26 last season) of the Big South Conference will visit for single games Friday (4 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (2:30 p.m.).

At Hattiesburg, Southern Miss will play North Alabama (7-40 in 2021) for single games Friday (4 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).

The 2021 college baseball season ended with State’s All American closer Landon Sims getting the last out in the Bulldogs’ 9-0 championship victory over Vanderbilt in the College World Series at Omaha. State’s 2022 season will open with Sims on the mound at Dudy Noble, shifting roles from lock-down closer to Friday night starter. Sims, who saved so many of All American Will Bednar’s victories last season, will inherit Bednar’s role of front-line starter. 

The Bulldogs will be face a difficult foe. Long Beach won 15 of its last 17 games a year ago and features one of the nation’s best closers of its own. Sophomore Devereaux Harrison finished with a 3-1 record and a team-leading 10 saves last season. He struck out 42 batters in 34 innings and opponents hit just .175 against him.

At Oxford, Ole Miss returns its everyday lineup virtually in tact from a team that hit .288 with 85 home runs in 67 games. Rebel returners include shortstop Jacob Gonzalez who hit a team-leading .355 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI. Also back is first baseman Tim Elko, who gained almost legendary status in Ole Miss baseball annals last season when he played the last couple months with a torn ACL and still led the team with 16 home runs. Kevin Graham (.342, 14 HR, 54 RBI) also returns. 

This weekend’s series will mark the return of former Ole Miss player and assistant coach Marc MacMillan, who begins his second season as Charleston Southern’s head coach.

Southern Miss must replace two of the most productive starting pitchers in school history in Walker Powell and Hunter Stanley — and left-handed relief ace Ryan Och. But Scott Berry returns a deep pitching staff of strong arms and welcomes back most of a batting lineup that hit .275 with 83 home runs to help the Golden Eagles finish second in the Oxford Regional.

Southern Miss apparently will be competing for the last season in Conference USA and the Eagles are the coaches’ preseason pick to win the league.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Two men face two separate burglary charges in Tupelo

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www.wcbi.com – Eric Lampkin – 2024-11-18 16:44:00

SUMMARY: In Tupelo, Mississippi, two men have been arrested for separate burglary incidents, aided by video surveillance. On November 10, Preston Stokes was charged with burglary after a homeowner reported a break-in, providing police with video evidence. His bond is set at $30,000. Three days later, Caelen Triplett was arrested for breaking into the Express Shop; he was charged with commercial burglary, with a bond of $5,000. Law enforcement emphasizes that strong security systems significantly aid in solving such crimes, highlighting their importance for residents and businesses.

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Mississippi News

More discussion on the rise for Medicaid expansion in Mississippi

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www.wcbi.com – Eric Lampkin – 2024-11-18 16:08:00

SUMMARY: In Mississippi, hopes for Medicaid expansion persist for the next legislative session, despite previous failures to reach an agreement this year. Speaker of the House Jason White expressed optimism during a talk with local business leaders, highlighting the potential benefits of increased federal funding and support for rural hospitals. He emphasized the economic strain caused by the lack of coverage for low-income workers. Although both the House and Senate have shown movement toward expansion, Governor Tate Reeves remains opposed to any program extension, despite strong public backing. White urges for constructive discussions on the topic moving forward.

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Mississippi News

Mississippi College announces name change, drops football program

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www.wjtv.com – Kristopher White – 2024-11-18 14:46:00

SUMMARY: Mississippi College (MC) will change its name to Mississippi Christian University in 2026, coinciding with its bicentennial. The Board of Trustees also decided to discontinue the college’s football program and approved plans for academic reorganization and realignment of the athletic department. The changes aim to enhance the institution’s focus on academic excellence and Christian education. Mississippi College President Blake Thompson emphasized the importance of these transformations for the school’s future, while Athletic Director Kenny Bizot acknowledged the decision to end the football program is difficult due to its legacy and connections with many supporters.

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