Mississippi State baseball didn't have a fun time in the SEC Tournament. After closing the regular season 9-1 with a three-straight SEC series wins, the Diamond Dawgs made the trek east to Hoover with plenty of momentum.
But you wouldn't have known that with how they played in their first round matchup against Texas A&M. A horrific second inning took MSU completely out of the game and both sides cruised the rest of the way with the Bulldogs being eliminated in a 9-0 loss. State's time in Hoover ended almost as quickly as it started (well other than the fact that the game was delayed overnight thanks to the weather).
It was an ugly outing that's got many Bulldog fans frustrated, but it's likely not a game worth overreacting to given what State has shown in recent weeks. And based on history, there's literally no reason to be bothered by it.
Winless SEC Tournament trips haven't historically mattered for Mississippi State
Need a reason not to overreact to State's quick exit from the SEC Tournament? Leaving Hoover winless hasn't hurt Mississippi State's postseason trajectory in the past. According to On3's Robbie Faulk, this is the sixth time in program history that the Bulldogs went winless in the SEC Tournament. In each of the previous five instances, they at least reached a Super Regional.
There are three trips to the College World Series in those five instances, including the 2021 national championship team. Also included are the 2018 interim coach-led Diamond Dawgs that, much like this team, had to go on a wild run late in the season to even make the tournament to begin with. That team was bounced in their first game as well, and it ultimately meant nothing for them. A magical run still happened.
That's not at all to say the 2025 Bulldogs are Omaha-bound, nor is it to say that they'll even reach a Super Regional. But the point is that what happens in Hoover doesn't dictate success in the main event. Even winning there means literally nothing when it comes to regional performance. The last time the Bulldogs won the SEC Tournament in 2012, they quickly exited their regional with a 1-2 showing.
Mississippi State didn't play well in Hoover, but history says that won't be determining factor for their postseason ceiling. At this best, the Diamond Dawgs remain a team that will be a tough out in a regional, and their overall trajectory remains positive.