Baseball season is officially underway in Starkville. Mississippi State baseball returned to Dudy Noble Field over the weekend to begin their 2025 campaign, and the Diamond Dawgs handled their business to start the year.
In their season-opening series against Manhattan, the Bulldogs went 3-0. In double-header action on Friday, State posted a pair of run-rule victories, winning 17-3 and 13-1 in games one and two, respectively. Then on Sunday in the series finale, MSU prevailed 5-1 to complete the sweep and start this season off on the right foot.
Manhattan was severely outmatched against Mississippi State, and anything less than a sweep would have been, frankly, unacceptable. But for a program that has seen rough starts in recent seasons, even against poor competition, getting three easy wins out of the way was a welcomed sight.
Pico Khon shines as Diamond Dawg pitching staff shuts down Manhattan lineup
After seeing eight pitchers taken in the 2024 MLB Draft, including their top two starters and main relievers, Mississippi State baseball was going to be breaking in a new look rotation for 2025, though the main options would be familiar faces in Starkville.
Veteran Pico Khon served as State's ace, and he delivered a stellar outing. In 5.0 innings of work on Friday, Khon struck-out a career-high 11 batters, allowing just one hit, no walks, and no runs. Karson Ligon delivered his best performance as a Bulldog in game two, striking out eight in 4.0 innings and allowing just one run. And on Sunday, Stone Simmons made his long-awaited return to the mound, pitching 3.0 scoreless innings with five Ks.
It wasn't just the Bulldog starters that pitched well, either. In 11.0 innings, the MSU bullpen surrendered just four runs. Again, level of competition matters, but this was a nice start for the pitching staff.
Aaron Downs and group of Mississippi State veterans see big weekends at the plate
As with the pitching staff, State had plenty to replace at the plate from last season, and while transfers were the talk of the offseason, it was largely MSU veterans who showed out to open 2025. First baseman Hunter Hines had a five hit weekend with a home run and five RBI. Outfielder Bryce Chance also had five hits with a pair of doubles.
Outfielder Nolan Stevens and shortstop Dylan Cupp both had good weekends at the plate. Perhaps the surprise performance came from outfielder Aaron Downs. Downs went 4-7 with a home run, walk, and team-leading seven RBI. He may prove to be a bigger piece of this lineup than originally thought.
A few State transfers performed well too. Designated hitter Noah Sullivan went 3-6 with a double and four RBI. Second baseman Ace Reese didn't have a huge weekend at the plate (.250), but he hit a laser of a home run in his third at-bat of the year and scored four runs. This lineup put up 30 runs in 13.0 innings on Friday. Even with a quieter game three, that's a great start.