Mississippi State Bulldogs News: Ugly SEC start for baseball, basketball portal news

Baseball's poor start to SEC play only got worse, a Diamond Dawg legend made his MLB debut, softball fights hard against the No. 1 team, and basketball is seeing players leave for the portal.
Jun 14, 2019; Omaha, NE, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Chris Lemonis watches his team during practice day before the start of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Jun 14, 2019; Omaha, NE, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Chris Lemonis watches his team during practice day before the start of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

We're into the thick of SEC play for Mississippi State baseball, and it has been anything but a pretty start for the Diamond Dawgs. Here's what happened over the weekend for MSU baseball plus more news involving Bulldog athletics...

Mississippi State baseball swept at LSU, horrid SEC start continues

Bulldog baseball looked questionable in the non-conference slate, struggling with quality opponents. That's been amplified through the first three SEC series. MSU is 1-8 in SEC play, 16-12 overall, following getting swept at No. 8 LSU. The Bulldogs blew a 6-2 lead in Baton Rouge Thursday night to lose 8-6, couldn't prevail on a Friday night pitchers' duel with a 2-1 loss, and then were lit up 17-8 late Saturday. The 2025 season has turned sour quickly, and already, MSU's postseason hopes are in doubt.

Jake Mangum makes MLB debut with Tampa Bay Rays

One of the greatest and most beloved Diamond Dawgs in Mississippi State baseball history finally got his chance in the big leagues. Jake Mangum, the SEC's all-time hits leader, made his major league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday after six years in the minor leagues. Mangum, who shined in Triple-A ball last season and was a spring training star this year, got the call up just a few days into the 2025 season. You can read more about his major league debut here...

Bulldog softball proves they can compete against top-ranked Texas

Mississippi State softball welcomed No. 1 Texas to Starkville over the weekend for their biggest series of the year, and while the Longhorns took 2/3 from the Bulldogs, State showed they could go toe-to-toe with an elite squad. MSU walked-off Texas 4-3 in the series opener before losing game two in extra innings. Game three was tight until the final few innings. The No. 17 Bulldogs just missed on a huge series win, but this squad is good enough to play with anyone. State is now 29-8 overall and 6-3 in the SEC.

Michael Nwoko among the Mississippi State Bulldogs to transfer out

Bulldog basketball has seen five transfer portal departures since the end of the season, the most notable of those being starting center Michael Nwoko. On Monday, news broke that Nwoko was transferring to SEC rival LSU. Also transferring out are guard Kanye Clary, who missed the majority of the season with injury, and reserves in guard Martavious Russell, forward Adrian Myers, and center Jeremy Foumena.