New Diamond Dawg team focused on returning State to prominence

While Opening Day is almost certain to be less than ideal from a weather perspective, Friday’s official first day of baseball scrimmages was just about perfect.

It represents another year of eternal optimism for Mississippi State baseball as the records reset to 0-0 and the Diamond Dawgs have a chance to make right the issues of the last two seasons. Head coach Chris Lemonis certainly believes this is the time for the Bulldogs to turn things around and get back on track and he believes in his team.

“I like our group. We had a really good fall and they have come back in really good shape,” Lemonis said of his 2024 roster. “We got to practice on the field (Thursday) night, so that was good. The guys are right where they need to be.

“(Friday) starts the first scrimmages, so we’ll see some pitchers throw and compete, and build up some volume. Position wise, that group has a chance to be special. There’s a lot of competition. Trying to figure out where some guys are going to play, but it’s a fun group.”

Hitting wasn’t really a part of the Bulldogs’ issues the last two seasons as State had some talented bats in the lineup. A couple return this year that are sure to be must-see TV as junior first baseman Hunter Hines and sophomore right fielder Dakota Jordan return after monster seasons in 2023.

Adding in other talented returners like middle infielders Amani Larry and David Mershon and catcher Ross Highfill and State has a solid base. Lemonis is also excited about newcomers like transfer third baseman Logan Kohler from Memphis, one of the top high school short stops in the country in Dylan Cupp and centerfielder Connor Hujsak.

While the lineup looks strong for State, the defense was a major issue for the Bulldogs last season and it was a big step back from being a strength for the team the previous season. The addition of Cupp and Kohler have especially helped in that regard and that middle infield battle of Larry, Mershon and the freshman Cupp has been fun to watch for Lemonis.

Adding in the outfield, it’s a position group that could do big things.

“You have some real competition, probably an outfield spot or two. The middle infield for me will be competitive. I’ve got a couple of guys going for two spots,” Lemonis said. “Who is the DH? There are some spots that guys have won. Dakota has played a really good right field. Hunter at first. There’s competition, and a lot of ways that I can manage. We’re playing a lot of secondary positions right now.  Bryce Chance is playing left field and second. My middle infielders are playing everywhere and are giving us some flexibility.”

But what about that pitching?

If the defense is settled and the offense is clicking, the giant elephant in the room that must improve is the pitching. The Diamond Dawgs put together one of the worst statistical seasons in the history of the program last year and it led to an early exit for former Assistant Coach of the Year, Scott Foxhall.

Lemonis would go out and grab South Carolina pitching coach Justin Parker for his replacement and the early returns are strong from Bulldog pitchers as well as the head coach.

“I think he’s built a great relationship with those guys. There’s a lot of trust going on right now,” Lemonis said. “Going from fall until now, there’s been a lot of growth. They learned a lot in the fall, but they are more confident and a little more comfortable with what he’s teaching. They’ve bought in.”

For the next three weeks, the Diamond Dawgs will put in the finishing touches of preseason before stepping out on Dudy Noble Field for the first time in live games for 2024.

It’s been nearly three years since State dog piled on the field in Omaha, Neb., with the schools’ first national championship and they haven’t been able to sustain success. With almost everyone from that title game now gone, it’s up to this group to get the team back on steady ground and they’re doing what they can to do just that.

“The confidence level is way up from last year,” Jordan said. “This team brings a lot of energy and, personally, I feel way better than I did last year. I expect big things from me. I’m ready and I’m getting chills right now thinking about it.”