Diamond Dawgs start new journey as Kentucky visits for Super Bulldog Weekend

Justin Parker came to work on Monday like any other day.

The Mississippi State pitching coach arrived and got to work ahead of Tuesday’s ball game against Memphis. Everything would change by lunch.

Director of Athletics Zac Selmon met with head baseball coach Chris Lemonis and informed the seventh-year head coach that he was being relieved of his duties after a 7-14 start in SEC play. Following that meeting, Parker was informed it was now his team for the duration of the season.

In a matter of hours, Parker had to transform into the team’s Interim Head Coach and get them focused on the task at hand.

“They all showed up and that’s what I told them – that’s what life is going to be like for the rest of their lives. There’s going to be tired days where you’re going to be beat up. You’re going to hate your job, you’re going to love your job and whatever it is you’re going to have to show up,” Parker said of his message to the team. “That’s what it’s about, getting back to work and getting refocused and recommitted. They weren’t going to cancel anymore games or the rest of the season, our mission is still ahead of us and we have full control of our destiny. That was our message to the guys.”

Bulldog players using tough week to bond as team

State responded in a major way with an 18-5 win over the Tigers. One could argue the talent differential between the two teams played a factor in that outcome, but State’s players made it clear postgame that they were playing with a little something extra on their heart.

It began pregame when the players had their own meeting in the outfield in a tradition that always involved Lemonis’ final words of wisdom. In that huddle, the team talked about the task at hand and the responsibility that they carry. A chance to make the Regionals and leave a legacy still exists.

“It would mean everything,” senior Bryce Chance said of a postseason run. “The regular season is fun, but what you come here to do is play postseason ball. It’s super important that we find a way to do that and keep working towards that the next couple of weeks.”

To get inside the postseason, the Bulldogs are going to have to go on a run of wins in SEC play. State (26-19, 7-14 SEC) lacks a resume for a Regional but opportunity awaits a team that seems to be rejuvenated.

Kentucky is the first team on the docket as former assistant coach Nick Mingione brings his ninth Wildcat team to town for Super Bulldog Weekend. UK (25-17, 10-11 SEC) is just a a year removed from being Co-SEC Champions and have a winning mindset. This year’s team has a little different makeup to it than the last, but a lot of the same still persists.

“You know they’re going to be high tempo. You know they’re going to run. You know they’re going to do the short game. They’re going to exploit a lot of your weaknesses defensively. They always throw strikes. Their pitching coach is a friend of mine and I highly respect him and what he does,” Parker said of the Wildcats.

“We’re going to have our hands full and play good baseball. It’s going to be a more taxing weekend from a tactical standpoint. We’re going to have to really defend and work on the short game and run game. It’s a little bit unique from an SEC style standpoint.”

Not many have given up hope on this State team making a run and, if anything, there has been some growing optimism. What the Bulldogs have to show, however, is that they can play consistent baseball for the next three weeks.

State has struggled to consistently defend, and the pitching has taken a downturn in the last couple of weeks. Parker just wants to see the team come out and play sound baseball the next three days and the rest will take care of itself.

“We’ve just got to play good baseball,” Parker said of the final 10 games. “The bottom line is we’re in the position that we’re in because of what we’ve done. We’ve got to play good baseball in all three phases. We’ve got to pitch throwing strikes, we’ve got to defend at a high level, we’ve got to play smart, and we’ve got to hit at the same time. (Tuesday) was a good step in the right direction.”

The SBW weekend series begins on Friday night at 6 p.m. with Saturday’s game at 2 p.m. Sunday’s game three will take place at Noon and can be seen on SEC Network.