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State unleashes 18-5 run rule on Memphis in first game post-Lemonis

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•04/29/25•

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Noah Sullivan (Photo by Mississippi State Athletics)

Just over 24 hours after Chris Lemonis was relieved of his duties as head coach of Mississippi State, the Diamond Dawg team was put to the test on the field.

The team took the field for the first time without their coach as State took on Memphis in midweek action. With pitching coach Justin Parker in as Interim Head Coach, State played spirited baseball and blew out the Tigers 18-5 in seven innings.

“Well once the game started, it was great,” Parker said. “The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind and very emotional. With that being said, it was back to business when the game started. That piece of it was nice. I know everyone was looking forward to it and it was nice to be back on the field.”

Bulldog bats come alive in one of season’s best showings

While the Tigers’ pitching had something to do with it, the Bulldogs had one of its best approaches at the plate this season. State had 18 runs on 16 hits in the game with four doubles and two home runs.

The big blow came in the fourth inning as MSU sent 16 batters to the plate and put up a 10 spot with seven hits. The first 11 batters in the inning came up without being retired as the lead would grow to 17-0.

MSU had scored three runs in the first inning, a run in the second and three more in the third prior to that to build a 7-0 advantage.

Five different starters managed two hits each with Reed Stallman finishing 2-for-4 with five RBI thanks to a home run and a double. Hunter Hines was 2-for-2 with two RBI and three walks. Hines had two opposite field hits including a double off the wall in left center.

Ace Reese and Ross Highfill were each 2-for-3 with three RBI as Reese had a double and Highfill a three-run homer. Sawyer Reves finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and Bryce Chance was 2-for-2 with two RBI. Noah Sullivan walked three times and had a hit in his other at bat.

Sullivan also set the tone on the mound. Being the first Bulldog to have the ball in his hands in the game, he went out and threw 3.0 scoreless innings allowing just one batter to reach via a hit with two outs in the first. Sullivan struck out five batters in his stint and retired the final seven he faced.  

“With everything going on, the biggest factor is to just lock it in that much more. We get to play the game of baseball at Mississippi State University and that is such a huge blessing,” Sullivan said. “We need each other right now. We have our entire season in front of us.”

Up Next

MSU (26-19, 7-14 SEC) will now look to carry the momentum into another big SEC weekend. The Diamond Dawgs missed the mark in each of the last two weekends and it ultimately was the final straw for Lemonis. With three weekends to go, State will need to finish strong to get to postseason.

Kentucky is the first team up for the Bulldogs as Nick Mingione and the Wildcats come to town for a three-game set for Super Bulldog Weekend. With the first game without Lemonis out of the way, the players and their coach hope they can now just breathe and play ball again.

“It was definitely different, but we still have the same goal in mind,” Chance said. “We’re working to try to get into postseason right now and that didn’t change (Tuesday). I liked the mood (of Parker). I like how he didn’t shy away that this is going to be difficult. We’re going to move forward.”

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