Skip to main content
mississippi-state logo

Pitching plans set for Texas A&M and Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•05/19/25•

RobbieFaulkOn3

image0 (11)
Ryan McPherson (Photo by Mississippi State Athletics)

When Mississippi State takes the field at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Tuesday night, a freshman will toe the rubber.

Justin Parker has selected RHP Ryan McPherson to be his game one starter against Texas A&M when the two teams meet at 8 p.m. McPherson will be making his second start of his State career with his other start coming against Southern University on April 15.

McPherson threw 2.0 innings in that win over the Jaguars and gave up one hit, one run, one walk and struck out four batters.

It’s been an impressive first year for McPherson as he’s pitched in 17 games and gone 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA. McPherson has thrown 32.2 innings, given up 21 hits, 11 earned runs, 11 walks and 49 strikeouts. His .176 batting average against is the second best among long term pitchers behind Nate Williams .147.

In McPherson’s last three appearances against Kentucky, Ole Miss and Missouri, he’s thrown 5.0 innings with zero hits and runs, three walks and five strikeouts. He inherited two men on base with no outs in a 6-5 game in the ninth inning against the Rebels two weeks ago and got out of the inning unscathed to earn his second save.

A&M will counter with sophomore RHP Weston Moss who enters the game with a 6-3 record and 3.35 ERA. Like McPherson, Moss has spent most of the season in the bullpen with a team-high 21 appearances and two starts. Moss has 49 strikeouts and 17 walks in 45.2 innings and has a .215 opposing batting average.

Seven of his 17 runs surrendered have come in the last two appearances. He threw 4.0 innings total against Missouri and Georgia and gave up six hits, seven runs, three walks and struck out six batters.

MSU (34-20) enters the game safely in the NCAA Tournament projections. The Aggies (28-25) will have to make a deep run this week to be considered. The tournament format is now a single elimination.

You may also like