Kentucky and Mississippi State will clash in Starkville for the first time since 2021 this weekend.
Things however look much different for both programs since then, as Mississippi State would go on to win the College World Series that season and Kentucky would make its first College World Series three seasons later. By the time these teams would meet next at Dudy Noble, head coach Chris Lemonis would also no longer be the head coach of the Bulldogs.
As the season winds down to a close, every SEC series is like gold to a team looking to make the NCAA Tournament. If it can win two games in Starkville, Kentucky would earn its third consecutive conference series victory.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (26-19, 7-14)
It’s been a hectic week for the Mississippi State program, as head coach Chris Lemonis was relieved of his coaching duties on Monday, April 28. Assistant coach Justin Parker, who has never been a head coach, was selected to be the interim coach for the remaining 10 games plus postseason play.
The Bulldogs are 1-0 in the (short-lived) Justin Parker era, as they run-ruled Memphis 18-5 in Starkville on Tuesday.
The decision to move on from Lemonis was not a surprising one, as the Bulldogs had posted a 118-98 (42-69) overall record since winning the Men’s College World Series in 2021. Firing Lemonis with 10 games left in the season however was a puzzling decision, especially given that he delivered the lone National Championship in program history just four seasons ago and there is proven to be no advantage to “getting a head start” on hiring a new coach.
However, the Bulldogs remain on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament. According to On3’s latest Field of 64 Projections, Mississippi State is the First Team OUT of the field. Because of that, a series victory over Kentucky this weekend would be massive for that program.
Offensively, State is hitting for a .305 team batting average (43rd in NCAA) with a 4.53 team ERA (38th in NCAA). At the plate, the Bulldogs are led by senior third baseman Gehrig Frei (.371 AVG, 10 2B), sophomore third baseman Ace Reese (.349 AVG, 16 HR) and senior DH Noah Sullivan (.344 AVG, 12 2B). Frei’s .371 average ranks fifth in the SEC, while Reese’s 16 home runs are tied for third most in the conference.
On the mound, Mississippi State will start senior left-hander Pico Kohn on Friday, junior right-hander Evan Siary on Saturday and senior right-hander Karson Ligon on Sunday. As a trio, the Bulldog starting rotation boasts a combined 4.84 ERA in 134 innings. Kohn’s 3.82 ERA ranks 12th among SEC arms.
Kentucky Wildcats (25-17, 10-11)
Kentucky had won six of its last eight games before having its momentum stopped just a bit in its midweek loss to Western Kentucky on Tuesday. However, the ‘Cats remain strong as a No. 2 seed in On3’s latest Field of 64 Projections and could further solidify their tournament resume with a series win over Mississippi State this weekend.
The Wildcats’ team batting average remains at a disappointing .274, but their 4.17 team ERA ranks 22nd in the country. Just three (qualified) batters are hitting for at least a .300 average, led by senior outfielder Cole Hage (.331). In his last 16 at-bats, Hage is 8-16 (.500) with five singles, two doubles and a home run. Senior third baseman Patrick Herrera is second with a .322 average, and freshman shortstop Tyler Bell is third with a .321 average.
Herrera, who pinch-hit just twice over the entirety of the South Carolina series and the Western Kentucky game, should be back in the starting lineup this weekend after dealing with a groin injury. Bell’s .321 average ranks 6th in the SEC among freshmen.
On the mound, Kentucky boasts two of the eight best starters in the entire SEC. Sophomore left-hander Ben Cleaver‘s 3.17 ERA ranks sixth and senior right-hander Nic McCay‘s 3.42 ERA ranks eighth. Freshman right-hander Nate Harris has also emerged a solid starter on Friday nights, as he boasts a 3.66 ERA in four SEC starts.
The ‘Cats were tabbed as the No. 21 overall team in D1Baseball’s Field of 64 Projections, placing them as the No. 2 seed in No. 14 national seed West Virginia’s Regional. A series victory this weekend along with some help around the country could get Nick Mingione’s team one step closer to a third potential Lexington Regional.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Mississippi State leads 63-43
Probable Starters
Friday, May 2, 2025 (Dudy Noble Field – 7:00 p.m. EST) SEC Network+
UK: RHP Nate Harris (4-2, 3.67 ERA, 41.2 IP) vs MSST: LHP Pico Kohn (4-2, 3.82 ERA, 61.1 IP)
Saturday, May 3, 2025 (Dudy Noble Field – 3:00 p.m. EST) SEC Network+
UK: RHP Nic McCay (4-0, 3.42 ERA, 52.2 IP) vs MSST: RHP Evan Siary (1-1, 4.09 ERA, 33.0 IP)
Sunday, May 4, 2025 (Dudy Noble Field – 1:00 p.m. EST) SEC Network+
UK: LHP Ben Cleaver (5-2, 3.17 ERA, 59.2 IP) vs MSST: RHP Karson Ligon (4-5, 7.03 ERA, 39.2 IP)
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