MSU’s Thompson celebrates national championship in javelin

STARKVILLE — Curtis Thompson had an idea of what it would feel like to be a national champion.

MSU pitching coach Johnson leaves for Arkansas

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball pitching coach Wes Johnson took the same position at Arkansas, coach Dave Van Horn announced Wednesday.

MSU baseball sends 22 to summer leagues around nation

STARKVILLE — After a stellar season, the Mississippi State baseball team will send 22 players to compete in summer baseball leagues around the country, coach John Cohen announced Tuesday.

Simmons seeks another continuance

Jeffery Simmons was expected back in Macon Municipal Court today, but his lawyer, Jay Perry of Starkville, said Monday his case is expected to be continued for a second time.

‘Special’ group could be face plenty of changes in 2017

STARKVILLE — Brent Rooker and Austin Sexton walked to the podium with heads down and somber looks on their faces.

Rooker, wearing a maroon pullover, and Sexton, who was still wearing his gray uniform with maroon pinstripes, sat down to face the media. Bright lights flooded the eyes of the Mississippi State baseball players as they looked out at the room and prepared to talk about an unexpected end to a great season.

Mingione leaves MSU to become head coach at Kentucky

STARKVILLE — Jarrod Parks didn’t know how much Nick Mingione was paying attention as he ran around Dudy Noble Field.

Every day, Parks, who played for the Mississippi State baseball team from 2009-11, would take batting practice and get plenty of ground balls at third base. He didn’t know Mingione very well when he arrived at MSU because the volunteer assistant coach wasn’t involved in his recruiting. That was left up to coach John Cohen and assistant Lane Burroughs. But when Mingione approached Parks with some thoughts, he was floored at how much he cared.

MSU recruiting specialist Gibson arrested for DUI

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football recruiting specialist Rod Gibson was arrested for driving under the influence over the weekend, the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.

MSU’s historic season ends with Super Regional loss to Arizona

STARKVILLE — All Blake Smith could do was stare into right field.

Bulldogs’ offense shut down in opening game of super regional by Wildcats

STARKVILLE — As Jake Mangum stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday, Dudy Noble Field came to life.

FCA spreads ministry to large turnout at high school camp at EMCC

SCOOBA — Jimmy Gilford quickly stepped away and immediately shouted encouragement at high school football players.

Super Regional notebook: Bulldogs have school-record 11 players drafted

STARKVILLE — After not having a player taken last year, the Mississippi State baseball team had a school-record 11 players selected in the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

MSU’s bullpen has been source of strength

STARKVILLE — Ryan Rigby stood in the bullpen and watched sparingly as Zac Houston loaded the bases Sunday.

The Mississippi State sophomore right-hander didn’t have time to fixate on Houston because he was locked into his warmup.

But Rigby knew he was about to enter in a tough spot.

Gibbons has been spark for Arizona

STARKVILLE — Zach Gibbons wanted to have a big junior season.

After being a big part of the Arizona baseball team in 2014, he struggled in 2015 as the Wildcats had another losing season.

That didn’t sit well with Gibbons, so he worked hard in the summer and fall to get back on track.

Cardinals take Hudson with last pick in first round

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball junior right-handed pitcher Dakota Hudson was expected to go in the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft.

Hudson probably didn’t think it would come down to the wire, but he had to wait until pick No. 34, the last pick of the first round, before the St. Louis Cardinals selected him.

With limited fanfare, Hudson anticipates call in professional draft

STARKVILLE — Dakota Hudson has every right to throw a huge party to celebrate his future.

Wanting the ball: Collins working hard to improve at third base

STARKVILLE — Gavin Collins isn’t passing the blame.

The Mississippi State junior third baseman recognizes his defensive struggles. Collins, who is playing third base for the first time in his college career, has committed 17 errors and has a fielding percentage of .898.

MSU won’t celebrate after first three wins

STARKVILLE — There was no dog pile after Ryan Rigby flipped the baseball to Nathaniel Lowe at first base to record the last out.

The Mississippi State baseball team had reason to celebrate Sunday night after a 4-0 victory against Louisiana Tech helped it win the Starkville Regional and advance to the NCAA tournament’s Super Regionals. Nobody would have blamed MSU if it showed emotion and basked in the moment.

But that wasn’t the case because MSU has higher aspirations.

Bougard has plenty of goals at NCAAs

STARKVILLE — Erica Bougard is ready for another challenge.

The Mississippi State track and field standout has prepared all season to compete on the national stage. As she counts down the time to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Bougard is confident her training has put her in great position to realize her goals.

Three up, Three down: Houston, Rigby combine on two-hitter

STARKVILLE — Zac Houston may have been more excited than Ryan Rigby.

After giving up a walk, a hit, and another walk to load the bases, though, Houston had three big reasons to be equally worried.

That’s the situation Houston handed over to Rigby with no outs in the top of the seventh inning and the No. 4 Mississippi State baseball team leading Louisiana Tech 4-0.

Singles approach leads to success for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen knew it would be a long shot for a ball to get out of Dudy Noble Field on Sunday night.

Not only was the wind was blowing in, but the air also was heavier after a two-hour, 10-minute rain delay. As a result, Cohen, who played for the Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field, realized his offense was going to have to eschew the home run and take another approach to win.