Mullen officially adds two to staff

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen is adding some NFL playing and coaching experience to his staff.

On Tuesday, Mullen announced the hiring of 19-year NFL coaching veteran Brian Baker as the Bulldogs’ defensive line coach and former NFL kicker Chris Boniol as a special teams quality control coach.

Three MSU players up for state’s Howell, Gillom trophies

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball players Gavin Ware and Quinndary Weatherspoon were named finalists for the C Spire Howell Trophy, while women’s basketball player Victoria Vivians was named a finalist for the Gillom Trophy on Monday.

The men’s award, named after former MSU great Bailey Howell, is presented annually to the top collegiate male player in the state of Mississippi. The women’s award, named after former Ole Miss great Peggie Gillom-Granderson, is presented annually to the top collegiate female player in the state. Both awards will be presented Monday at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson.

Mullen will hire Baker to be MSU’s DL coach

STARKVILLE — A source confirmed Monday that Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen plans to hire longtime NFL coach Brian Baker as the team’s new defensive line coach.

The hire, which was first reported by Scout.com, is expected to be made official today or Wednesday.

Cohen wants MSU to keep focus before trip

STARKVILLE — With a trip to California looming, John Cohen wants the Mississippi State baseball team focused on the game at hand.

Later this week, the MSU coach will take his team to Los Angeles for games against No. 14 UCLA, Southern California, and Oklahoma, but before that happens, No. 24 MSU (6-2) will play host to Alcorn State (1-7) at 4 p.m. today (SEC Network+).

After winning four games against the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Nicholls State last weekend, Cohen wants his team to remain focused prior to its first road trip of the season.

Starting pitchers look strong all weekend for MSU

STARKVILLE — John Cohen wasn’t pleased with his starting pitching last weekend.

The Mississippi State coach had confidence in his pitching staff entering the season, calling it the strongest aspect of the team. But the starters struggled last weekend, and Austin Sexton was the only one to earn a decision, a loss to Florida Atlantic.

But the Bulldog starters made a vast improvement from the opening weekend and allowed no runs on 14 hits and struck out 34 in 26 2/3 innings in four wins in the second weekend. Zac Houston was the latest to shine, going career-high six innings and allowing no runs on three hits and two walks in an 8-0 victory against Nicholls State on Sunday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field.

West Lowndes boys earn return trip to Jackson

Danny Crawford had high expectations when he took over both West Lowndes High School programs last August.

Cohen wants more from MSU’s starting pitchers

STARKVILLE — John Cohen hopes his starting pitchers are anxious to get back on the mound.

After seeing four starters not do what they were expected to do last weekend, the Mississippi State baseball coach is looking for more from Dakota Hudson, Daniel Brown, Austin Sexton, and Zac Houston this weekend when No. 24 MSU (2-2) plays host to Massachusetts Lowell (0-0) and Nicholls State (4-1). MSU will play UMass Lowell at 4:30 p.m. today (SEC Network +) and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The Bulldogs and Colonels play at 11 a.m. Saturday and at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

MSU men will take on South Carolina

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team is looking to avenge another Southeastern Conference loss.

In revenge games this season, MSU has defeated Arkansas and Alabama and lost to Texas A&M.

At 1:30 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network), MSU (12-15, 5-10 SEC) will get another chance when it plays host to South Carolina (23-5, 10-5) at Humphrey Coliseum.

Walley, Thomas no longer on MSU football team

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen wanted to make sure he had enough tight ends in the incoming recruiting class just in case.

Mullen didn’t know if Gus Walley was going to be able to play this season due to injuries, so he signed Dontea Jones, Christian Roberson, and Jordan Thomas. The move gave MSU needed insurance because Walley wasn’t on the football team’s spring roster, which was released Wednesday. A team spokesperson said Walley and offensive lineman Jake Thomas are no longer on the team due to injuries. Spring practice begins March 9.

Weatherspoon plays key role in recent resurgence

STARKVILLE — Ben Howland knew what he was getting with Quinndary Weatherspoon and couldn’t wait for the Southeastern Conference and country to watch the freshman.

Energized Sword helps carry Bulldogs down stretch run

STARKVILLE — Craig Sword’s role may have changed, but he’s having fun.

Turner leaves MSU football staff for offer at Texas A&M

STARKVILLE — A source confirmed Tuesday morning that Mississippi State defensive line coach David Turner is leaving the program for a position at Texas A&M. His official title with the Aggies is unknown and Texas A&M has not made the hire official.

West Point rolls over Lewisburg to start Class 5A playoffs

WEST POINT — Even with a 35-point lead in the fourth quarter, Dashmon Daniel was still coaching.

Kruger has big weekend in Bulldogs’ split

STARKVILLE — Jack Kruger is no stranger to Division I baseball.

Kruger played as a freshman at Oregon in 2014 before transferring to Orange Coast (Calif.) College, where he played last season.

Kruger’s experience at the Division I level was evident this weekend in his first four games for Mississippi State. On Sunday, Kruger was a triple shy of the cycle to lead No. 20 MSU to a 15-5 victory against South Dakota State in seven innings at Dudy Noble Field.

MSU baseball limps out gate with 1-2 start

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State is learning right now.

Cohen, Bulldogs excited for fresh start

STARKVILLE — There’s a chip on John Cohen’s shoulder.

In fact, there’s a chip on the shoulders of all of the Bulldogs after a disappointing 2015 season that saw MSU finish 24-30 and last in the Southeastern Conference (8-22).

Two years removed from a runner-up finish at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, big things were expected last season but failed to materialize. No. 20 MSU will try t

Howland eager to see MSU build on buzzer-beater

STARKVILLE — Ben Howland sees the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s victory against Vanderbilt on Tuesday as a confidence booster.

Quinndary Weatherspoon’s 3-pointer as time expired helped the Bulldogs overcome a 17-point deficit for a 75-74 win at Humphrey Coliseum.

Howland said his team needed the victory after so many close losses. MSU (11-14, 4-9 Southeastern Conference) will look to build on that win at 1:30 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network) when it faces Alabama (16-9, 7-6) at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Offense should give MSU chance to bounce back

STARKVILLE — Jacob Robson is excited.

After a season in which he hit in a variety of spots in the Mississippi State baseball team’s lineup, the junior outfielder is ready to be a table-setter. And when your leadoff hitter feels good about what is coming behind him, it usually leads to plenty of action on the basepaths.

Robson hopes that is the case this season as MSU tries to rebound from a 24-30 (8-22 in the Southeastern Conference) finish in 2015. He spent most of MSU’s 12 intrasquad scrimmages hitting in the leadoff position and likes the depth the Bulldogs have to round out a lineup.

Mullen announces addition of Peterson to staff

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen announced Wednesday that Brad Peterson has been named director player personnel.

Peterson joins MSU after compiling a 148-70-1 record in 17 years as a high school coach. He comes to MSU after spending one

season at Madison Central High School, where he helped the team advance to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A North Half State title game, where it lost to eventual state champion Starkville.

Humphreys eager for chance to be MSU’s closer

STARKVILLE — Reid Humphreys saw last season how not having a closer affected the Mississippi State baseball team’s confidence.

It was evident in an 8-7 10-inning loss to Ole Miss on May 9. MSU led 7-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, but the Rebels scored five runs to force extra innings before winning in the next inning.

The loss epitomized the struggles of a team that had nine saves and only 15 opportunities because it didn’t have a reliable closer. This season, the Bulldogs have several options to fill the role, including Humphreys, who also will compete for playing time at third base and in the outfield.