Billingsley helps extend MSU season in win over Samford

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gary Henderson pines after the Jacob Billingsley of June 5, 2017. On that day, with Mississippi State’s baseball season on the line, a pitcher with a 1-3 record and an earned run average over five went the distance, carrying a depleted pitching staff with a six-hit, one-run performance that kept his team’s season alive for a few hours and ultimately another week.

Notebook: Gordon, McQuary provide needed pitching to help Bulldogs win twice

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Cole Gordon was a piece of a disaster less than 60 hours prior to his trot to the bullpen Saturday night, staring down the same team that was his unraveling then.

MSU ousts Florida State on MacNamee walk-off home run

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Jake Mangum saw the changeup grip in Drew Parrish’s glove as he shuffled away from second base, biting the temptation to scream that fact at Elijah MacNamee. MacNamee didn’t need the hint: having just watched a 0-2 fastball miss the strike zone, he expected offspeed was on its way.

Notebook: Bulldogs find answer for Parrish in final at-bat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — All signs pointed to Drew Parrish. Florida State baseball coach Mike Martin’s gut, his teammates’ calls for him, Parrish’s response and dedication to preparation in a 150-minute rain delay. In that time, Martin decided he would give his starting pitcher the opportunity to finish the game.

MSU bullpen collapses in opening game at Tallahassee Regional

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The only sound in the Tradition Room of Dick Howser Stadium was Gary Henderson’s shuffling feet and his three deep exhales. Mississippi State’s interim baseball coach slid behind a seated Konnor Pilkington, settling between him and catcher Dustin Skelton.

MSU Notebook: Skelton shines in MSU loss to Oklahoma

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Dustin Skelton has spent more days with a sub-.200 batting average than he has in Mississippi State’s starting lineup. Those days are now a distant memory for the sophomore catcher.

FSU’s Martin continues to relish postseason runs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Thirty-nine years in college baseball will give one plenty of stories to tell, and Mike Martin is living proof. Florida State’s baseball coach was able to look at the other three coaches in the upcoming Tallahassee Regional — Mississippi State’s Gary Henderson, Oklahoma’s Skip Johnson and Samford’s Casey Dunn — and immediately recall days from early in their coaching careers or, in the latter’s case, his playing days.

Pilkington, Bulldogs set for Tallhassee Regional

STARKVILLE — Ron Pilkington and his wife Mitzi had taken Konnor — their brand new baby boy, their first child — from his birthplace in Pascagoula to Seattle, where Konnor would spend the first year plus of his life. Konnor was still in the first year of his life in a Seattle town home when Ron casually rolled a baseball across the floor.

Oklahoma retools lineup for Tallahassee Regional

STARKVILLE — The Oklahoma and Mississippi State baseball teams were in similar situations at the beginning of last week — pretty certain of their status as NCAA tournament teams, but knowing their resumes could still be helped or hurt by their results in the conference tournament.

Sweep of Florida key to MSU’s bid to NCAA tournament

STARKVILLE — The third weekend of May saved the Mississippi State baseball team’s season.

Henderson praises players, coaches for turnaround

STARKVILLE — No one envies the situation Gary Henderson was given in February.

After the Mississippi State baseball was named the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament’s Tallahassee Regional on Monday morning, MSU’s players praised the job their interim head coach did to get them there with a 31-25 record.

No. 8 seed LSU rallies past No. 9 seed MSU at SEC tournament

HOOVER, Ala. — The timing and the footwork weren’t an issue. Konnor Pilkington fielded the bunt by shortstop Hal Hughes with plenty of time to turn and go to first base for an out, but the ball was wet and Pilkington didn’t feel comfortable making the throw.

The worst was yet to come.

Pilkington said he felt good going on short rest

HOOVER, Ala. — Gary Henderson didn’t worry about starting Konnor Pilkington on short rest.

The Mississippi State interim coach watched his ace left-hander after he threw 100 pitches Thursday against No. 1 Florida. He was looking for the slightest indication something was off.

Mistakes cost MSU in loss to LSU at SEC tournament

HOOVER, Ala. — The Mississippi State baseball team committed only one error, but multiple mistakes contributed to its early departure from Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Self back after layoff with two new pitches

STARKVILLE — April was Riley Self’s breakout month as a freshman.

With all but one of his 12 appearances coming against conference competition, Self logged 12 1/3 innings and allowed four earned runs, struck out 18, and recorded the first three saves of his Mississippi State baseball career.

This April was a lost month.

Bulldogs rewarding Gautreau’s faith

STARKVILLE — Jake Gautreau saw the potential in March.

Despite a 13-12 record (1-5 in the Southeastern Conference), Gautreau saw the talent in the Mississippi State baseball team’s lineup. The MSU assistant coach and recruiting coordinator left a 1-2 weekend in Columbia, Missouri, confident that the quality of the Bulldogs’ at-bats was rising and that the results would come.

MSU baseball completes sweep of top-ranked Florida

STARKVILLE — Jake Mangum’s legendary three years as Mississippi State’s center fielder has contained nearly four times as many singles, 200, as all other extra-base hits, 55. Of those 55 multi-baggers, only two have left the yard. His first home run, as a freshman on April 2, 2016, opened scoring of a win over Ole Miss that clinched the series.

Notebook: MSU baseball set to turn thoughts to SEC tournament

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State has the luxury of knowing exactly what to expect from its No. 2 starting pitcher.

MSU track team leads nation at javelin

STARKVILLE — April Thomas needed a starting point.

MSU men’s tennis begins play at Sweet 16 Friday

STARKVILLE — The clues for Niclas Braun’s playing style were evident from birth. All he had to do was look at his twin sister.