Helms steps down as coach to become assistant principal at WPHS

WEST POINT — Jemmye Ann Helms has experienced success at multiple levels of organized basketball.

In the past 20 years, the game has been in her blood, as a player in high school and college and as a coach.

So when the 13-year coaching veteran decided to step away from her role as girls basketball coach at West Point High School, she made sure to give the move careful consideration.

Dispatch Softball Player of the Year: Swayze Hollenhead

MABEN — Swayze Hollenhead left East Webster High School as a four-time state champion softball player.

Dispatch Softball Coach of the Year: Meleah Brown

MABEN — As a senior pitcher at Bogue Chitto High School, Meleah Brown ended her star-studded prep career with a 1-0 loss to East Webster in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A South State title game.

Thinking of a master plan: Wright leads South Lamar through challenging season

MILLPORT, Ala. — The success of Year 2 of the Lane Wright era at South Lamar High School was crafted well before the season started.

When the 10-year coaching veteran made the switch from Sulligent to South Lamar, he inherited a team that lost eight seniors from a squad which reached the semifinals of the Alabama Class 1A state playoffs.

The arm that could: Senior ball player has more responsibility this year

CARROLLTON, Ala. — Chase Davidson knew more would be placed on his shoulders this season at Pickens Academy.

Just one of three seniors, the Pirates’ ace pitcher would enter his final prep campaign without the run support that propelled the Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 2A squad to a 16-7 record and a second-round playoff berth in 2010.

Dispatch Small Schools Baseball Coach of the Year

HAMILTON — Once you’ve won it all, second place is hard to accept.

Dispatch Small Schools Baseball Player of the Year

HAMILTON — Being “that guy” often comes with the challenge of getting every opponent’s best effort.

Turn pro or stay in Starkville? Decision unknown

STARKVILLE — If the Bulldogs head into next season with rising seniors Devin Jones and Nick Routt, their pitching staff will be the most experienced its been under coach John Cohen.

Cohen hopes summer baseball participation continues

STARKVILLE — If every MSU player comes back from their summer league assignment like Caleb Reed did, MSU coach John Cohen will have 12 players ready to have breakout seasons in 2012.

MSU baseball survived twists, turns

STARKVILLE — The twists and turns of a baseball season can prevent teams from reaching their goals, while others can turn a once bleak situation into an unexpected postseason run.

Home runs help Florida end MSU’s season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With a two-run lead in the seventh inning Sunday, Mississippi State second baseman Nick Vickerson could smell the midwest breeze of Omaha, Neb.

Then, much like Vickerson did Saturday, the University of Florida baseball team changed the game with one swing.

Preston Tucker’s three-run home run helped Florida regain the lead and send it to an 8-6 win in Game 3 of the NCAA tournament’s Gainesville Super Regional.

‘Scrappy’ Bulldogs make big strides

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — At the beginning of the season, no one anticipated the Mississippi State baseball team coming within nine outs of making it to the College World Series.

NCAA Super Regional post-game: Florida 8, MSU 6 (Game 3)

NCAA Super Regional at Gainesville

Game 3 of best-of-three series

Florida 8, MSU 6

Florida clinches College World Series for second straight year

—Florida hits a season-high five home runs against the Bulldogs

—All of Florida’s runs come via the long ball

—MSU uses eight pitchers after starting pitcher Luis Pollorena is pulled at the beginning of the third.

NCAA Super Regional pre-game: MSU vs. Florida (Game 3)

—NCAA Super Regional at Gainesville

Mississippi State (38-24, Swept Atlanta Regional) vs. Florida (49-17, Swept Gainesville Regional)

Florida won game 1, 11-1; Mississippi State won Game 2, 4-3

Winner of today’s game earned a College World Series berth

Florida is shooting for second-straight CWS berth

Mississippi State is looking to reach CWS for ninth time and first since 2007

—Game time (Noon CDT)

Broadcast: ESPN

Vickerson delivers magic for MSU

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Nick Vickerson wanted the chance to be a postseason hero.

The scenario was there Saturday in the Gainesville Super Regional: bottom of the ninth with one runner on and a one-run deficit.

With his first pitch from University of Florida reliever Steven Rodriguez, Vickerson hit a two-run, walkoff home run to left field to lift the Mississippi State baseball team to a 4-3 win.

Reed stellar in relief for Bulldogs

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Caleb Reed has something you don’t know about: A changeup.

The Mississippi State closer has tinkered with the pitch throughout the season, but there hasn’t been a rush to get the pitch into his arsenal during his breakout junior year.

Pollorena will start Game 3 for MSU

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Luis Pollorena has had to sit in the dugout this weekend and wait for his shot at the University of Florida during the Super Regional.

He didn’t draw either of the starts in the first two games and didn’t make a relief appearance.

Today, his wait will end when the sophomore left-hander will start Game 3 for a shot to send the Mississippi State baseball team to the College World Series.

NCAA Super Regional post-game: MSU 4, Florida 3

NCAA Super Regional at Gainesville

Game 2 of best-of-three series

MSU 4, Florida 3

Game 3 tomorrow at noon CT (ESPN)

—Nick Vickerson delivers two-run walk-off home run on first pitch from Steven Rodriguez in bottom of ninth. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.

—Vickerson had MSU’s last home run, which came against Florida in the SEC tournament. He has 18 extra-base hits in last 22.

—Gators lose first NCAA tournament game of postseason

—MSU’s postseason run continues with 4-1 record

NCAA Super Regional pre-game: MSU vs. Florida (Game 2)

—NCA Super Regional at Gainesville

Mississippi State (37-24, Swept Atlanta Regional) vs. Florida (49-16, Swept Gainesville Regional)

Florida won Game 1, 11-1 and can clinch a spot in the College World Series with a win today

Game time (11 a.m. CDT)

Broadcast: ESPN

MSU notebook: Mitchell struggles early; Randall atones for loss in Starkville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Evan Mitchell’s hot-hand turned ice cold Friday against the Florida Gators.

The Mississippi State freshman right-hander had the worst start of his career in the opening game of the NCAA Super Regional at Gainesville, giving up seven earned runs on five hits in just two innings of work in MSU’s 11-1 loss to Florida. Mitchell walked two and struck out three on 43 pitches.