Cohen will renew ties at Kentucky

STARKVILLE — From afar, the head coaches who will meet in a Southeastern Conference three-game series this weekend in Lexington, Ky., seem like polar opposites.

A deeper look reveals Mississippi State University baseball coach John Cohen and University of Kentucky coach Gary Henderson might have more in common than just a professional respect for each other after having worked side by side for five seasons.

Cohen will bring his No. 19 MSU (20-4, 1-2 SEC) team to Cliff Hagan Stadium for the first time since he left Kentucky to take the job at his alma mater to face Henderson and the No. 10 Wildcats (16-4, 2-1).

Starkville Academy baseball team sweeps East Rankin

STARKVILLE — Normally high school coaches are afraid of letting their teams have fun at the expense of opponents.

Starkville Academy baseball coach Neal Henry isn’t one of those people.

In fact, Henry encouraged the brooms to come out in his dugout late Thursday evening in a 6-5 and 11-8 sweep of East Rankin Academy at Volunteer Field.

5 Keys for Mississippi State football in spring practice

Dispatch sports writer Matt Stevens examines five questions for the Mississippi State University football team as spring practice begins:

Carr makes strides to return to MSU football lineup

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University strength coach Matt Balis expects a much less dramatic spring session for wide receiver Michael Carr than in his first tour of duty with the football program.

Baseball Bulldogs rally past Alcorn State

STARKVILLE — It wasn’t how anybody associated with Mississippi State University baseball program planned it but the result was effective.

Sallach moves back to TE coach at MSU

STARKVILLE — Scott Sallach is essentially returning to a spot and place he never left.

When Dan Mullen and Tim Brewster talked last month about the importance of Scott Sallach to the Mississippi State University football staff, they had no idea how correct they were.

MSU announced Monday afternoon that Sallach would return to the field to coach this spring.

Lesson in perseverance for MSU men

STARKVILLE — The 2012-13 season was a numbers game for the Mississippi State University men’s basketball program.

Unfortunately, on most occasions, those numbers weren’t very appealing.

LSU beats MSU to clinch another series

STARKVILLE — According to an old saying, shame on Mississippi State University baseball.

LSU senior first baseman Mason Katz fooled MSU again for a home run after hitting two Friday night at Dudy Noble Field.

Katz took a first-inning fastball from starting pitcher Evan Mitchell deep over the trailers in the left-field lounge to get No. 7 LSU started on the way to a 7-1 victory against No. 13 MSU on Saturday night.

Katz powers LSU past MSU in game one

STARKVILLE — As he watched the bat tower over left-field lounge at Dudy Noble Field on Friday night, Mississippi State University baseball coach John Cohen realized he didn’t make his message clear enough to his pitchers.

Minutes after Cohen went to the mound to remind starting pitcher Jacob Lindgren not to let LSU cleanup hitter Mason Katz beat him with first base open, Lindgren left a changeup over the heart of the plate on a 3-1 count.

Katz didn’t miss the opportunity.

LSU, MSU will kick off SEC slate tonight

STARKVILLE — Welcome to the first true litmus test for the Mississippi State University baseball team.

No. 13 MSU (18-2) will take on No. 7 LSU at 6:30 tonight in game one of its first Southeastern Conference series of the season. The series is one of two (No. 6 University of Mississippi will face No. 11 University of Arkansas) in the league matching top 25 programs.

MSU likely will be without Rea vs. LSU

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University first baseman Wes Rea is still in a lot of pain.

The pain in the sophomore’s quad, an injury he suffered in the opening weekend that has kept him from starting a game since March 1, is so severe that it likely will keep him out of action this weekend when the No. 13 MSU (18-2) plays host to No. 7 LSU (16-1) in the first Southeastern Conference series of the season.

MSU players pack for long SEC tournament trip

STARKVILLE — The motto for Gavin Ware is since this is likely the last trip for the Mississippi State University men’s basketball team, let’s make it last as long as possible.

Bulldogs put on hitting show in rout of Golden Eagles

PEARL — It may be not be long before Hunter Renfroe gets paid professionally to play in Trustmark Park.

Cherry, Bougard go out as champions

STARKVILLE — D’Angelo Cherry is one of the rare people who ended his college career exactly the way he wanted to — the best at what he does.

Bulldogs look to give ball to Pollorena against Golden Eagles

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University coach John Cohen doesn’t gamble and can’t stand the unknown element to athletic competition.

MSU ‘s Lindgren aiming for Friday return to the mound against LSU

STARKVILLE — All signs point to Mississippi State sophomore left-handed pitcher Jacob Lindgren being healthy enough for the Friday night start against Louisiana State University.

Central Arkansas beats MSU again to take series

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University senior catcher Mitch Slauter said the University of Central Arkansas starting pitcher Bryce Biggerstaff “was nothing special.”

The junior right-hander simply used what he had to keep hitters confused and out of character en route to a complete game Sunday in a 7-3 victory against No. 3 MSU.

Central Arkansas snaps MSU’s 17-game winning streak

STARKVILLE — Less than a week before its Southeastern Conference opener, the Mississippi State University baseball team has a major problem.

Suddenly, MSU can’t get a quality pitching start and may be without its most important arm of the season. Both of those facts led to the team’s first loss of the season Saturday against its toughest test in the first month of the season.

COMING FULL CIRCLE: Price always learning at MSU

STARKVILLE — For so many college basketball players the senior day celebration is the end of how fans remember them at all. Baxter Price’s story is just beginning.

Steele back on injury list at MSU

STARKVILLE — Jalen Steele likely said it best about his situation on his Twitter account Thursday afternoon.