MSU hopes it will be able to keep hitting at Lafayette Regional

STARKVILLE — Southeastern Conference Network analyst Maria Taylor asked Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman a question hoping to elicit a long answer.

Instead, Stuedeman took the simple approach to explain her team’s offensive resurgence.

“It’s the Ricketts effect,” Stuedeman said.

New Hope gets its wish to play Oxford

When Lee Boyd was hired, the New Hope High School baseball program was looking to return to the state’s elite.

In his six seasons as head coach, the Trojans have climbed back to the top of mountain. Apparently, they plan to stay there.

New Hope will face No. 1 Oxford tonight in Game 1 of the best-of-three Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State championship series. This team has shown Boyd has built a program with staying power.

Starkville’s Mattox repeats as two-time champion

STARKVILLE — Kate Mattox strives for perfection.

That is why some parts of the track and field season for this Starkville High School sophomore have been a disappointment.

“I really want to always get better,” Mattox said. “This season has been difficult. I feel like I haven’t performed as well as I wanted to. I was behind some of my personal times. That is really when my sisters and my teammates have picked me up. They have kept me encouraged through the good and the bad times.”

MSU softball team going back to Lafayette, La.

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State senior softball player Julia Echols feels like her team will have a slight home-field advantage this weekend.

“We are excited to be going back to ULL,” Echols said. “I think we have played well down there. It’s close enough that we can have a lot of our fans traveling down there. We are excited to still be playing.

“It’s a huge advantage. When you go somewhere you haven’t been before, you have to get acclimated to the field. This year, we can step in right away and feel at home.”

New Hope ready to face state’s top team

It’s time for the New Hope High School baseball team to take the next step.

Granted, this one will be the team’s toughest.

New Hope (24-5) will play for the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State championship for the fourth-straight season. Top-ranked Oxford (31-0) will be the opponent when the best-of-three series kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Edwin Moak Field in Oxford. Game 2 will be at 7 p.m. Friday at New Hope. If needed, Game 3 would be at 7 p.m. Saturday in Oxford.

New Hope defeats Lewisburg to reach North State finals

New Hope High School got its postseason wish list granted Thursday night.

Bus leaves New Hope baseball players in Lewisburg

Lee Boyd has either played or coached baseball almost his entire life. But the New Hope High School head coach never experienced anything like what he saw Tuesday night.

Starkville sisters excited to compete together once more

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior Walker Mattox is trying to keep her emotions in check this week. After all, Mattox will be competing for

WALTERS: Starkville football in a good place, even after departure of Mitchell

Under bright sunshine and clear skies, a running back broke into the open field. After about a 10-yard gain, a jarring sound could be heard

MSU softball looks to end skid at SEC tournament

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman doesn’t take NCAA regional berths for granted.

However, the fourth-year coach is giddy about this season’s Southeastern Conference tournament.

The expanded 12-team, single-elimination tournament kicks off at 11 a.m. today when No. 10 seed MSU (35-18) takes on No. 7 seed and 13th-ranked Missouri (38-15) in the first of four first-round games at Tiger Park on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The SEC Network will broadcast the games.

New Hope baseball team beats Lewisburg in Game 1

OLIVE BRANCH — New Hope High School senior pitcher Brody Stokes revealed his keys to success Tuesday night.

There were eight.

COLUMN: New Hope off to fast start in playoffs

New Hope High School baseball coach Lee Boyd does not use the phrase “title defense.”

Trojans’ Buckner strong in playoff debut

PEARL — New Hope High School sophomore pitcher Peyton Buckner admits he was nervous before his first postseason start.

The nerves vanished when he saw his teammates ready to lend support.

Stillman pitches shutout, New Hope takes 1-0 series lead

New Hope High School baseball coach Lee Boyd called his infield together to discuss bunt defense.

New Hope wins baseball playoff opener in extra innings

New Hope High School baseball coach Lee Boyd called his infield together to discuss bunt defense.

MSU softball knocks off Memphis in final home game of season

STARKVILLE – Over the weekend, Mississippi State honored its softball seniors playing their final Southeastern Conference games at home.

Starkville High’s Skinner signs with Hinds C.C.

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior Josh Skinner makes friends easily.

He also possesses an ability to shoot a basketball.

Those talents played integral roles in helping Skinner sign a basketball scholarship offer Tuesday with Hinds Community College in Raymond.

Starkville High’s Dunne signs with Millsaps

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior Connor Dunne is still thinking about what career path to choose for a living.

However, he is happy soccer will continue to be a part of his life as he decides his next step.

A standout defender for coach Brian Bennett and the Yellow Jackets, Dunne signed Tuesday to play soccer at Millsaps College in Jackson.

MSU softball ready for Super Bulldog Weekend

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State fourth-year softball coach Vann Stuedeman had a candid observation Wednesday night. “Super Bulldog Weekend has been good to us,” Stuedeman. MSU

No. 22 South Alabama edges MSU softball

STARKVILLE — In a season full of comeback wins, the Mississippi State softball team was on the doorstep again Wednesday night.

However, No. 22 South Alabama slammed the door shut to pull out a dramatic 3-2 win before a crowd of 862 and a national television audience at the MSU Softball Field.