In the midst of another strong baseball season, two Mississippi State Bulldogs have been selected as finalists for the Ferriss Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top college baseball player in the Magnolia State.
Representing the maroon and white are Ace Reese and Tomas Valincius. Reese, who was a finalist last year, has compiled another stellar season at the plate for the Bulldogs. He leads the SEC with 21 doubles and is third in total bases (143), fourth in RBI (63), fifth in runs (61) and sixth in home runs (18). Reese is also the only Bulldog to start all 52 games this season.
Valincius has proven to be the ace on the mound for Bulldogs as a left-handed hurler. Through 13 starts he’s compiled an 8-2 record with a 2.52 ERA. Valincius’ 105 strikeouts are the second most in the SEC and he’s only walked 16 batters through 75 innings this season.
The Ferriss Trophy will be given out at a ceremony on May 18 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson.
State has had nine players take home the award – the most of any university in the state – since its inception 21 years ago. The former Diamond Dawgs to claim the Ferriss Trophy are Thomas Berkery (2006), Ed Easley (2007), Chris Stratton (2012), Hunter Renfroe (2013), Jake Mangum (2016, 2019), Brent Rooker (2017), Tanner Allen (2021) and Dakota Jordan (2024).
Other finalists for the Ferriss Trophy are Judd Utermark and Cade Townsend of Ole Miss and Grayden Harris of Southern Miss.
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