Former lights-out closer Landon Sims will lead things off on the mound for Mississippi State baseball in 2022, and two unproven pitchers are set to follow behind him.

On Thursday afternoon, MSU released its weekend rotation for the season-opening series with No. 24 Long Beach State at Dudy Noble Field.

Sims will start the opener against the Dirtbags at 2 p.m. Friday. Junior right-hander KC Hunt will start Saturday’s game — a 2 p.m. first pitch — and sophomore righty Cade Smith will start Sunday’s game, which begins at 1 p.m.

Sims had an even 100 strikeouts in 56.1 innings of work in 2021, but he made all 25 of his appearances out of the bullpen. This year, he’ll take on a new role with the Bulldogs forced to replace the entirety of their 2021 weekend rotation.

“I’m really excited for it,” Sims said. “It’s a new challenge. It’s a pretty special spot to be in. I’m very fortunate to be in that situation.”

Behind him are a pair of pitchers who each threw just 15 innings in 2021.

Hunt pitched to a 4.80 ERA, walking eight batters against 14 strikeouts. He threw exactly one inning in every appearance but his last, going two innings in mop-up duty against Vanderbilt in Game 1 of the College World Series final.

Smith struck out 20 batters in his strong 2021 season, issuing 10 walks. He also pitched two innings in Game 1 of the title series, going more than one inning five times during the season. His lone start was May 5 at The Citadel, where he went three scoreless innings and struck out three.

Mississippi State coach Chris Lemonis previously said six players were in contention for the starting rotation, likely including senior Preston Johnson and sophomore Jackson Fristoe. But for now, it’s Hunt and Smith who will follow Sims as the Bulldogs’ season begins.

Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.