STARKVILLE — Twelve games into the 2024 season, Mississippi State baseball looks like a much different animal compared to its last two seasons following a 2021 national championship.

The 2022 and 2023 campaigns resulted in back-to-back missed trips to the Southeastern Conference tournament in Hoover, let alone missing the NCAA tournament.

However, the mood around the clubhouse and amongst the coaching staff feels different as the Bulldogs find themselves sitting at 8-4 following a weekend sweep of Mount St. Mary’s.

“A sweep is a sweep,” outfielder Connor Hujsak said. “It feels great. The goal every weekend is to win the series. If you can sweep, you gotta take advantage of it. … It’s contagious. I think it’s going to keep us going, keep us rolling. It’s a good feeling all-around.”

Through 12 games, the Bulldogs have allowed 49 runs over 106 innings, walking 35 and striking out 144.

Compared to this point last season, Mississippi State has nearly cut its runs allowed in half and its walks by more than half, from 86 to 49 and from 79 to 35.

That starts and ends with what’s become one of the most well-rounded weekend rotations that the Bulldogs have thrown out in years.

Nate Dohm, Khal Stephen and Jurrangelo Cijntje were dominant against the Mountaineers, each pitching at least six innings while allowing one run or less.

“I think just getting off to a good start in the first inning, getting that first guy and just being able to get my feet down and feel comfortable right there,” Stephen said. “… Having that set the tone scenario from all three games was really special, really good for us.”

The result is something of a domino effect, from the pitching allowing the offense to swing freely and the bullpen to get some rest, to not having to use as many guys over the course of those three games. The defense has been sound through the first quarter or so of the season.

Having committed 65 errors as a team in 2023, Mississippi State has just 10 errors through its first 12 games, led by a cast of players, including freshman Dylan Cupp, who’s shown off his range and hops early on.

“It just builds confidence and having faith in our guys,” Stephen said. “Being able to trust a pitch, understand what you’re doing with that pitch and see our team play through it and make those plays, it’s something that’s strong on our team.”

Coupled with a midweek run-rule victory over Jackson State and a series-clinching win last Sunday over Georgia Southern, the Bulldogs find themselves riding a five-game winning streak.

Winning is contagious, but the Bulldogs need to keep the foot on the gas pedal moving forward as just one weekend series remains before the defending national champions, LSU, come to Starkville to begin Southeastern Conference play on March 15.

“We feel like we’ve had a hiccup here and there,” head coach Chris Lemonis said. “You’re trying to play consistent baseball, bring a consistent product. Putting a consistent product out there is the key.”