After winning 20 conference games and posting a 25-1 non-conference record in the 2019 Regular Season, Mississippi State entered the SEC Tournament as the #4 seed with a first-round bye and a top-8 national seed completely locked up for the NCAA Tournament. Essentially, short of pride, the SEC Tournament meant absolutely nothing for Mississippi State (or Arkansas, Georgia, or Vanderbilt) in 2019.
In their opening game on Wednesday night, Mississippi State took on the #5 seed LSU Tigers, who always seem to care more and play better than anyone else in Hoover. After the Bulldogs blew a 4-2 lead late in regulation, Wednesday's game continued on well into Thursday morning, with Mississippi State defeating the Tigers 6-5 just after 3 am on a walk-off single by Gunner Halter in the bottom of the 17th inning.
The Bulldogs wore the white 85s in the 17-inning win over LSU; this broke the 7-game streak of wearing maroon jerseys in Hoover, which dated back to 2016 (for more on Mississippi State's uniform history in the SEC Tournament, check out the Postseason Baseball Uniform History page). It was also the first time all season that the same uniform had been worn in consecutive non-DH games; the white 85s had also been worn in the regular season finale against South Carolina.
In their opening game on Wednesday night, Mississippi State took on the #5 seed LSU Tigers, who always seem to care more and play better than anyone else in Hoover. After the Bulldogs blew a 4-2 lead late in regulation, Wednesday's game continued on well into Thursday morning, with Mississippi State defeating the Tigers 6-5 just after 3 am on a walk-off single by Gunner Halter in the bottom of the 17th inning.
The Bulldogs wore the white 85s in the 17-inning win over LSU; this broke the 7-game streak of wearing maroon jerseys in Hoover, which dated back to 2016 (for more on Mississippi State's uniform history in the SEC Tournament, check out the Postseason Baseball Uniform History page). It was also the first time all season that the same uniform had been worn in consecutive non-DH games; the white 85s had also been worn in the regular season finale against South Carolina.
| The longest game time-wise in SEC baseball tournament was actually the second time Mississippi State had played a 17-inning game in Hoover in 7 years. Back in 2013, the Bulldogs won a 2-1, 17-inning game over Missouri in the play-in round of the SEC Tournament. The crazy thing is, in that 2013 game, State was wearing the "white 85" design, which not worn in Hoover again until this past Wednesday, when the Bulldogs won yet another 17-inning game. |  |
On Thursday, Mississippi State was matchup up with 1-seed Vanderbilt in the winner's bracket game. This was an interesting matchup, as two top-8 (and likely top-4) national seeds both threw their aces against one another in what was essentially a meaningless game. Ethan Small threw another gem for the Bulldogs, holding the potent Vanderbilt offense to 1 run through 7 innings. However, the State bats were ice cold, and they fell 1-0 to the Commodores. The Bulldogs were the away team in the matchup, and thus wore the maroon 85 jerseys with gray pants. The loss dropped the Bulldogs' 2019 record in the 85 maroon jerseys to 12-4, and 4-2 when paired with the gray pants.
In an elimination game on Friday, Mississippi State had to play LSU once again. This time, the Tigers' Hoover magic showed up, and State was clearly ready to dip out and prepare for their home regional. LSU won the game 12-2 in 7 innings, ending the Bulldogs' 2019 run in Hoover.
As the home team, State wore the white 85s again in their final game in Hoover; the Bulldogs have now worn the white 85s 4 times in the last two weeks, to a 2-2 record against the four best teams they've been worn against this season. As I've mentioned before, I think the white 85s are State's best look, so I'm a huge fan of them seeing more action here lately. The white 85s now have a 9-2 (.818) record in 2019, and at 11 appearances have been worn more than any other combination; only the maroon 85 jerseys have been worn more at 16 appearances.
In an elimination game on Friday, Mississippi State had to play LSU once again. This time, the Tigers' Hoover magic showed up, and State was clearly ready to dip out and prepare for their home regional. LSU won the game 12-2 in 7 innings, ending the Bulldogs' 2019 run in Hoover.
As the home team, State wore the white 85s again in their final game in Hoover; the Bulldogs have now worn the white 85s 4 times in the last two weeks, to a 2-2 record against the four best teams they've been worn against this season. As I've mentioned before, I think the white 85s are State's best look, so I'm a huge fan of them seeing more action here lately. The white 85s now have a 9-2 (.818) record in 2019, and at 11 appearances have been worn more than any other combination; only the maroon 85 jerseys have been worn more at 16 appearances.
With the regular season complete, a handful of Bulldogs took home awards on Monday, including the Ferris Trophy, SEC Pitcher of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, and four first team All-SEC selections.
Jake Mangum won the Ferriss Trophy, awarded to the best baseball player in the state of Mississippi, for the second time in his career (he previously won it as a freshman in 2016). This completed Mississippi State's sweep of the C-Spire "Best of Mississippi" awards; it was the first time ever that all of the awards have been won by players of a single school. Mississippi State has completely dominated the other Mississippi schools in all sports this athletic year, and these awards showcase that pretty clearly.
Jake Mangum won the Ferriss Trophy, awarded to the best baseball player in the state of Mississippi, for the second time in his career (he previously won it as a freshman in 2016). This completed Mississippi State's sweep of the C-Spire "Best of Mississippi" awards; it was the first time ever that all of the awards have been won by players of a single school. Mississippi State has completely dominated the other Mississippi schools in all sports this athletic year, and these awards showcase that pretty clearly.
Mississippi State's 1-2 punch is one of the best in the country for a reason. The Bulldogs' ace, Ethan Small, was named the SEC Pitcher of the Year, to the surprise of no one; Small has clearly been the SEC's premier arm in 2019 and gives Mississippi State a huge advantage heading into the NCAA Tournament. JT Ginn, the Bulldogs' #2 pitcher, was named the SEC Freshman of the Year; Ginn's freshman campaign has lived up to the hype. The 2018 first-round MLB draft pick is an elite arm that gives the Bulldogs a step-up on the competition in game 2 of every series.
In addition to the Pitcher/Freshman of the year honors, Small was also named to the first team All-SEC and Ginn was also named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
In addition to the Pitcher/Freshman of the year honors, Small was also named to the first team All-SEC and Ginn was also named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
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Including the aforementioned Ethan Small, Mississippi State had four players named to the first team All-SEC, matching the total of the 2016 SEC Championship team. Small, Jake Mangum, Justin Foscue, and Tanner Allen received the honor; all four undoubtedly deserved it.
In addition to the Ferriss Trophy and first team All-SEC, Mangum was also named to the SEC All-Defensive team; the SEC's all time hits leader had as good of a senior year as anticipated.
In addition to the Ferriss Trophy and first team All-SEC, Mangum was also named to the SEC All-Defensive team; the SEC's all time hits leader had as good of a senior year as anticipated.
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For the second time since the format was introduced in 1999, Mississippi State will be a top-8 National Seed in the 2019 NCAA Baseball Tournament. That means that the Bulldogs will host a regional, and if they win that, a super regional, at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville. They will not play another game away from home unless they reach the College World Series.
The Bulldogs will find out their exact draw on Monday morning; their next game will be on Friday, as they open the 2019 Starkville Regional against whatever 4 seed they are assigned.
Uniform Models for the 2019 SEC Tournament:
Wednesday v LSU: White 85: #2 Gunner Halter
Thursday v Vanderbilt: Maroon 85 over Gray: #44 Ethan Small
Friday v LSU: White 85: #4 Rowdey Jordan
The Bulldogs will find out their exact draw on Monday morning; their next game will be on Friday, as they open the 2019 Starkville Regional against whatever 4 seed they are assigned.
Uniform Models for the 2019 SEC Tournament:
Wednesday v LSU: White 85: #2 Gunner Halter
Thursday v Vanderbilt: Maroon 85 over Gray: #44 Ethan Small
Friday v LSU: White 85: #4 Rowdey Jordan
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