Mississippi State Baseball got underway over the weekend with a series win over Air Force at Dudy Noble Field in front of record-breaking attendance numbers and a lot of enthusiasm for the 2024 season. However, as Tuesday night rolled around and the visiting Austin Peay Governors recorded the final outs in the second-season loss for Mississippi State and sat in with the fan base, the online conversation shifted to writing off this season’s outcome just four games in. Frustrations this early in the season are premature and only backed by fans who don’t seem to grasp that baseball is a long season filled with many highs and lows.

Unlike in other sports, losing to Austin Peay on a random Tuesday night at the start of the season doesn’t immediately signal doomsday. Losing this early can only help a program like Mississippi State in the long run. Iron the wrinkles early before facing the grueling Southeastern Conference slate in early March. For those crying about the loss on Tuesday night, Wednesday night is coming from Mississippi State to seek revenge on Austin Peay in game two of the mini mid-week series before welcoming Georgia Southern to Dudy Noble Field for a three-game weekend slate starting on Friday afternoon on the SEC Network Plus.

From a baseball perspective, Mississippi State is killing it on the mound through four games, giving up four runs on minimal hits, a complete 180 from where Mississippi was last season with horrendous pitching that put the Bulldogs behind the eight ball in 2023. Coach Chris Lemonis made it a point to improve Mississippi State pitching by hiring Justin Parker from South Carolina.

On the offensive side, Mississippi State has shown signs of life, with eighteen runs scored in the two wins this season. Eight runs were scored on Friday afternoon, while ten came on Sunday over Air Force. Mississippi State scored four combined runs in the two losses, two in each game. Mississippi State has the guys to light up the scoreboard and to compete for another National Championship. It just takes some time to figure out the best combination that gives Mississippi State the best chance at winning.

Overall, things might feel bleak tonight on Tuesday night, February 20th, but the Mississippi State Bulldogs will be fine. Give it time, and the Bulldogs will return to playing baseball by the standard Mississippi State fans expect from the boys wearing Maroon and White.