Opening Day at Dudy Noble Field is always a special day for Bulldogs fans as it signifies the start of another Mississippi State Baseball season. This year is no different, as the Bulldogs welcomed the Jaspers of Manhattan to Dudy Noble Field for a unique Opening Day doubleheader. Starting early on Friday morning, the smell of the Left Field Lounge and melodic echos of cowbells came together perfectly, signaling the start of the 2025 Mississippi State Baseball season.

Entering the doubleheader against Manhattan, the Bulldogs were focused on a strong start to the season, looking to build momentum for the upcoming season.

As anticipated, the first game between the Jaspers and Bulldogs displayed dominance. Mississippi State took an early lead and maintained it throughout the game, securing a resounding 17-3 victory over Manhattan.

Pico Kohn got the nod for the starting pitcher role in the first game, pitching a full five innings, giving up one hit, no runs, on eleven strikeouts. Kohn was excellent in the first game; Manhanttan had no answer for him in his five innings of work. Coming in for a relief pitching stint was Charlie Foster, who went for an entire inning while striking out two batters out of three. Coach Lemonis would go to the bullpen again, bringing Jacob Pruitt to close out game one for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Despite giving up two runs, the Bulldogs would close out game one by a margin of 17-3.

With seventeen runs on the board, the offense in game one was off the charts for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, with three guys with home runs in game one. Ace Reese, Hunter Hines, and Aaron Downs were the three Bulldogs with home runs in the first game on Friday.

Forty minutes following the conclusion of game one, the Mississippi State Bulldogs would once again take the field against the Jaspers of Manhattan, looking to take the Opening Weekend series to set up an opportunity on Sunday to go for the sweep.

Despite falling behind 1-0, Mississippi State rolled Manhattan in game two to win the doubleheader and the overall series. Reed Stallman would slam the door shut on the Jaspers in the bottom of the 7th, walking it off with a three home run to give Mississippi State the series and a 13-1 win over Manhattan.

In game two, Karson Ligon got the start for the Bulldogs, going four complete innings, with eight strikeouts, on four hits and one run. Ben Davis would get the ball in the 5th. Davis gave the Bulldogs two innings, one hit, with four strikeouts, paving the way for Chase Hungate to finish the job for the Bulldogs in the 7th.

Mississippi State will go for the sweep over the Jaspers of Manhattan with a 1:00 first pitch on Sunday afternoon.

Photo Credits – Mississippi State Baseball on X