Mississippi State takes series from Hofstra with 6-1 win

Strong pitching performances from Tomas Valincius and Brendan Sweeney lead the Diamond Dawgs to victory.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Mississippi State's baseball team secured a series win over Hofstra with a 6-1 victory on Saturday. Tomas Valincius and Brendan Sweeney combined for a dominant pitching performance, allowing just one run on six hits. The Bulldogs' offense provided timely hitting, including a pair of doubles from Ace Reese and an RBI single from Gehrig Frei.

Why it matters

This series win continues Mississippi State's strong start to the 2026 season, building momentum for the team as they look to make a push for the postseason. The pitching performances from Valincius and Sweeney were particularly encouraging, showcasing the team's depth on the mound.

The details

Tomas Valincius made his first career start for the Bulldogs, throwing 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball and striking out six batters. Brendan Sweeney followed with 3.2 innings of relief, surrendering just one run on a solo home run. Offensively, Ace Reese and Bryce Chance each had two hits, with Reese hitting a pair of doubles. Gehrig Frei also came off the bench to deliver an RBI single in the ninth inning.

  • The series win came on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Tomas Valincius

A left-handed pitcher making his first career start for Mississippi State.

Brendan Sweeney

A transfer from South Carolina, Sweeney threw 3.2 innings of relief for the Bulldogs.

Ace Reese

The Bulldogs' outfielder had two doubles in the game.

Gehrig Frei

Came off the bench to deliver an RBI single in the ninth inning.

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What they’re saying

“We got some great pitching performances today that really set the tone. Tomas and Brendan were outstanding, and the offense did just enough to get the job done.”

— Chris Lemonis, Mississippi State Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

Mississippi State will look to complete the sweep of Hofstra in the series finale on Sunday.

The takeaway

Mississippi State's balanced performance on the mound and at the plate led them to a series victory over Hofstra, showcasing the team's depth and providing a strong start to the 2026 season.