Mississippi State Bulldogs Open 2026 Season with New Coach and Young Rotation

Sophomore pitchers lead the way as Bulldogs look to restore high expectations in Starkville

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Mississippi State Bulldogs open their 2026 baseball season this weekend against Hofstra, ushering in a new era under head coach Brian O'Connor. With a sophomore-heavy starting rotation and experienced bats in the lineup, the Bulldogs aim to build momentum and restore the high expectations that have defined the program in recent years.

Why it matters

Mississippi State is ranked among the nation's top teams in preseason polls, but the Bulldogs understand that talk has a short shelf life. This opening series provides an opportunity for the team to establish its identity under the new coaching staff and prove it can live up to the hype on the field.

The details

The Bulldogs will turn to sophomore right-hander Ryan McPherson to start the opener on Friday, followed by left-handers Charlie Foster and Tomas Valincius on Saturday and Sunday. This young rotation is expected to stabilize the early part of the season, with the coaching staff expressing confidence in their talent and readiness. Offensively, the Bulldogs feature experienced bats like infielder Ace Reese and outfielder Noah Sullivan, who are focused on bringing the program back to its familiar standard of competing for a spot in the College World Series.

  • The 2026 Mississippi State baseball season opens on Friday, February 14th.
  • The Bulldogs host Hofstra for a three-game series from February 14-16.

The players

Brian O'Connor

The new head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, bringing a clear message about standards and accountability as he begins his first season with the program.

Ryan McPherson

Sophomore right-handed pitcher who will start the opening game for the Bulldogs, looking to build on his experience from last season when he worked primarily out of the bullpen.

Charlie Foster

Sophomore left-handed pitcher who returns to Mississippi State after considering turning professional, providing a steady presence at the top of the rotation.

Tomas Valincius

Sophomore left-handed pitcher who transferred to Mississippi State, earning a Sunday start spot and signaling the coaching staff's faith in his readiness to contribute.

Ace Reese

Experienced infielder who returns to the Bulldogs' lineup, expected to be a central figure in the team's run production this season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If that's what we are, we will earn that on the field and that's earned every day.”

— Brian O'Connor, Head Coach (si.com)

“We're going to have one of the better rotations in college baseball, from a talent standpoint.”

— Bryce Chance, Senior Outfielder (si.com)

“It's really important to me to win. We need to bring the standard back to Mississippi State … playing in Omaha for a national championship.”

— Noah Sullivan, Infielder (si.com)

What’s next

The Bulldogs will look to build momentum and establish their identity over the course of the three-game series against Hofstra this weekend, with the goal of positioning themselves for a strong run through SEC play and a return to the College World Series in Omaha.

The takeaway

Mississippi State's 2026 season opener marks the start of a new era for the Bulldogs, with a fresh coaching staff and a young but talented roster aiming to restore the program's high expectations and championship-caliber play. The early focus will be on developing consistency, discipline, and a winning culture as the Bulldogs seek to reclaim their place among the nation's elite college baseball teams.