It truly was a “Super Bulldog Weekend” in Starkville. The Mississippi State baseball team swept a series for the first time since playing Queens March 7-9. The Diamond Dawgs had three successful games versus Kentucky this past weekend, with final scores of 14-4, 6-5, and 6-1. This was also their first SEC sweep since playing Auburn in 2024.
As his first weekend as interim head coach, Justin Parker said he was pleased with the way his players responded to this quick coaching change.
“We’re playing good in all three phases. I’m pleased with how we’re swinging the bat, I’m pleased with how we’re defending,” Parker said. “Our bullpen has been a bit better the last couple days.”
This coaching change did not come easily to the players, but the way they approached it allowed them to secure the win this weekend, according to junior pitcher Ben Davis.
“Really, we just stayed together. Don’t let the distractions get to us and just keep battling on the field, and don’t let anything else get to you,” Davis said.
Davis also mentioned that Coach Parker has recently been a huge asset to the team.
“He’s great, man, he really tells you the truth,” Davis said. “He’s not gonna sugarcoat it, he’ll give it to you the straight way and I mean he’s gonna help you the best he can.”
With it being Super Bulldog Weekend, the fans showed out to support the Diamond Dawgs. Bryce Chance, senior outfielder for the Diamond Dawgs, explained the atmosphere.
“It was electric, especially in the first game,” Chance said. “I thought the fans showed up, they did a great job today, and it just felt like we were at The Dude. I really enjoyed it.”
MSU played Kentucky, home of the Derby, while having its very own Starkville Derby. With fans coming to Starkville for the Derby, the Track & Field meet, Softball vs Ole Miss, and more, Dudy Noble was packed.
Junior infielder Gatlin Sanders said he believes there has been a change of momentum for the team.
“We got a lot of confidence now, hopefully we can keep that going,” Sanders said.
Interim head coach Justin Parker said that this is what SEC baseball is. This season has not been easy on the players or coaches, but Parker sees that they are starting to come together.
“We’ve been through a lot; it’s a tough and resilient group, and they’re proving it,” Parker said. “I think it was just the guys believing in themselves, getting a little bit of a wake-up call and responding to it.”
Sanders attributed the win to the team’s camaraderie.
“I think everybody’s just playing for the next guy, you know, we’re finding a way to win right now,” Sanders said.
The way the Bulldogs played this weekend showed themselves and their fans that they are an SEC team and they can play like one.
The Diamond Dawgs will take a break from a mid-week game this week and face the Ole Miss Rebels this weekend. Ole Miss is ranked No. 23 with a 31-13 record, meaning the Dawgs need to keep their game faces on to finish out the season the way everyone is hoping for.
“We just gotta play good and clean baseball,” Parker said.
