Mississippi State and Ole Miss Reveal Spring Baseball Plans

Starkville, MS – Mississippi State University (MSU) and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) have unveiled their ambitious spring baseball schedules for the 2026 season as they prepare for a competitive year ahead. The announcements were made on September 9, 2025, and both teams are gearing up to navigate a challenging landscape in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Under first-year head coach Brian O’Connor, Mississippi State will have a tough road, facing eight SEC opponents who participated in the NCAA Tournament in the previous year, including heavyweights like Arkansas and LSU. Ole Miss, coached by Mike Bianco, will entertain fans at Swayze Field for their home games while also planning a trip to Daikin Park in Texas.

The SEC Tournament is scheduled to be held from May 19 to May 24 in Hoover, Alabama, featuring all 16 teams in the conference. Following the SEC Tournament, the NCAA Regionals will take place from May 29 to June 1, leading into the Super Regionals, which are set for June 5 to June 8. The College World Series in Omaha will conclude the postseason from June 12 to June 22. Adjustments to both teams’ schedules may occur to accommodate television broadcasts, including the possibility of starting some series on Thursday.

Significantly, while Mississippi State and Ole Miss look forward to a new season brimming with potential, the Missouri baseball team is battling through a historic tough patch. Currently, Missouri holds a dismal 0-21 record in SEC play, marking the worst season in the program’s history. This streak has pushed Missouri into discussions about longstanding challenges faced by their baseball program.

The Missouri Tigers recently experienced an eight-game losing streak, most recently being swept in a three-game series against Alabama where they were outscored 26-9. Historical comparisons show that Missouri’s struggles are not isolated; the longest SEC baseball losing streak on record is 24 games by Kentucky. As they prepare for an upcoming home series against Georgia, Missouri must avoid a sweep to steer clear of matching Kentucky’s mark.

This season marks the Tigers’ lowest performance in the SEC’s 30-game schedule history, leading to a poor overall record of 3-27. Head coach Kerrick Jackson, who has a career record of 36-63 at Missouri and 9-42 in SEC play, acknowledges the accountability for the team’s performance and recognizes the program’s structural challenges, including financial constraints and facility limitations. Jackson’s contract is secured through the 2028 season, and he remains dedicated to improving the program.

Missouri’s athletic director, Laird Veatch, has stressed the importance of increased investment in the baseball program to enable the team to compete effectively in the SEC. With the next game against Georgia set to start at 6 PM on Friday at Taylor Stadium, fans will have the opportunity to follow the game live on SEC Network+ and support the team in a critical match.

The 2026 spring baseball season anticipates high-stakes competition, particularly for Mississippi State and Ole Miss, while Missouri seeks to find its footing amidst significant hurdles. As the season unfolds, fans will closely watch how these teams perform and adapt in the highly competitive SEC environment.