News Summary
The Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State baseball rivalry intensifies in 2025 as both teams seek vital NCAA Tournament positioning. Mississippi State faces a resurgence post-coach dismissal, while Ole Miss aims to bolster their record. This pivotal series showcases critical matchups, with both teams striving for dominance and relevance in college baseball.
Starkville, Mississippi – The highly anticipated Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State baseball series in 2025 is looming large, with significant postseason implications for both teams. As the rivalry heats up, Mississippi State is experiencing a revitalization in performance following the recent dismissal of head coach Chris Lemonis, who led the Bulldogs to a national championship in 2021. Currently, Mississippi State holds a 35th position in the RPI and is on a four-game winning streak, marking a turnaround since Lemonis’ departure on April 28.
On the opposing side, the Ole Miss Rebels boast an impressive record of 33-15, including a 13-11 mark in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and are currently ranked 16th in the RPI. This series promises to be a pivotal moment for both squads, as Mississippi State looks to maintain its historical dominance over Ole Miss, having not lost a season series to them in over a decade. The stakes are further elevated as both teams vie for NCAA Tournament placement, adding to the intensity of their long-standing rivalry.
Game 1 of the series is particularly intriguing, featuring Mississippi State’s left-handed pitcher Pico Kohn, who has struggled recently with a 5.92 earned run average (ERA) in his last four starts. In contrast, Ole Miss sends its own lefty, Hunter Elliott, to the mound. Elliott is making his return from Tommy John surgery, carrying a 4.98 ERA away from home. Mississippi State has excelled against left-handed pitchers this season, boasting a national ranking near the top with a .10.89 On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS) against them. A sweep in this crucial series could solidify Mississippi State’s chances for a regional bid, while Ole Miss is looking to bolster its positioning to avoid jeopardizing its NCAA Tournament eligibility.
The significance of this matchup is underscored by the fact that both schools have previously experienced national championship success within the same decade, yet both now find themselves striving for a resurgence in the competitive world of college baseball. On June 5, 2025, Mississippi State hired Brian O’Connor as the new head coach. O’Connor arrives from Virginia with 22 years of experience and an average annual salary of $2.9 million, making him the second-highest paid coach in college baseball.
The financial landscape for Mississippi State’s athletic program is challenging, as it is currently operating at a planned deficit of $7 million for the fiscal year 2024. With the Bulldogs’ baseball program failing to turn a profit since 2011, expenses exceeded revenues by $3.15 million in 2024. Despite these hurdles, Dudy Noble Field, the home of Mississippi State baseball, continues to draw impressive crowds, averaging 11,000 fans per game this season—the highest attendance in the country.
Mississippi State’s athletic director Zac Selmon has emphasized the school’s commitment to investing in the baseball program for sustainable long-term success. This financial commitment comes at a time when changes in revenue-sharing models could lead to higher expenses for athletic departments, further complicating financial scenarios for programs like Mississippi State. Adding to the potential financial strain, the NCAA recently announced an increase in the baseball scholarship cap from 11.7 to 34, which stands to impact overall operational costs.
O’Connor has acknowledged that while financial support is crucial for establishing a winning program, it is not the sole determinant for success. As both teams prepare for this high-stakes rivalry clash, the implications of the series extend beyond the diamond, echoing a struggle for relevance in the evolving landscape of college baseball.
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Additional Resources
- Ole Miss Sports: No. 24 Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Mississippi State
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State Baseball Revenue Sharing
- Hail State: Baseball Series Finale Moved to Saturday Night
- Google Search: Mississippi State baseball
- Wikipedia: Ole Miss Rebels baseball
