MISSISSIPPI STATE-LA. TECH SCRIMMAGE
• This should come as no surprise considering what they did from a power standpoint last season, but Mississippi State’s Dakota Jordan and Hunter Hines were impressive in a 10-5 game one win over Louisiana Tech. Both sluggers showed premium power, while Ross Highfill got into power party with a three-run home run of his own.
• Amani Larry also had a productive afternoon for the MSU offense, while freshman Dylan Cupp and David Mershon were both impressive from a defensive standpoint. Cupp is one of the top freshmen to head to college this fall.
• In terms of newcomer arms, we got good reports on Khal Stephen, who transferred to MSU from Purdue, while one of the more intriguing newcomer arms in the country, Cam Schuelke, also was intriguing. Schuelke has a hard-nosed approach and attacks hitters from a nasty, underneath angle. Miami transfer Karson Ligon, who will be one of the more experienced arms in the SEC in 2024, also impressed.
• In terms of returning arms for the Bulldogs, to no surprise, two-way pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje was impressive in his limited work, while Colby Holcombe, who has a sturdy build and a big-time arm, showed good stuff with improved command. That could be a game changer for Holcombe as we look ahead to the 2024 campaign.
• Speaking of hard-nosed, MSU righthanded pitcher Nate Dohm had a good showing in the scrimmage against Louisiana Tech. Though the Bulldogs got some good swings off him, he still had premium velocity with electric overall stuff. One more arm — Logan Forsythe — left a good mark during the scrimmage. Forsythe worked just 6.1 innings for the Bulldogs last season, but was clean and has a solid inning over the weekend.
• Tennessee transfer righthanded pitcher Turner Swistak pitched well for La Tech, sitting 91-93 mph with his fastball, while also peppering the zone with strikes. Meanwhile, junior college transfer Nate Crider was consistently 91-93 mph with his fastball, along with a swing and miss 85 mph slider. Furthermore, Wingate (NC) transfer hurler Sam Brodersen was 91-94 mph with his fastball, along with a plus slider and quality splitter. Finally, keep an eye on freshman Hayden Harmon, who was 90-93 mph with his fastball along with a swing and miss slider.
• Senior righthander Ethan Bates also stood out in the scrimmage. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, was 91-93 mph with his fastball, along with a solid 83-85 mph slider and a big-time changeup. Sources say Bates missed a lot of bats. Speaking of Bates, he also had a big day at the plate with a mature offensive approach and a two-run home run.
• In some interesting news, veteran backstop Jorge Corona missed the scrimmage after having Tommy John surgery earlier this year. Karson Evans assumed the role. As for Corona, he should be back in action for the scrimmage against Auburn in a few weeks.
• Dalton Davis showed a mature offensive approach and had two doubles in the scrimmage, Mike Ballard was terrific defensively at shortstop and had three hits in game one, while Kasten Furr, a New Orleans transfer, was strong up the middle and showed some strength with a two-run home run.
