Head coach Chris Lemonis is in his seventh season coaching the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and despite a solid start to the season in non-conference play, the Southeastern Conference schedule has not been kind to the Bulldogs.
Mississippi State is 1-8 in SEC play in 2025 so far. This dropped their overall record from 16-4 at the end of non-conference play, to 17-12 at the beginning of April.
Lemonis led Mississippi State to their first national championship in 2021 when they took down the Vanderbilt Commodores. However, the results in the seasons since then have not lived up to the standard that is set for Bulldogs baseball in Starkville.
Since the start of the 2022 season, Mississippi State is 36-63 in SEC play and has made the NCAA Tournament just once since their national championship season. In a program that historically makes the postseason year after year — the Bulldogs have made the NCAA Tournament field 40 times in total — there is cause for concern.
Lemonis has time this season to improve, as there are 26 games left on the 2025 schedule for Mississippi State.
However, a 1-8 start to conference play may have made this a make-or-break season for the head coach in Starkville.
Up Next – Mississippi State will host the South Carolina Gamecocks at Dudy Noble Field this weekend for a three-game series. Both teams are hunting for their first series win in SEC play.
Thus, a series win for the Bulldogs will go a long way in putting their season in the right direction and adding more security to Lemonis’ head coaching position.
The first pitch for the game on Friday, April 4, is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.
Photo: Mississippi State head coach Chris Lemonis argues a balk call with an umpire during an NCAA baseball game against Queens on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
