Series Preview: Mississippi State

As for the baseball, it is certainly meaningful baseball. A Thursday-Saturday slate ahead of the SEC Tournament next week helps provide a little additional rest prior to the single-elimination bracket but definitely makes available personnel interesting for a banged-up Aggie squad.

In the media availability this week, head coach Michael Earley said that usual game two starter Aidan Sims will not throw against the Bulldogs. “He’s had some tightness, and he needs some rest,” the head Aggie said. “We need to make sure he’s ready to go for the long haul.” The junior has an “out” designation on the SEC Availability Report ahead of Thursday’s series opener.

Infielders Boston Kellner and Partida could return this weekend, with each receiving “questionable” and “probable” designations, respectively. Kellner’s return to play would be astonishing, considering just under a week ago he was hit in the face and suffered an orbital facial fracture. The freshman did not require surgery, a positive sign towards a quick recovery. Meanwhile, Partida has missed the last four games due to a hamstring/groin injury that occurred in the Auburn series.

As good as senior Ben Royo was in replacement of Kellner, getting those two freshmen back is mandatory for the Aggies to get back into the offensive rhythm they have created in 2026. If a long, deep postseason run is on the horizon for the Maroon and White, it will be because injuries have healed and the squad is back to full strength.

Looking at Mississippi State, plenty of similarities are present. Both A&M and State played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on the same weekend and saw the same three teams. Additionally, the Bulldogs and Aggies had six common opponents on the SEC schedule. In total, Mississippi State went 14-8 against the same teams A&M played, with the Aggies going 12-8 against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Georgia, LSU, Texas and Auburn).

Should A&M’s offense be healthy and in full form, prepare for some serious offensive numbers. The Bulldogs and Aggies rank second and third in the SEC in batting average, runs scored, RBI, SLG, and OPS. The wind forecast will benefit hitters, helping balls leave the yard at the corner of Bush and Olsen. With three possible slugfests between two of the conference’s top teams and unknown starters in the series finale, it is sure to be a dogfight of a series that will determine positioning in the SEC Tournament. Take a look at the top-10 in the standings:

Eight of these teams will get a bye (play their first game on Thursday), while the top four get a double bye (play in quarterfinals on Friday). Only Georgia has guaranteed a double bye, having already clinched the SEC regular season title last weekend. Welcome to one of the craziest final weekends in the conference in quite some time.
 
The 51st, 52nd, and 53rd overall matchups between the #13 Bulldogs and #10 Aggies are sure to contribute to the craziness in what has been a great year of baseball in the Southeastern Conference.   
 
While the first two games are on SEC Network+, the regular-season finale will have the eyes of the country, kicking off the final day of play at 11:00 a.m. CT on the SEC Network. Note: Thursday’s opener will be one of the featured games on the first-ever regular season edition of ESPN Squeeze Play, the whip-around show usually used for regional and super regional action; the show begins at 5:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and will go to 9:30 p.m.

Probable Starters:

• Thursday: LHP Ethan Darden (4-1, 3.33 ERA) vs. LHP Tomas Valincius (8-2, 2.52 ERA)
• Friday: TBA vs. RHP Duke Stone (6-1, 4.65 ERA)
• Saturday: TBA vs. TBA

Game Info (weather permitting):

• Thursday: 6:00 p.m. on SEC Network+
• Friday: 6:00 p.m. on SEC Network+
• Saturday: 11:00 a.m. on SEC Network