Mississippi State baseball is projected to host an NCAA Tournament regional despite a 2-2 week against ranked teams. The No. 11 Bulldogs currently hold a 36-12 record.
Key points
Mississippi State baseball projected to host NCAA Tournament regional
Team has a record of 36-12
Defeated No. 23 Ole Miss in the Governor's Cup
Lost two of three games at No. 4 Texas
Next game against Nicholls State on May 5
Mississippi State baseballOle MissTexasAuburn
Where Mississippi State baseball stands in updated NCAA Tournament bracket projections
STARKVILLE ā A 2-2 week against ranked teams still has Mississippi State baseball projected to host an NCAA Tournament regional.
They play Nicholls State (25-22) next at Dudy Noble Field on May 5 (6 p.m., SEC Network+) before a home series against No. 6 Auburn from May 7-9.
MSU, under first-year coach Brian O'Connor, is attempting to host its first regional since 2021.
Here's where Mississippi State stands in the latest NCAA Tournament bracket projections with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
Peyton Squyres, 5, rests in his dadās lap, Eric Squyres, during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Q&A
What is Mississippi State baseball's current record?
Mississippi State baseball has a current record of 36-12.
Who did Mississippi State baseball defeat in the Governor's Cup?
Mississippi State baseball defeated No. 23 Ole Miss in the Governor's Cup.
When is Mississippi State baseball's next game?
Mississippi State baseball's next game is against Nicholls State on May 5 at 6 p.m.
What teams will Mississippi State baseball face after Nicholls State?
After Nicholls State, Mississippi State baseball will face No. 6 Auburn from May 7-9.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
Mississippi State head coach Brian O'Connor answers questions from members of the press after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State players hold up the Governorās Cup after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State outfielder Vytas Valincius (14) shakes hands with teammates before a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Ole Miss players anticipate the pitch while playing defense during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State outfielder Bryce Chance (38) swings for the ball during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State pitcher Peyton Fowler (32) pitches during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
A āBeat Ole Missā pin is seen on the net during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State pitcher Dane Burns (45) high-fives teammates after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State head coach Brian O'Connor stands in the middle of a huddle after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State players pose with the Governorās Cup after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Fans wait for autographs from Mississippi State players after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Fans hand hats and baseballs to Mississippi State utility player Noah Sullivan (18) for autographs after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
1 / 13
See our best photos of April 2026, from high school proms to baseball and softball
Peyton Squyres, 5, rests in his dadās lap, Eric Squyres, during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
1 / 13
See our best photos of April 2026, from high school proms to baseball and softball
Peyton Squyres, 5, rests in his dadās lap, Eric Squyres, during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
2 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Mississippi State head coach Brian O'Connor answers questions from members of the press after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
3 / 13
See our best photos of April 2026, from high school proms to baseball and softball
Mississippi State players hold up the Governorās Cup after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
4 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Mississippi State outfielder Vytas Valincius (14) shakes hands with teammates before a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
5 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Ole Miss players anticipate the pitch while playing defense during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
6 / 13
See our best photos of April 2026, from high school proms to baseball and softball
Mississippi State outfielder Bryce Chance (38) swings for the ball during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
7 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Mississippi State pitcher Peyton Fowler (32) pitches during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
8 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
A āBeat Ole Missā pin is seen on the net during a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
9 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Mississippi State pitcher Dane Burns (45) high-fives teammates after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
10 / 13
See our best photos of April 2026, from high school proms to baseball and softball
Mississippi State head coach Brian O'Connor stands in the middle of a huddle after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
11 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Mississippi State players pose with the Governorās Cup after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
12 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Fans wait for autographs from Mississippi State players after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
13 / 13
Ole Miss baseball vs Mississippi State in Governor's Cup see our best photos
Fans hand hats and baseballs to Mississippi State utility player Noah Sullivan (18) for autographs after a college baseball game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss in the Governorās Cup 7-3.
Mississippi State baseball NCAA Tournament projections
Aria Gerson of The Tennessean has Mississippi State projected as the No. 8 national seed to host a regional. Also in the regional are No. 2 seed West Virginia, No. 3 Virginia Tech and No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana.
D1Baseball lists MSU as the No. 10 national seed paired with No. 2 West Virginia, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana.
Baseball America projects Mississippi State as the No. 11 national seed. The other teams in the Starkville Regional would be No. 2 seed West Virginia, No. 3 East Carolina and No. 4 Army.
Mississippi State NCAA Tournament resume
Mississippi State's RPI is No. 9 nationally as of May 5, up three spots from the prior week.
The Bulldogs are 9-9 in Quad 1 games, 5-3 in Quad 2 and 22-0 in Quads 3 and 4. They are ranked No. 12 in strength of schedule.
Mississippi State baseball NCAA Tournament history under Brian O'Connor
O'Connor is a first-year coach at Mississippi State, so it hasn't played in the NCAA Tournament with him. MSU won the 2021 national championship under coach Chris Lemonis, but he was fired during the 2025 season.
Mississippi State has made the NCAA Tournament in the last two seasons as No. 2 seeds, losing in the Charlottesville Regional final and the Tallahassee Regional final.
O'Connor was the Virginia coach for 22 seasons, reaching 18 NCAA Tournaments, nine super regionals, seven College World Series and winning the 2015 national championship.
Sam SklarĀ is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
