Local sports calendar, TV listings for May 3-4
SPORTS CALENDAR Friday PREP SOFTBALL 6 p.m.: Caledonia at Itawamba Agricultural (Playoffs, Game 1) COLLEGE BASEBALL 6 p.m.: Alabama at Mississippi State 6 p.m.: Ole
Evaluating Mississippi State’s successes, needs in spring transfer portal window
Jeff Lebby was very direct after Mississippi State’s spring game in talking about the Bulldogs’ areas of need.
Vaughn bringing ‘win now’ mentality to Owls’ women’s basketball
COLUMBUS — Mississippi University for Women announced Eric Vaughn as its new women’s basketball head coach on Monday, introducing a new era of the program centered on bringing wins back to campus.
New Hope hosts baseball and softball playoffs on Thursday night
NEW HOPE — Both New Hope baseball and softball teams are set to host again in the second round of the playoffs, with the Game 1 matchups moved to Thursday in anticipation of bad weather on Friday.
Baseball: Mississippi State rallies late to claim Governor’s Cup with win over Ole Miss
PEARL — Connor Hujsak read the ball in the dirt, saw it bounce far away from Ole Miss catcher Eli Berch and decided to go for
Dreams Realized: Gravity of NFL Draft call still sinking in for Cedric Johnson
Cedric Johnson found it nearly impossible to sit by the television for the entirety of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Down to its last strike, Mississippi State salvages series finale at Missouri
One strike away from being on the wrong end of a deflating sweep, Mississippi State picked itself up off the mat at the last possible moment.
Young Cavaliers team keeps rolling, into third round of playoffs
CALEDONIA — It was a joyful scene when the ball hit Camryn Higginbotham’s glove for the final out of Monday night’s MHSAA 4A Region 3 second-round playoff series.
Owls’ men’s golf earns first-ever conference championship, berth in D-III tournament
METAMORA, Ill. – It took a record-breaking effort and a dominant performance on the last day, but the Mississippi University for Women men’s golf team won the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) championship going away, thanks to a 10-under-par team aggregate in the final round. The Owls were five shots clear of runner-up, and 6-time defending SLIAC champ, Webster University, thanks to all five of its team members finishing in red numbers on Tuesday.
Mississippi State receivers Craver, Harrell arrested for marijuana, alcohol possession
Two Mississippi State freshman wide receivers, Mario Craver and JJ Harrell, were arrested Monday for possession of marijuana in a vehicle and possession of beer by a minor, according to records from the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office.
Mississippi State earns No. 16 national seed, will host NCAA regional
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State assistant coach Jake Jacoby had run the numbers and was fairly certain the Bulldogs had done enough to earn a national seed and host an NCAA regional.
Office Hours: Saturdays in the park (and Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays)
As April turns to May, an evening ritual is in full swing for many area families.
Mississippi State hires Samantha Williams as assistant coach
Mississippi State head coach Sam Purcell made his third addition to the Bulldogs’ coaching staff this offseason, hiring former Tennessee assistant Samantha Williams as an assistant coach.
Three Ole Miss players selected in 2024 NFL Draft
Former Ole Miss cornerback Deantre Prince has been drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (153rd overall). Prince was one of three Rebels invited to the NFL Combine this year, joined by edge rusher Cedric Johnson and safety Daijahn Anthony. It’s the fourth year in a row an Ole Miss player has been selected in the draft.
Three Mississippi State defensive players selected in 2024 NFL Draft
Three Mississippi State players — one from each level of the defense — were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, making it 15 consecutive years that the Bulldogs have had at least one draftee.
Heritage falls in playoff series against Wayne Academy
WAYNESBORO — Heritage Academy baseball saw its season come to a close on Friday with a series loss to Wayne Academy.
Vaughn tapped as Owls’ new women’s basketball coach
COLUMBUS — Mississippi University for Women announced Eric Vaughn as its new women’s basketball head coach on Monday.
Starkville swept in first-round playoff series
STARKVILLE — Facing a Lewisburg team with six NCAA Division I signees, Starkville (14-15) did all it could in Friday night’s MHSAA 7A playoff opener. But shaky defense from the Yellow Jackets in the sixth inning helped lead to two runs for the Patriots, which made the difference a 4-2 Starkville defeat. A 9-3 Game 2 loss to the Patriots in Lewisburg on Saturday saw the Jackets fall out of the playoffs.
What we learned about Ole Miss following its series loss to Alabama
OXFORD — Two years ago, “7-14” became a springboard for Ole Miss baseball. This time around, head coach Mike Bianco is still searching for the qualities that made the 2022 squad so special in this year’s team. Namely, consistency.
Trojans sweep away first-round opposition
NEW HOPE — There was no need for Friday night lights in New Hope despite the playoff doubleheaders in both softball and baseball. The games started just after 4 p.m. and were done before the sun went down as both Trojan teams swept the opposition away.