STARKVILLE — Hunter Stovall thought his catching days were behind him when he arrived at Mississippi State.
The freshman was told he was going to be moved back to the infield, something he has played his entire life. But he was thrust back into the catching position after senior Josh Lovelady suffered a season-ending knee injury Feb. 26 against the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He was injured on the first play of the game and Stovall was inserted as the catcher. Although not the backup catcher, MSU coach John Cohen went with Stovall.
Stovall also has played second and third base this season, and he is showcasing his talents as a versatile player. He could get another chance at 6:30 tonight when No. 24 MSU (8-3-1) plays host to South Alabama (9-3) at Dudy Noble Field.
“(Cohen) told me I was the emergency guy, but he never really told me when that was going to be,” Stovall said. “But, of course, an emergency happened and I was ready. That’s all you can do. Yes, I was a little shocked. I wasn’t expecting something like that in the first inning and the first few pitches.”
Stovall replaced Lovelady and caught Dakota Hudson, who is arguably the team’s best pitcher and one of the squad’s toughest to catch. Hudson allowed two hits in six innings to pick up his first win in a 4-2 victory. Stovall hung tough as Vance Tatum and Blake Smith threw the final three innings, with Smith earning his first save.
Stovall has played second base and third base five times each and caught three times. He has played multiple positions in three games.
“If we asked him to go on the mound and just throw strikes, I don’t think he would throw one ball,” junior Gavin Collins said. “He’s a stud. We all love him because he comes to the field ready to rip someone’s head off every day. I’m really proud of him.”
Collins, who caught the past two seasons, was moved to third base in the fall. The plan is to use him sporadically at catcher because of the hamate bone injury he suffered in his catching hand prior to last season. With Collins, Stovall, Lovelady, freshman Elih Marrero, who started opening day, and junior college transfer Jack Kruger, the Bulldogs had five catchers entering the season. Kruger hasn’t caught because of an injury to his throwing arm.
Cohen would like Stovall to focus on infield, but the injuries have forced Stovall to be ready for anything. He caught Hudson on Friday night in a 2-1 loss to UCLA.
“All those little things like calling the right pitches, getting information from (pitching) coach (Wes) Johnson and being able to communicate with our staff, all that’s crucial,” Cohen said.
Offensively, Stovall has been making a case to find him a spot in the lineup. The Pelham, Alabama, native is batting .333 with five doubles and seven RBIs.
Stovall’s versatility and willingness to do what he can to help the team have earned the respect of his teammates, which doesn’t always happen for a freshman.
“He’s done a great job, but I’m not surprised,” junior Jacob Robson said. “He’s a very talented guy, and he’s not afraid of anybody, and he’s willing to step up and do a job and help the team in whatever way possible.”
Stovall and fellow freshman infielder Luke Alexander have been trying to learn every position. Stovall said he began catching in eighth grade, but felt like his future in baseball was in the infield. He said the biggest adjustment to playing infield at MSU from high school is how hard balls come off the bat. He said the mental aspect of the game is biggest obstacle he is trying to overcome.
“The mental part of knowing what to do at every situation,” Stovall said. “It’s fast learning, but coach Cohen and all the coaches have done a great job of explaining how to do everything and putting an emphasis on how being the best that you can at every position you play.”
Stovall feels like the mental part of his game is improving and that he is trying not to think too much when he steps on the field. He said he is blessed to have been given the opportunity to play early on his college career. He doesn’t have a preferred position and doesn’t care where he plays. If that means catching or playing third or second base, he is comfortable because he wants to play.
“Wherever they need me, I’ll go in and play,” Stovall said.
n MSU will start freshman left-hander Kale Breaux (0-1, 8.10 ERA) today. It will be the first career start for the Sulphur, Louisiana, native.
South Alabama, which is coming off a series loss to Middle Tennessee State last weekend, will start senior right-hander Hunter Soleymani (1-0, 3.65 ERA).
n After going 2-1-1 last week, MSU moved up in one poll, stayed steady in two polls, and dropped in three polls.
MSU moved from No. 22 to No. 21 in the Perfect Game poll, stayed at No. 20 in D1Baseball.com’s poll, and stayed at No. 24 in Baseball America’s poll.
The Bulldogs dropped from No. 23 to No. 26 in Collegiate Baseball’s poll, dropped from No. 19 to No. 20 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll, and dropped from a preseason ranking of No. 17 to No. 21 in the first USA Today Coaches poll.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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