O'Connor Wins MSU Coaching Debut

Friday, February 13

Starkville

4 p.m.

Mississippi State

1-0

Hofstra

0-1

Hofstra

Mississippi State

Photo by: Mike Mattina/MSU Athletics

O'Connor Wins MSU Coaching Debut

February 13, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

STARKVILLE — The Brian O'Connor era opened with a win.

In his debut as head coach of Mississippi State, O'Connor guided the Bulldogs to a 6–5 victory over Hofstra on Friday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field, delivering his first win at the helm in front of record-setting opening-day crowd of 12,824.

Mississippi State (1-0) managed just three hits but capitalized on patience and situational execution, drawing eight walks and taking advantage of wild pitches and defensive miscues to manufacture runs.

Trailing 2–0, the Bulldogs broke through in the fourth with a four-run rally despite recording only two hits in the frame. Reed Stallman delivered the decisive blow, lacing a two-run double down the line to put State in front. The Bulldogs added two more runs via walks, a wild pitch, and aggressive baserunning to seize a 4–2 lead.

Stallman finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, accounting for half of Mississippi State's scoring output. Ace Reese added two hits and scored twice, while Gehrig Frei reached base twice and scored a key insurance run.

Hofstra (0-1) showed resilience, collecting 10 hits and briefly tying the game in the fifth when Danny Corona doubled home a run.

Mississippi State answered immediately in the bottom half. After Reese reached and moved into scoring position, Stallman drew a walk to load the bases, and another free pass forced home the go-ahead run. A subsequent bases-loaded walk pushed the lead to 6–3.

Despite being outhit 10–3, the Bulldogs' ability to control the strike zone and force Hofstra pitching into deep counts proved decisive.

Right-hander Ryan McPherson started and worked four innings, allowing two runs while striking out four. Duke Stone (1-0) earned the win in relief with two steady middle innings.

Ben Davis closed the door with a three-inning save, allowing just one run while striking out five to halt Hofstra's late push.

Hofstra plated single runs in the seventh and ninth, but Davis stranded the tying run opportunity to secure the victory.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday with a doubleheader to conclude the series. First pitch is slated for noon with the finale slated to start 45 minutes following the first game. Sophomore southpaws Charlie Foster and Tomas Valincius are slated to start on the mound for MSU on Saturday while the Pride counter with senior right-hander Sean Hamilton and sophomore righty Christian Rasmussen.

Both games will be streamed on SEC Network +.

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