Mississippi State’s baseball program received a boost this week as the American Baseball Coaches Association announced its second‑team All‑America selections, honoring three Bulldogs for their standout performances.
A Record‑Setting Season for Ace Reese
Ace Reese continues to rewrite the Bulldogs’ record books, becoming the third player in program history to hit 20‑plus home runs in back‑to‑back seasons. He finished the year with a .336 batting average, 23 doubles, 24 homers and 74 RBIs across 62 games, while also leading the Southeastern Conference in doubles and ranking fourth all‑time in home runs for Mississippi State.
Freshman Sensation Jacob Parker
Jacob Parker burst onto the scene as a freshman, posting 18 home runs, a .339 batting average and 62 RBIs in just 53 games. His impressive production earned him Freshman of the Year honors and a first‑team Freshman All‑American selection from Perfect Game and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Dominant Pitching from Tomas Valincius
Tomas Valincius anchored the weekend rotation with an 11‑2 record, a 3.50 earned run average and 134 strikeouts in 16 starts. He paced the SEC in strikeouts during conference play with 86, underscoring his role as a frontline ace for the Bulldogs.
The accolades extended beyond the three second‑team All‑America selections, as Mississippi State placed six players on the ABCA All‑Region team. The program now boasts 87 all‑time All‑American honorees who have accumulated 174 career recognitions, a testament to the sustained excellence of Bulldog baseball.
Looking Ahead
With a core of emerging talent and a tradition of producing major‑league caliber players, Mississippi State appears poised to remain a powerhouse in the SEC and on the national stage. The recent awards serve as both a celebration of past achievements and a promising indicator of future success.