Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University News

Ace Reese Shines as Mississippi State’s Star Player

Mississippi State baseball players during a game

News Summary

Mississippi State’s sophomore slugger Ace Reese has excelled this season, earning accolades such as SEC Newcomer of the Year and a place on the All-SEC first team. With remarkable statistics including 21 home runs and 76 hits, Reese has been instrumental in leading the Bulldogs to a strong season. Mississippi State concluded with a record of 34-20, and their recent performance showcases the team’s resilience and competitiveness as they head into the SEC tournament.

Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State’s sophomore slugger Ace Reese has made headlines this season as he was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year and received a spot on the All-SEC first team following an impressive performance during the regular season. Reese is a standout player in the Southeastern Conference, leading the league with 159 total bases and recording significant batting statistics. He ranks second with 18 doubles, 21 home runs, and a slugging percentage of .772 while maintaining a batting average of .369 with 76 hits and 66 RBIs.

Reese’s achievements contribute to Mississippi State’s storied baseball history, which boasts 167 All-SEC honors, making him the 122nd first-team selection. Notably, fellow Bulldogs David Mershon and Khal Stephen were recognized on the All-SEC first team last season, while teammate Dakota Jordan appeared on the second team.

This season, Reese has showcased his exceptional talent with a career-high 21-game hitting streak and has homered in four consecutive games. His offensive prowess is highlighted by recording 24 multi-hit and 20 multi-RBI games this year, placing him among the elite hitters in the SEC.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs concluded their regular season on a high note, sweeping their final series against Missouri, with dominating victories of 25-7, 13-3, and 12-1. This impressive performance marked their first road series sweep since their national championship win in 2021. With a final record of 34-20 overall and 15-15 in SEC play, the Bulldogs earned the No. 11 seed in the upcoming SEC tournament, where they will face No. 14 Texas A&M in Hoover, Alabama.

The Bulldogs have shown remarkable improvement, winning 9 of their last 10 games since the firing of coach Chris Lemonis on April 28. Under interim coach Justin Parker, the team has emphasized the importance of playing complimentary baseball. This focus has resulted in an explosive performance against Missouri, where they scored 25 runs—the most in a single game for Mississippi State since 2010—and set a new program record with eight home runs in one game. The team is now just one home run shy of tying the program record of 98 home runs for a single season.

In addition to Reese’s accomplishments, senior first baseman Hunter Hines made headlines by hitting four home runs in the series and setting a new MSU career home run record. Reese’s upcoming eligibility also draws attention, as he cannot enter the MLB Draft until 2026, which is favorable news for Mississippi State fans hoping to see him continue to develop with the program.

Prior to joining Mississippi State, Reese played at Houston, where he batted .278 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs last season, demonstrating a significant improvement in his performance this year. In SEC-only games, he boasts an exceptional .402 batting average with 15 home runs.

The team experienced injury challenges during the Missouri series, with three position players sidelined, including starting left fielder Gehrig Frei and starting catcher Joe Powell. However, player Nolan Stevens successfully returned to the lineup on May 16 and 17 after being out since April 19. To add to their pitching depth, freshman pitcher Charlie Foster made his return from injury during the final game against Missouri, providing additional bullpen support. Remarkably, the Bulldogs’ pitchers did not issue a single walk in their concluding game against Missouri.

As Mississippi State prepares for the SEC tournament, the team awaits final seeding details based on the outcomes of other games. The Bulldogs look to leverage their recent successes as they aim for further accomplishments in the postseason.