Mississippi State Players Recognized as Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalists

Mississippi State baseball players competing in a game

News Summary

Two standout players from Mississippi State University, Ace Reese and Noah Sullivan, have been named semifinalists for the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy, honoring the top collegiate baseball players. Reese boasts an impressive .371 batting average, while Sullivan maintains a .346 average, both demonstrating exceptional performances this season. The finalists for the award will be announced on June 7, with the winner revealed on June 13, showcasing their remarkable contributions to the Mississippi State baseball team.

STARKVILLE, Mississippi – Ace Reese and Noah Sullivan, two standout players from Mississippi State University, have been recognized as semifinalists for the highly regarded Dick Howser Trophy, which honors the top collegiate baseball player each season.

Reese, a sophomore third baseman from Canton, Texas, has made significant contributions to the Diamond Dawgs, boasting a current batting average of .371. This impressive average places him second in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Over the course of the season, Reese has recorded 78 hits, 66 RBIs, 18 doubles, and 21 home runs, along with a .767 slugging percentage. Notably, he also leads the SEC with 161 total bases and has established a notable 22-game hitting streak, the longest in the SEC this season. His consistent performance includes 25 multi-hit games and 20 multi-RBI games.

Sullivan, a junior outfielder and right-handed pitcher from Orlando, Florida, has also enjoyed a remarkable season. He has started all 55 games this year and currently holds a batting average of .346. Sullivan has amassed 15 doubles, 13 home runs, and 43 RBIs, ranking fourth in the SEC for his on-base percentage of .479. On the mound, he has made seven starts with a stellar 1.96 earned run average, striking out 15 batters while issuing just three walks over 18 1/3 innings. Additionally, Sullivan holds a 33-game reached-base streak, the longest for the team in the current season.

Mississippi State is among five SEC schools that have multiple players named among the impressive 67 semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy. The other schools include Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas. Finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy will be announced on June 7, while the winner will be unveiled on June 13 at 9:30 a.m. during a broadcast on MLB Network.

Reese’s season highlights include being named SEC Player of the Week after an exceptional performance against Missouri, where he hit four home runs and scored 11 runs over one weekend. He has also received accolades as a First Team All-SEC selection and was honored with the SEC Newcomer of the Year.

As the Bulldogs prepare for the NCAA Tournament, both Reese and Sullivan are expected to be pivotal in their team’s performance. Mississippi State began the season strong, winning their first three games, and has maintained momentum heading into the SEC Tournament by winning nine out of their last ten games. With their standout performances, Reese and Sullivan have showcased their skills and resilience, asserting themselves as key players for the Mississippi State baseball program.