Polls:
Baseball America Top 25 -- Collegiate Baseball Top 25 -- USA Today/ESPN Top 25 -- The Sporting News Top 25

11/23/99 Go here to view pictures of the Dudy Noble / Polk-DeMent Stadium expansion.

11/30/99 (10:45 a.m.)

STARKVILLE, Miss. --- Mississippi State University has signed shortstop/third baseman Brent Lewis of Germantown, Tenn., to a national letter of intent, MSU head baseball coach Pat McMahon announced Monday.

The 6-0, 200-pound left-handed hitting infielder starred the last four years for coach Jim Carter at Jackson Christian School in Jackson, Tenn. Lewis earned all-state honors the past two seasons, hitting a sizzling team-best .551 as a junior and .578 his sophomore season. He will close out his prep baseball career next spring at Germantown (Tenn.) High School.

"We're looking forward to having Brent join the Mississippi State family," said coach McMahon. "He's a hard-nosed player with tremendous work ethic. Brent is an outstanding left-handed power hitter who will be a valuable addition to our lineup."

Lewis, who hit a team-leading 12 home runs in 1999 playing summer league baseball with the Memphis Tigers, earned all-district honors the past three seasons and was named team MVP and JCS Offensive Player of the Year, pacing the Eagles with 16 home runs and 60 RBI. He was accorded honorable mention USA-Today All-USA plaudits after hitting .578 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI his sophomore season in 1998. He started all 37 of his team's games and piled up a career-best 66 RBI in his freshman campaign, helping JCS to a runner-up finish in the 1997 state tournament.

"I feel like all of my hard work over the years has paid off with this opportunity to play baseball at Mississippi State," Lewis said. "I was impressed with so much about the baseball program there, especially the people associated with the program. I know I'm going to love it there."

A member of the Jackson Christian School's varsity basketball and football teams., Lewis also excelled in academics. He is an honor roll student and as a junior earned a National English Merit Award and was honored as a USAA All-American Scholar.

The MSU baseball signee is the son of Phil and Francie Lewis of Germantown, Tenn.

Source: MSU Sports Media Department

11/23/9 - Click here to view the latest pictures of the Dudy Noble / Polk-DeMent Stadium expansion.

11/19/99 - MSU's first signee, Reed Hawkins of Tupelo (see official release below), led the Mississippi Stars, a fall high school all-star baseball team, in homers with 4, sac flies with 3 and was second in RBIs with 19. Reed batted .259 (15 of 58).

11/19/99

STARKVILLE, Miss. --- Mississippi State University has signed Reed Hawkins of Tupelo, Miss., to a national letter of intent, MSU head baseball coach Pat McMahon announced Thursday.

The 5-10, 195-pound switch-hitting catcher/infielder at Tupelo High School, led coach Larry Harmon's Golden Wave with a .402 batting average as a junior. At the plate he drove in 31 runs and legged out 11 doubles while helping lead THS to a 30-6 record, a divisional crown and a semi-final finish in the 1999 state baseball playoffs. He also compiled a 4-0 record on the mound with a 2.63 ERA en route to Jackson Clarion-Ledger All-State, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal All-Area and team MVP honors.

"We are very excited to have Reed joining the Mississippi State baseball program," said coach McMahon. "He's been well-schooled in baseball playing for one of the state's top coaches, Larry Harmon. His athleticism and baseball background make him an outstanding addition to the baseball program at Mississippi State."

Hawkins, tabbed the best hitter in the 30-team 1999 USA Classic in Millington, Tenn., last season, has also distinguished himself on defense. As a sophomore he earned the team's Gold Glove Award after committing just one error and throwing out 10 of 11 baserunners as the THS catcher. He also helped power his Tupelo team to the Senior American Legion state playoffs the past two summers and was a three-year member of the touring Mississippi Stars fall baseball team.

"It's been a lifelong dream of mine to be a Bulldog, and I'm overwhelmed at getting this opportunity," Hawkins said.

The MSU baseball signee is the son of Don and Donna Hawkins of Tupelo.

Source: MSU Media Relations

11/18/99 - According to the Vicksburg Evening Post (print edition), Robbie Goodson has signed a baseball scholarship with MSU. He is a 6-3, 225 pd "fireballer" from Vicksburg High School. Last year he was 4-2 with 96 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. He throws a 92 mph fastball and is also good hitter (.547, 7 homeruns, 39 rbi last year). He chose MSU over Ole Miss and LSU. This past summer he was named a finalist for a roster spot on the U.S. Junior National Team.

Robbie has the potential to be a very high draft pick this summer, according to my sources.

11/18/99 - Florida native Lindsay Nelson became the third of five expected early-signing period commitments for the Mississippi State softball program as the middle infielder inked her name to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Kathy Arendsen announced Wednesday morning.

Nelson joins Nacogdoches, Texas, native Iyhia McMichael and Kingwood, Texas, native Jennifer Waterman on the Bulldogs' list of early commitments. The total is expected to be raised to five during the course of the next week.

"Lindsay brings a lot of leadership and versatility to our team," Arendsen said. "She's just a great kid. She is a product of outstanding high school and club programs. She is also a solid hitter with an excellent glove."

Nelson will look to continue on an already outstanding softball career. During her junior campaign at Orange Park High School, the shortstop/second baseman hit .362 with eight RBI, 16 runs scored and laid down 17 sacrifice bunts. Her fielding prowess also allowed Orange Park to take home the District Championship, tie for the 6A Conference Title and advance to the Elite Eight in Regional Play.

Individually, Lindsay garnered All-Conference Florida Star Conference honors and was named to the All-First Coast First Team for the second consecutive season. She was also voted by her teammates as the Most Valuable Defensive Player and received the Scholar Athlete award from her high school athletic director.

In her last stint with the Orange Park Storm summer travel team, she hit .320 with 13 RBI, 42 runs scored and 24 sacrifice bunts to help lead the Storm to seven tournament championships during the summer of 1998. Her .973 fielding percentage also helped the team to a third-place finish at the Colorado Fireworks tournament.

A three-sport star, Nelson also collected individual accolades in the sports of volleyball and basketball at Orange Park. She also participates in several community service projects in the Orange Park area.

Source: MSU Media Relations

11/18/99 - Mississippi State softball head coach Kathy Arendsen announced the signing of the second of five expected athletes Tuesday afternoon when Jennifer Waterman provided her autograph on a National Letter of Intent to play for the Bulldogs.

"Jennifer is a very strong and competitive player," Arendsen said. "She is also a team player that will address one of our biggest needs at the catcher position. She is an excellent hitter and a very strong power hitter. I have no doubts that she is an outstanding player that will bring a lot to this team."

The catcher/first baseman makes the trek to Starkville with an impeccable resume. In a smooth transition after transferring to Scottsdale, Ariz., from her original home in Kingwood, Texas, Waterman immediately burst onto the Arizona prep scene during her sophomore year, shattering a Desert Moutain High School record by recording a .405 clip with four homers, five triples, seven doubles and 19 RBI - tops on the team in every category - en route to leading Desert Mountain to its first-ever playoff appearance.

Following the campaign she was named Desert Mountain's Most Valuable Player while garnering First Team All-5A Northwest Region, First Team All-Scottsdale and Second Team All-Arizona honors all as a catcher.

As a member of the Lil Saints 16 and under travel squad later that same season, Waterman collected impressive numbers, recording a team-high .559 slugging percentage, 31 doubles and seven RBI while hitting .382 with a .568 on-base percentage in leading the Lil Saints to a 41-3-3 record.

After an impressive campaign with both DMHS and the Lil Saints, Waterman made the move back to Kingwood for her junior year and played part time at first base, but still managed to take home Second Team All-District honors. Heading into the playoffs, Waterman took over the starting role at first base and helped lead the Mustangs to a 26-4 record and an eventual spot in the Regional Final.

She is currently playing travel ball with the Texas Heat and coach Bill Hendrix, splitting time at catcher and first base while hitting cleanup for a team that finished 9th at last summer's ASA Gold Nationals.

Source: MSU Media Relations

11/12/99 (2:00 p.m.) -

(AP) - Adam Piatt, a third baseman in the Oakland Athletics farm system, won the minor league player of the year award on Friday. Piatt played most of last season for Midland in the Double-A Texas League. He won the league's first triple crown in 72 years with a .345 batting average, 39 home runs and 135 RBI. Piatt was promoted to Vancouver at the end of the season and helped the Canadians to the Triple-A championship. It's the second straight year an Oakland minor leaguer has won the honor. Eric Chavez, also a third baseman, won in 1998. Previous winners include Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees in 1994.

11/11/99 -

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University softball coach Kathy Arendsen announced Wednesday afternoon the signing of Nacogdoches, Texas, native Iyhia McMichael to a National Letter of Intent to play at Mississippi State next season.

"Iyhia is a great athlete that has the ability to help us in a number of positions," said Mississippi State head coach Kathy Arendsen. "She comes from an outstanding high school and travel ball program. I expect she'll step in and contribute right away.

"She can run, throw, hit, hit with power and has a great attitude. She has all the tools necessary to become an oustanding collegiate player."

McMichael, a three sport athlete at Nacogdoches High School, joins the Bulldog softball program after an incredulous prep softball career under her coach and father Clarence McMichael at Nacogdoches.

As both a pitcher and and outfielder/shortstop, McMichael hit .504 during her junior campaign with four home runs, three triples, 12 doubles and 15 RBI. She finished with a 24-4-1 mark inside the circle, recording a 0.19 ERA with 92 strikeouts. Following the campaign, McMichael was decorated with several awards including the District 12-Class 5A MVP award. She also garnered First Team All-State honors as a pitcher and Second Team All-State honors as a designated player en route to leading Nacogdoches to the semifinals of the 1999 Texas State Tournament.

A three-time All-District player on Nacogdoches' varsity basketball team, McMichael averaged 14.1 points, five assists and four steals per game during her sophomore campaign on her way to her second of three-consecutive Team MVP awards. A two-year starter on the volleyball team, McMichael twice has garnered First Team All-District honors including her senior campaign in which she helped lead the Dragons to the Bi-District and District championships.

She becomes the first of five prep softball players expected to sign with Mississippi State in the early signing period.

Source: MSU Media Relations

11/10/99 (12:15 p.m.) - Former Diamond Dawg Rafael Palmeiro wins Gold Glove. Click here to read the complete details......

11/08/99 - Here are a few pictures from this past weekend's Alumni Weekend:

Group shot...
Partial group shot 1...
Partial group shot 2...
Partial group shot 3...
1st rounders Ginter, Loewer, and Dubose...

11/07/99 - Check out the latest Dudy Noble / Polk-DeMent Stadium expansion pictures by clicking here....

11/04/99

STARKVILLE, Miss. --- Senior shortstop Travis Chapman went 3-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs Wednesday afternoon to lead the State team to a Bulldog World Series-clinching 5-3 win over the Team Bulldog at Dudy Noble Field. The five-game series continues Thursday at 2:45 p.m. with no charge for admission to fans. A pair of freshman righthanders, Mike Taquino of Fairfax, Calif., and Chris Young of Stow, Ohio will draw starting mound duty.

Chapman roped a solo home run to right during a two-run first-inning State squad burst and an inning later collected his second RBI with a singled.

Team Bulldog battled back to knot the score, plating a run on a single by Cager Garner and a double to right by Shane Kelly. Matt Brinson followed with an RBI single and Lance Lamberth knotted the score with another RBI safety. Brinson paced his team with a 2-for-2 outing and a walk.

But the State team regained the lead in the fourth when Chapman opened the frame with a walk and later scored on a wild pitch. The winning team added an insurance run in the fifth when freshman Brad Hutto legged out a triple and scored on a single by another first-year Bulldog, Jonathan Papelbon.

Junior righty Justin Estel got the win while sophomore Jim Abraham, on in relief of starter Brandon Medders, took the loss.

BULLDOG WORLD SERIES NOTES: Nearly 100 former Diamond Dogs spanning six decades of MSU baseball have signed up for the upcoming Baseball Alumni Weekend activities. Saturday's Alumni Day events at Dudy Noble Field kick off with a batting contest and home run derby at 11 a.m., followed by player introductions and a seven-inning alumni-vs-alumni game at 1 p.m. Members of the current Mississippi State team will then square off against returning Diamond Dogs currently active in the pro ranks. There is no charge for admission and there will be an autograph/photo session conducted between Saturday's games.

Source: MSU Athletic Media Relations

11/03/99

STARKVILLE, Miss. --- The State squad opened the 1999 Bulldog World Series in impressive fashion Tuesday afternoon, taking a 2-0 series lead with 3-2 and 8-4 wins in Mississippi State's fall baseball practice-ending five-game series underway at Dudy Noble Field.

In the opener, Phillip Willingham singled twice and drove in the eventual winning run to lead the State team. The Mobile, Ala., junior opened the game with a single, stole second and later scored on an infield groundout by Jamie Rock. Jon Knott, the next batter faced by Bulldog team starter Adam Larson, laced a solo shot over the rightfield fence for a 2-0 lead.

The Bulldog squad got a one-out double by freshman J.T. Hardcastle and batted around in the second, helped along by a pair of hit batsmen, a bases-loaded walk and a fielding error that allowed a second run to score. Freshman outfielder Brad Hutto walked to lead off the third, stole second and scored the winning run on Willingham's second single of the game, and pitchers Tanner Brock and redshirt freshman lefty Steven Dowe shut out the Bulldog team over the final four frames.

In the nightcap, the State squad plated a pair of unearned runs to stake starter Mark Freed to a 2-1 lead in the second and jumped ahead 5-1 on the strength of Brian Terry's three-run blast to right-centerfield off Bulldog starter Kevin Donovan. Terry also blooped a double to center field and lined an RBI single in the fifth to pace the winners' seven-hit attack.

Freshman shortstop Matthew Maniscalco singled and scored the game's first run in the top of the first for the Bulldogs.

The 1999 Bulldog World Series continues at 2:45 p.m. with Game 3 today at Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium. Junior righthander Justin Estel and sophomore righty Brandon Medders are the scheduled pitchers. The games are open to the public.

BULLDOGS 3, STATE 2 (GAME 1)
BULLDOGS 020 000 ----2-4-1
STATE 201 00x --- 3-3-1
WP --- Tanner Brock. LP --- Adam Larson. HR --- Jon Knott.

BULLDOGS 8, STATE 4 (GAME 2)
STATE 023 120 --- 8-7-3
BULLDOGS 100 120 --- 4-5-3
WP --- Mark Freed. LP ---Kevin Donovan.

Source: MSU Athletic Media Relations

11/02/99

STARKVILLE, Miss. --- The battle lines have been drawn and the competition set to begin this afternoon when Mississippi State opens its fall baseball practice-ending Bulldog World Series at Dudy Noble Field. Today's twinbill gets underway at 2:45 p.m. and is open to the public.

The five-game series resumes with single games at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and concludes Friday with a 5:30 p.m. contest played as a kickoff to MSU's 1999 Alumni Baseball Weekend activities. Returning Bulldog Baseball alumni will gather for a 6 p.m. cookout and then watch the Bulldog World Series finale from the Outfield Terrace.

A pair of sophomore righthanders, Tanner Brock from Longwood, Fla., and Adam Larson from Cordova, Tenn., match up in today's series-opener while a pair of southpaws, senior Kevin Donovan of Southaven, Miss., and junior Mark Freed of Pennsville, N.J. are tabbed for starting duties in the nightcap.

STATE SQUAD
2 Phillip Willingham (OF-2B-3B)
4 Brad Hutto (SS/2B/OF)
6 Brian Terry (OF)
8 Mark Obradovich (C)
14 Travis Chapman (SS-3B-2B)
17 Jamie Rock (OF-3B-1B)
18 Mark Freed (LHP)
19 Justin Estel (RHP)
20 Jason Burkley (C-1B-3B)
23 Jeff Hunter (RHP)
24 Jon Knott (1B-OF)
27 Steven Dowe (LHP)
31 Tanner Brock (RHP)
32 Lee Parks (C)
41 Jonathan Papelbon (RHP/1B)
51 Chris Young (RHP)
55 Josh Wooten (RHP)

Managers - Alan Leonard and Michael Windham
Trainer - Jason Kelly

BULLDOG SQUAD
3 J.T. Hardcastle (SS/2B/OF)
7 Matthew Maniscalco (SS/2B/3B)
10 Mike Taquino (RHP)
11 Shane Kelly (OF)
12 Ty Martin (SS-3B-2B)
15 Daron Wright (SS-3B-2B)
16 Jim Abraham (LHP)
21 Kevin Donovan (LHP)
25 Brandon Medders (RHP)
30 Adam Larson (RHP)
33 Ryan McGrath (C-3B-OF)
34 Lance Lamberth (C-1B)
35 Josh West (OF)
37 Jeff Lacher (RHP/OF)
40 Joey Collums (LHP)
44 Enrico Jones (OF)
45 Matt Brinson (1B/OF)
47 Collins Hughes (RHP)
49 Cager Garner (OF-2B)

Managers - Chris Hardy and Phillip Eubanks
Trainer - Andy Holzapfel

Source: MSU Athletic Media Relations

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