How Jacob Parker reacted to striking out after nearly saving Mississippi State season

Updated June 7, 2026, 8 p.m. by press room 1 min read

ATHENS, GA Jacob Parker made a big decision one summer ago to turn down the MLB draft and instead play for Mississippi State baseball.

Fast forward 11 months, and the Bulldogs season hinged on the freshmans bat, the same one that had them leading in the ninth inning against Georgia in Game 2 of the Athens Super Regional on June 7.

In the 10th inning, a three-run home run, a third homer in his last three at-bats, wouldve been a walk-off for No.

14 MSU to force a Game 3 against No.

3 Georgia.

Instead, he struck out swinging with two runners on to end the game.

Georgia players rushed the field and dogpiled after clinching an 11-9 win and a trip to the College World Series.

Mississippi States season, the first under coach Brian OConnor, ended.

Thats how a breakout game and the postseason ended for Parker, an outfielder and Purvis native who wasnt even an everyday starter for Mississippi State (43-19) to begin the season.

Im proud of this guy, OConnor said as he put his hand on Parkers shoulder at the postgame press conference.

I know he hurts because the game ends with his at-bat, but we wouldnt be where were at without him and his teammates contributions.

Four of Parkers six at-bats in Game 2 against Georgia (51-12) were pivotal.

It started with a checked swing in the first inning that was called as an inning-ending strike by the third base umpire.

OConnor jumped out of the dugout screaming in disagreement with the call.

Mississippi State fell behind 7-2 but went ahead 9-8 by the ninth inning because of Parker.

He hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, the third of three straight MSU homers that cut Georgias lead to 8-7.

Then in the eighth inning, Parker crushed a go-ahead two-run home run to make it 9-8 Mississippi State.

Both home runs were over 430 feet.

MSU had runners at first and second base for Parkers at-bat in the 10th inning.

Ive already won in life, Parker said.

I have Jesus Christ in my life.

I really didnt care what happened.

Obviously, I wanted to win, but I walked up to the plate that knowing win or lose, Ive won in life.

I think thats whats special and thats what this program is about.

Its not about wins or losses.

Its about how these guys can turn us into better men.

From the second I stepped foot on campus, Ive completely changed into a better man, and I cant thank these guys enough.

It was the second two-home run game of the postseason for Parker after he also did it in the regional final against Louisiana.

Parker finished the super regional 3-for-9 with two home runs, four RBIs, four runs and three walks.

Parker, who won the Most Outstanding Player award for the Starkville Regional, finished his freshman season with a .339 batting average, 18 home runs, 62 RBIs and 51 runs in 53 games and 44 starts.

He was named one of five finalists for Baseball Americas freshman of the year award.

Parker said he hasnt done it alone.

I can name so many guys, but one in particular is Aidan Teel, Parker said.

I dont know if you guys know, but this fall I was terrible.

That guy, he literally put everything down and helped me.

He wasnt playing toward the end of the year and I was.

He helped me become who I am, and I cant thank those guys enough.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger.

Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

BILOXI, Miss.

(WLOX) Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney discussed homeowners insurance rates, roof-strengthening grants, health insurance options, and his plans for the 2027 election.

Insurance rates Chaney said homeowners on the Gulf Coast will likely see stable insurance rates in 2027 with minimal increases.

The windpool, the insurer of last resort for wind and hail, will offer a policy allowing homeowners to choose their coverage amount, providing more flexibility for consumers.

The reason theyre doing that is that rates have gone up around the United States.

Its not just Mississippi, and theyre exorbitant and out of sight, Chaney said.

So were looking at ways to help the consumer out.

Homeowners can contact their insurance agent to discuss coverage options.

Roof mitigation program The roof mitigation program has generated significant interest.

The program will provide homeowners up to $10,000 to reinforce their roofs, with homeowners responsible for contributing financially if the total cost exceeds $10,000.

Mitigation is real simple.

If you qualify and you have a home thats in fairly decent repair and youve got a bad roof on it, we can go in and put a roof that meets IBHS standards, Chaney said.

The insurance commissioner said roofing contractors will not be paid unless the house meets code and passes inspection standards.

The program will mitigate between 200 and 300 houses between July 1 and January 1, then expand to full capacity.

Then well go full steam.

Well put $15 million a year into the program.

So somewhere between 1,000 to 1,500 houses a year, Chaney said.

Chaney said it will take a couple of years for Mississippi to reach the necessary mitigation standards.

Homeowners will be able to register online, and participants will be selected through a lottery system.

Health insurance program About 400,000 people in Missisisppi do not have health insurance, according to Chaney.

He is promoting a private exchange program that will provide short-term health insurance coverage beginning January 1.

Policies will be valid for six months and cost less than $500 per month, according to Chaney.

The insurance commissioner said individuals with conditions requiring expensive treatments may not qualify and can seek coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

That just simply says, if youve got cancer and you need a million-dollar drug, were probably not going to write you.

And theres a reason for that.

You can go to the ACA and get that coverage, Chaney said.

He added that insurance companies will fund the program through premiums, with no tax dollars involved.

2027 election Chaney will likely be on the ballot for the state election next year.

My name will probably be on the ballot.

My deputy commissioner has agreed to run if something happens, Chaney said.

The insurance commissioners office regulates the states insurance industry, protects consumers, and investigates fraud.

See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.

Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million.

Here are things that youre more likely to land than big bucks.

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Heres a look at June 6, 2026, results for each game: Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 6 drawing 04-14-18-22-24 Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 6 drawing Midday: 8-7-5, FB: 9 Evening: 3-2-2, FB: 3 Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 6 drawing Midday: 9-7-6-0, FB: 9 Evening: 0-7-1-7, FB: 3 Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 6 drawing Midday: 11 Evening: 13 Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail.

Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more.

If mailing, send required documentation to: Mississippi Lottery Corporation P.O.

Box 321462 Flowood, MS 39232 If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters.

Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity.

Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters 1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg.

B-100 Flowood, MS 39232 Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date.

For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held? - Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m.

(Midday) and 9:30 p.m.

(Evening).

- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m.

(Midday) and 9:30 p.m.

(Evening).

- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m.

CT.

- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m.

(Midday) and 9:30 p.m.

(Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor.

You can send feedback using this form.

Mississippi State baseballs Ace Reese crushes opponents ace pitchers, but thats not exactly why he got that first name.

Reese is the Bulldogs star third baseman and a top prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft.

Hes in his second season at MSU, which is facing Georgia in the Athens Super Regional starting on June 6 (10 a.m.

CT, ESPN).

The winner will go to the College World Series, where MSU hasnt been since the 2021 national championship.

Heres what to know about Reese, including the story of his first name.

Ace Reese name Reeses parents named him Ace because they thought hed be a star pitcher.

They were correct that Reese would be a star baseball player, but just at a different position.

I didnt know, right? Aaron Reese told The Clarion Ledger last season.

We prayed about it a lot and you have confidence and faith and know that youre going to get going in the right direction.

At that moment, that was the direction we were being led.

Ace Reese stats Reese is batting .328 with 22 home runs, 72 RBIs and 69 runs.

He leads the team in home runs, RBIs and runs.

Reese joined Mississippi State legends Rafael Palmeiro and Will Clark this season as the only players in program history with consecutive 20-home run seasons.

Reese is a two-time All-SEC first-team selection and the 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year.

In his two Mississippi State seasons, Reese is batting .337 with 43 home runs, 136 RBIs and 125 runs.

His .707 career slugging percentage at MSU is on pace to be the third-highest in program history behind only Clark and Palmeiro.

Ace Reese MLB draft projections Reese is ranked as the No.

21 prospect by the MLB for the 2026 draft.

Mississippi State hasnt had a batter drafted in the first round since Justin Foscue in 2020.

Reese spent last summer playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team with players like Roch Cholowsky, UCLAs star whos projected to be the No.

1 pick.

Ace Reese transferred to Mississippi State Reese played at Houston as a freshman in 2024 before transferring to Mississippi State.

Ace Reese hometown Reese is from Canton, Texas, which is southeast of Dallas, and went to Canton High School.

Mississippi State vs Georgia super regional schedule - Game 1: Saturday, June 6 (10 a.m.

CT, ESPN) - Game 2: Sunday, June 7 (11 a.m.

CT, ESPN) - Game 3: Monday, June 8 (TBD), if necessary Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger.

Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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