Kohn Sharp As Mississippi State Rebounds In 11-0 Win Over Alcorn

By Doug Kyle

Pico Kohn is still on the way back from arm surgery that prevented a 2023 season, but the Mississippi State lefthander so far looks fine, and no more so than Tuesday night when he led an 11-0 run-rule shutout over Alcorn State.

With all due respect to Alcorn, who came in with an RPI of 302 and two wins, it wasn't the SEC, but an opportunity for Kohn and several other young players to get some action leading into this weekend's series with Auburn, of the SEC.

Kohn's outing was capped at three innings, but he made the most of that. Throwing 38 pitches, 31 of them for strikes, good for five strikeouts, Kohn reminded Head Coach Chris Lemonis of where he was throwing back in January, but clearly the best he's been so far. And, that is promising to Lemonis, who indicated Kohn could be key against Auburn, who despite their SEC-worst league mark is still a dangerous team.

Two young players, Starkville native Ethan Pulliam and Michael O'Brien, both got their career first RBIs, O' Brien on a bases loaded walk and Pulliam on the first of his two hits.

Kohn wasn't the only one shining on the mound. Karson Ligon, Gavin Black, Colby Holcombe, and Logan Forsythe all logged an inning each in the shutout, the group of five limiting Alcorn to hits in only the third, sixth, and seventh innings, while logging 14 strikeouts.

The SEC series against Auburn also marks Super Bulldog Weekend, when Mississippi State has set many of its campus-dominating attendance records since recording its first in 1988. Big crowds are expected in conjunction with the spring football game for the games set for 6:00 pm Friday, 5:00 pm Saturday, and 1:00 pm (all CDT) Sunday.

Here are post-game comments from Lemonis: