Ryan McPherson looking to build on strong freshman season

With the freshman year that Ryan McPherson had coupled with the fact Mississippi State was making a coaching change in the baseball program, opportunities were going to be just about endless for his next baseball season.

The Diamond Dawg pitcher finished out the season in Tallahassee at a Regional and, within minutes, he and his teammates found out that Brian O’Connor would be leading the team. Within just a few days, McPherson had announced that he would be returning with the Bulldogs.

That announcement came mere minutes after pitching coach Justin Parker was retained by O’Connor. From that moment on, McPherson was all in on continuing on as a Diamond Dawg.

“I think this is the best place to play baseball,” McPherson stated. “(State) is going to get whoever it is the most prepared for the next level and I think that’s what everyone wants. Justin Parker is the best pitching coach I’ve ever been with and along with the new coaching staff their reputation is amazing, and I want to be a part of it.”

McPherson coming off impressive freshman season

The freshman season was one to remember for McPherson. The Hollywood, Fla., native was 4-1 in 20 appearances with a 4.12 ERA and he had a chance to start in two games. McPherson threw 39.1 innings in year one with just 15 walks to 56 strikeouts.

McPherson showed his versatility as a pitcher as he threw in several different roles from a starter to long relief and even a closer. The freshman had three saves during the season, but none was bigger than his moment against Ole Miss when he came in with two on and no one out and got the Bulldogs out of a jam with a scoreless ninth inning to leave the tying run at third. That performance earned the team the series win over the Rebels.

After his standout freshman season, McPherson had a chance to represent his country with the Team USA Collegiate National Team. He and teammate Ace Reese made the trip to Japan to play with the team and it was an experience he wouldn’t forget.

“It was a really big summer getting to play for the National team,” McPherson said. “Team USA is a great honor and I got to go to Japan and represent our country and it was a big thing. The experience in Tokyo and all of the other places was unreal and the culture what really cool.”

Along with McPherson, the announcement of a return from fellow sophomore Charlie Foster was equally big for Parker.

Foster dealt with an injury last season but pitched well in his seven games and looks the part of a key lefty for the team. Another classmate in Duke Stone is set to have a breakthrough season after a huge summer in the Cape Cod League. Those three sophomores create a strong nucleus for the promising season ahead.

“(Foster is) actually my roommate this year so we have a great relationship,” McPherson said. “Also, Duke Stone, I think he’ll be a big part of this year also. We have a lot of good returners and that experience we got last year will be a big role this year.”

And for the newcomers, McPherson sees maybe even more promise than his class brought to Dudy Noble Field.

Hard-throwing lefty Jack Bauer followed O’Connor and his staff to Starkville after being committed to Virginia and he turned down the early round of the MLB Draft to bring his 100+ mph fastball to the Dude. Righty Parker Rhodes is another player that turned down the draft after rising fast late in the process, and Petal’s Tanner Beliveau has been an early surprise in fall practices.

Those players and more have really impressed the players that have already had their action inside college baseball. It makes for a bright future, and present, for the maroon and white.

“I think it’s a really good freshman class,” McPherson said. “I think that they’re probably a step ahead of where we were last year. I think they’ve adjusted to coming into college nicely and I’m excited to see what happens.”