STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs have won 13 of their last 15 games, including a series win over the defending national champions. There are many reasons for the Bulldog's success this year, but perhaps none are more prominent than their toughness and attitude.
In the previous two years, that has been missing for this program as they seemed to not have much of a competitive edge compared to others in the SEC. However, that has changed this year, and transfer catcher Johnny Long has much to do with that.
Long has done an excellent job defensively behind the plate this year, and he splits playing time with another transfer, Joe Powell. The Florida native transferred to the Bulldogs for his fifth year of eligibility after spending two years at Pitt and Florida Gulf Coast.
In 2021, the catcher had a career year at the plate as he batted .289 with one home run and drove in 18 runs at FGCU. After his breakout redshirt freshman season, Long would hit the transfer portal and find a new home at Pitt.
The 6-0 190-pounder would play sparingly in his two years in Pittsburg as he batted .250 a season ago and drew 28 starts. Given his lack of numbers when the Bulldogs signed Long out of the transfer portal, it did not move the needle much, especially after the power numbers Ross Highfill put up last season for Mississippi State.
However, Longs' impact on the team goes beyond any stat, and he brings energy to a team and program that desperately needed it. He and his team made a statement this past weekend against the defending national champions.
Mississippi State head coach Chris Lemonis had high praise for the transfer.
“He's a competitor,” Lemonis said. “He is there for every guy on this team, and he's a wonderful kid to coach.”
The LSU Tigers are notorious for chirping and playing with an edge, and this past weekend, the Tigers tried to intimidate the Bulldogs the same way they do many teams.
On Friday night, there was a bit of tension in the air, and it reached a boiling point in the bottom of the seventh, and the transfer catcher was right in the center of it. Long laid down a bunt single and was picked off moments later, and while running back to the dugout, the Florida native was hearing it from the Tiger dugout, and he turned around and let his voice be heard, signaling them to come out onto the field.
Dakota Jordan is a star for MSU, and even he was not immune to the Tigers trash talk.
“They were saying some wild stuff,” Jordan said. “I don't think I can repeat those words.”
Immediately, both dugouts were warned, and the chirping stopped. There is a fine line between having an edge and going too far and ultimately costing the team, but Long straddles that line well.
The Bulldogs need someone who will step out and let it be known that they will not be intimidated. MSU left fielder Aaron Downs spoke on the intensity of Long.
“Johnny is crazy, man,” Downs said. “I love him… he shows up to work every day.”
Previous successful teams at Mississippi State played with a chip on their shoulder, and this team seems to be carrying on that tradition, which ultimately has led them to success thus far.
It speaks volumes about the team's respect for Long because it is rare for a first-year transfer to set the tone like he has. Mississippi State will return on Thursday as they travel to College Station to face Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
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