MSU’s Pilkington takes business-like approach to mound
Konnor Pilkington doesn’t get rattled on the mound.
As the starter in the first game of Southeastern Conference series for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Pilkington knows the importance of setting a tone for the weekend.
That’s what the junior from Hurley did last week by giving the Bulldogs another solid outing and helping them begin a sweep over the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Pilkington will open another series tonight on the mound as MSU hosts the Texas A&M Aggies at Dudy Noble Field.
“I try to give us a solid start every time we go out,” Pilkington said. “Everything I do, it’s more serious. Even with it being not the season we want, you still have to have the same approach and same mindset with everything.”
Pilkington brings a business-like approach to the Bulldogs and that’s what interim coach Gary Henderson likes so much.
With his history as a pitching coach, Henderson understands what it means to have a pitcher like Pilkington at the front of the rotation.
“Anytime you are talking about a Friday night starting pitcher, it’s how he goes about his business day-to-day and week-to-week,” Henderson said. “He works really hard and I think everybody in the program is well aware of that. His mound presence and his production have been outstanding. Any time you have a Friday night guy you can run out there week after week and give the type of effort that he’s given us, it’s really impressive and he’s done a good job for us.”
Pilkington goes into tonight’s start with a 2-5 record and a 2.95 earned run average. He has 67 strikeouts and 12 walks in 10 starts and 61 innings pitched.
In his sophomore season at MSU, Pilkington was very good with an 8-5 record, 3.08 ERA, 111 strikeouts and 47 walks in 108 innings pitched. He made 17 starts.
The Bulldogs saw Pilkington make 14 appearances as a freshman with 11 starts. He had a 3-1 record, 2.08 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 15 walks in 43.1 innings pitched.
Pilkington hasn’t benefited from much run support this season, but Henderson said he doesn’t complain.
”You are speaking to a level of maturity that kind of understands the things you can control and focus on,” Henderson said. “I think he really does a good job each week. I think we do a good job of getting him to focus on the things he can control and things he can get better. If you were able to see the (Auburn) game, his command of the curve ball and change are as good as they have been all year. Honestly you focus on those things.”