Price back on mound with State

It was good to see Spencer Price back on the mound for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

After missing the entire 2018 season due to an arm injury and Tommy John surgery, Price made an appearance in the ninth inning of Saturday's 14-2 first game victory for the Bulldogs.

Price was the fourth of four pitchers for MSU as he followed J.T. Ginn, Jack Eagan and Eric Cerantola to the mound.

Even though he seemed a little bit rusty, giving up a walk and a base hit during his short 17-pitch stint, Price did have a pair of strikeouts. It was a starting point and something he can build on.

His Bulldog teammates really respect the way Price handled his business to get the opportunity he did on Saturday.

“Spencer is a guy who is going to bring energy every day,” MSU first baseman Tanner Allen said. “I don't think a day went by last year where he wasn't doing anything to help himself get back to playing shape. As you can tell, he came out and did great for us. Big shout out to him. He's worked hard and it's going to pay off for him.”

If MSU has the option of using Price in the late innings of games this season, it's only going to make the team stronger.

Trysten Barlow also made a return for the Bulldogs from an arm injury. He worked a scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts in the second game that MSU won 8-0.

Being able to use Price and Barlow prompted State head coach Chris Lemonis to call Saturday “the comeback tour.”

Lemonis could tell that it was an emotional day for Price and looks forward to giving him more chances.

“Getting Spencer out there against someone else's hitters