SEC hits king concerned with current hitting slump
Mississippi State’s Jake Mangum readily admits it’s special to be a finalist for the C Spire Ferriss Trophy.
The award – given annually to the top collegiate baseball player in the state of Mississippi – means something for a guy who grew up inside the Magnolia State.
Mangum has a chance to take home the trophy today when the award is presented at a luncheon at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson. However Mangum’s biggest focus right now isn’t winning hardware today. It’s busting loose from his current hitting slump.
“It’d be awesome (to win the Ferriss Trophy), but it’s not really a concern at all right now,” Mangum said. “I’ve got to get going again at the plate.”
Slumps are uncommon for Mangum. The senior is hitting a robust .375 this season. Earlier this year, Mangum set the record for most career hits in Southeastern Conference history. Mangum currently sits on 370 career hits.
However the hits haven’t been as numerous for Mangum of late. In his last four games, Mangum is just 2-for-21. The Bulldogs desperately need Mangum to get going as the Southeastern Conference Tournament begins this week with the NCAA Tournament right around the corner.
MSU head coach Chris Lemonis is confident Mangum’s breakthrough isn’t far off.
“He’s taking a lot of good swings,” Lemonis said. “If you’ll notice, there’s a lot of good foul balls down his back side. Me and (hitting coach Jake Gautreau) are sitting there saying it’s really close (to Mangum busting out of his slump). He’s probably pressing a little bit and maybe swinging at a couple of balls he shouldn’t, but even when he’s going good, he probably swings at a couple of balls he shouldn’t too. He’s just that type of hitter. He’ll be fine. His hits will come and they’ll come in a hurry.”
While Mangum figures things out, his overall numbers are still plenty good enough to possibly earn him this year’s Ferriss Trophy. It’s an award Mangum has already won once when he took home the honor in his freshman season back in 2016. Mangum was also a finalist for the honor last year.
This year, to win, Mangum will have to beat out fellow finalists, including MSU teammate and pitcher Ethan Small, as well as Matt Wallner of Southern Miss and Grae Kessinger and Tyler Keenan of Ole Miss.
Whatever happens, Mangum is simply proud to be involved in the running for the trophy named in honor of MSU great, Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer and longtime Delta State coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss.
“It’s a really, really cool event,” Mangum said. “This is the third time I’ve gotten to go and it’s special to be invited to it. Boo Ferriss was a great human, a great ballplayer and a great representative of our State.”
Win lose or draw, Mangum will leave Jackson today focused on straightening out his swing for the postseason more than anything.
“I’ll do that and we’re going to go to Hoover (for the SEC Tournament) and try to win the thing,” Mangum said.