Four Mississippi pitchers named to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team

USA Baseball announced Tuesday that four pitchers from Mississippi schools made the Collegiate National Team, the organization said.

Mississippi State had two pitchers named: left-hander Tomas Valincius and right-hander Ryan McPherson, USA Baseball said. Valincius was 11-2 with a 3.50 ERA, 134 strikeouts and 97.2 innings pitched in 2026, Mississippi State Athletics reported. He also received the Ferriss Trophy, the school said. McPherson went 4-1 with a 3.56 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 43 innings; Mississippi State Athletics said he missed about six weeks after a throwing-arm injury March 20 but returned to pitch in the postseason.

Ole Miss sophomore Walker Hooks was added after a breakout season, the school said. Ole Miss Athletics reported Hooks was 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, 63 strikeouts and 58.1 innings, and recorded nine saves as the Rebels reached the College World Series.

Southern Miss left-hander Grayden Harris also made the roster, the school said. Southern Miss Athletics reported Harris was 8-1 with a 4.02 ERA, 107 strikeouts and 17 starts, and that he has announced plans to return to the Golden Eagles for 2027.

USA Baseball said the Collegiate National Team will play in the World Collegiate Baseball Championship in Taiwan from July 11-15, with pool play against Korea on July 11, Chinese Taipei on July 12 and Japan on July 13. USA Baseball posted the full roster on its website, the organization said.

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