Koestler, Johnson have eye on national title

Mississippi State University is looking to take center stage in Tuesday’s game against Virginia.

Pitchers Carlisle Koestler and Preston Johnson are aiming to finish the season off by bringing MSU home a national title.

Vicksburg’s own Koestler recorded 10 wins in 2016 pitching for the Hinds CC Eagles, leading 55 innings and achieving a national rank of 6.

Johnson, who comes out of Crystal Springs, was a star pitcher for the Eagles in 2019 and 2020. He held a 5-5 record while recording 70 strikeouts in his 2019 season. In 2020, the pitcher led 20 innings and delivered a total of 39 strikeouts which placed him 3rd on the national rank.

The Bulldogs pumped after their recent victory over the Texas Longhorns and are looking for a repeat against Virginia.  The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.