STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball starting first baseman/designated hitter Noah Sullivan missed a third straight game on Feb. 20 because of a back injury.
Coach Brian O'Connor said Sullivan is progressing well.
"Noah's doing great," O'Connor said. "He took batting practice today for the first time and felt really good. So just want to see how he gets up tomorrow morning and how he's moving around tomorrow.
"I would imagine that if there's not any lingering effects from taking a full BP today, I would imagine that he would be in there tomorrow."
The No. 6 Bulldogs (5-0) defeated Delaware 9-2 at Dudy Noble Field. Game 2 of the series is Feb. 21 (1 p.m., SEC Network+).
Sullivan was a preseason All-SEC first team selection after a breakout season with MSU in 2025 where he batted .345 with 15 home runs.
O'Connor said on Feb. 18, after the Alcorn State win, that Sullivan tweaked his back in practice on Feb. 16, but they did not believe his injury to be serious. Sullivan was not in uniform for the two midweek games but was against Delaware (1-4).
Meanwhile, Reed Stallman returned to the lineup after missing the last two games, starting at first base. He went 1-for-4 with a run, a walk and three strikeouts.
Noah Sullivan stats
Sullivan, who transferred before the 2025 season from USC Upstate, has only played in two games this season. He sat out the opener because of a one-game suspension after getting ejected from the 2025 Tallahassee Regional final against Florida State.
Sullivan is 2-for-5 this season with two runs, two walks and two hit by pitches.
Sullivan started seven games last season as a midweek starting pitcher but has not pitched this season.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Noah Sullivan injury update for Mississippi State baseball vs Delaware