CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – In 2004, Brian O’Connor’s first season as the baseball coach at Virginia, he led the Cavaliers to hosting an NCAA regional. But UVA could not advance.

It’s a fact O’Connor said his wife reminded him of after his new team, Mississippi State, swept through the regional it hosted last weekend to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.

“Extremely proud that in this first year were able to go 3-0 and find a way to win it,” O’Connor said after the Bulldogs’ 19-5 win over Louisiana on Sunday in Starkville, Miss. “That’s because of great players and it’s because of a great staff. The guys that decided to come here with me from Virginia and the decision that Coach (Justin) Parker made to stay on the staff here, those are the best decisions you make as a leader is who you surround yourself with. The loyalty and the commitment that those guys have shown has been part of putting ourselves in this position.”

O’Connor left UVA following the 2025 season, ending a 22-year run that saw him lead the program to seven College World Series appearances and the 2015 national championship. He brought five Cavaliers players, two assistant coaches and a number of other staffers with him to Starkville.

That group included left-handed pitcher Tomas Valincius who anchored Mississippi State’s staff this season, going 11-2. He was named to the all-region team after picking up a win over Cincinnati on Saturday.

Valincius, who went 5-1 last season in 12 starts at UVA, worked 7 1/3 inning against the Bearcats striking out 10 batters. Mississippi State scored nine runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning to secure the 10-5 victory.

“That’s a big part of who I am as a pitcher, just applying pressure. And that was the game plan going in,” Valincius said. “I know how good our offense is. My job is to go out there and put up zeros. They’re eventually going to score runs.”

Outfielders Aidan Teel and James Nunnallee and Chone James also transferred to the Bulldogs and are playing significant roles.

Teel has started 38 games and is batting .294 with five home runs and 22 RBI. Nunnallee has played in 29 games, hitting .241 with home run and five RBI. James has seen action in 26 games, batting .309 with a home run and 14 RBI.

Left-handed pitcher William Kirk pitched in three games, making one start.

Now, Mississippi State will face Georgia in a Super Regional in Athens. Game 1 is set for 10 a.m. Saturday. Game 2 would be at 11 a.m. Sunday and, if necessary, a third game would be Monday. Georgia swept State during the regular season, then defeated it during the SEC tournament.

“This team has a long way to go. We need to tighten up some things,” O’Connor said. “But I love our ballclub because it means so much to them.”