STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball starting catcher Ross Highfill has suffered a broken nose, according to an update provided by coach Chris Lemonis on Tuesday.
Highfill exited last Friday's win at Oklahoma when he took a pitch to the face while batting.
He's missed the last three games, including Tuesday's 6-1 win against Samford at Dudy Noble Field. MSU (16-9, 1-5 SEC) starts a three-game series at No. 6 LSU (23-3, 4-2) on Thursday (7 p.m., SEC Network).
"We're very fortunate," Lemonis said. "He's very fortunate, because it could have been a lot worse, and he should be back soon. It's just going to be about what he can tolerate and deal with and everything else. He's got a football mask for a helmet now, so it'll be interesting to watch. I tried to make him wear it all night the dugout, but he refused. He's doing good. He's in good spirits. He's a tough kid, so we're real fortunate."
Graduate senior Joe Powell has started the last three games in Highfill's place. The Sooners successfully stole 12 bases in 13 attempts in two games against Powell. On Tuesday, he threw out the one stolen base attempt from Samford and also delivered a single that drove in two runs in the fourth inning.
"Ross goes down and it's the next man up," Powell said. "He's recovering well, but like you said, just getting more at-bats, getting more comfortable, just taking it one day at a time and doing what I can to help my team win."
Powell is batting .174 with one home run and seven RBIs in 10 games with eight starts.
Ross Highfill stats
Highfill, a junior, has started 18 games this season and bats .250 with one home run and 12 RBIs. He leads the team with eight stolen bases.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ross Highfill injury update: Mississippi State catcher has broken nose
