Who is Ryan McPherson? Mississippi State pitcher starting regional final after injury

Ryan McPherson is starting at pitcher for Mississippi State baseball today in the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 14 national seed Bulldogs (42-17) are playing either No. 2 Cincinnati or No. 3 Louisiana in the Starkville Regional final at Dudy Noble Field on May 31 (7 p.m., ESPN+). A win will put them into the super regional, while a loss will force another game on June 1.

It's McPherson's third start since returning from a forearm injury.

McPherson has a 2.70 ERA and 3-1 record. He's recorded 43 strikeouts and 10 walks in 36⅔ innings.

McPherson suffered a forearm strain during a start on March 20 against Vanderbilt at Dudy Noble Field. It forced him to leave the game early.

He didn't pitch in a game again until May 9 but was on a pitch count. McPherson has pitched twice since making his return, but not longer than 2⅓ innings.

McPherson tweaked his ankle on May 9 against Auburn while backing up behind home plate, but that injury has not lingered with him.

Mississippi State coach Brian O'Connor said McPherson pitched five shutout innings in a team scrimmage on May 23.