Batter up! Jordan standing out at State

By Courtney Warren

When a high school student graduates from high school, most of them are considering college roommates, class schedules for their freshman semester, and what it will feel like to live on their own. 

For Cantonian Dakota Jordan, those decisions were a bit more than just what class he would take on Tuesdays and Thursdays. With the decision of taking on an agent and potentially being drafted to play Major League Baseball or go to college, Jordan decided he wanted to be a kid for a little longer. 

“I stand by that choice. I took it from an emotional standpoint. I felt like I wasn’t ready to be on my own yet. I still needed to grow as a person. Coming here was the right time to do it,” said Jordan. 

Dressed in maroon, Jordan proudly wears his Mississippi State University jersey to play in the outfield of Davis Wade Stadium. 

WIth the new season already in full swing, Jordan said it’s a big change from anything he’s ever done. 

“It’s a lot different from high school baseball to college. From the speed of the game [to] longer practices, and you’re more locked in and not just joking around. The weights are taken more seriously,” said Jordan. 

While he is more than excited to be a Bulldog, Jordan admits the transition was a little difficult at first. 

“I was a little sad at first, being away from home,” he said. 

However, he feels constant support and was fully ready to take on the season. 

“My family is at my games–my mom for sure. Before my first game, I had about thirty texts from friends from home, coaches, teachers, and my parents telling me good luck. Just saying go out there and be myself and hyping me up,” he said. 

That support has continued as he navigates being a college athlete. 

“I love my coaches,” said Jordan.  “Each and every last one of them. They are all pretty chill and let you play your game. When it’s time for a lesson, they’ll let you know about it. We have great academic support here. We have study halls, individual study halls, and I have tutors, as well,” he added. 

Jordan has already started leaving his heart on the field and has many talking about the power he puts behind the ball and bat. 

Not long ago, word got around that Jordan hit a ball so far out of the park that it reached the apartments behind the stadium. 

He laughed when asked about it and humbly said, “It was in a scrimmage game. It was 0-2, and I was in a two-strike approach and trying to put it in play somewhere. I got a hanging curveball, and I just stayed on it. I hit it pretty well. I kind of blacked out. I didn’t know I had that type of power.”

Jordan said he’s soaked up each moment at MSU during this first year, and the nerves hit hard during game one. 

“I had mixed emotions. I was so nervous. My first at bat, I don’t think I took a breath,” he chuckled.  

“I had a pop up to first base. I went back to the dugout and thought ‘alright, I got that out of the way.’ The coaches laughed and said ‘it’s okay, you can breathe.’”
Jordan is excited for the opportunities this season holds but said no matter what, he’s proud and excited to be a part of the Bulldogs team.  

He said, “I want to continue to be a great teammate and really just be consistent. That’s the key.”

For more information about the Bulldogs and to catch Jordan in action, visit https://hailstate.com/sports/baseball.