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One of the top pitchers in the SEC is starting May 30 in the NCAA Tournament.
Tomas Valincius, Mississippi State baseball's No. 1 starter, is pitching against Cincinnati at Dudy Noble Field. The winner will advance to the Starkville Regional final.
Valincius transferred to MSU (41-17) this season from Virginia, where he's reunited with his older brother, Vytas. Both of them have been impact players for the Bulldogs. However, the two of them pronounce their last names differently.
Here's what to know about the Valincius brothers.
Tomas, a sophomore, transferred to MSU from Virginia. Vytas, an outfielder and graduate student, transferred from Illinois, so this is the first time they are on the same college team.
Tomas pronounces his last name Vuh-LINK-cuss. Vytas pronounces it Vuh-lin-SEE-us.
Their mom pronounces their last name as Vuh-LYNCH-us.
The brothers, whose parents were born in Lithuania, have the different pronunciations because they like how they sound with their first names. You can read more about it here.
Tomas has a 2.93 ERA and 10-2 record. He's pitched 86 innings, striking out 120 batters with 17 walks.
Tomas leads the SEC in strikeouts and wins, was named to the All-SEC first team and won the Ferriss Trophy as the top college baseball player in Mississippi. He is also a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award.
MORE: Valincius brothers' mom having her best season living with sons at Mississippi State
Vytas is hitting .379 with five home runs, 24 RBIs and 21 runs in 25 starts and 34 games.
Tomas is not eligible for the MLB draft until 2027.
In high school, he was ranked as the No. 107 prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft. He did not get picked and opted for college instead.
Vytas is in his last year of eligibility but is not a highly-ranked draft prospect.
The Valincius are from Lockport, Illinois, but both attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at different times.
Tomas was the 2024 Gatorade Tennessee Baseball Player of the Year and a two-time Mr. Baseball in Division II-AA.
The brothers are living together for this season at Mississippi State. So, their mom also decided to move in with them for the spring while the baseball season goes on.
All games at Dudy Noble Field; double elimination format; game times in Central
Friday, May 29
Saturday, May 30
Sunday, May 31
Monday, June 1
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: Tomas, Vytas Valincius pronounce last name differently. Here's why
Continue reading...
Tomas Valincius, Mississippi State baseball's No. 1 starter, is pitching against Cincinnati at Dudy Noble Field. The winner will advance to the Starkville Regional final.
Valincius transferred to MSU (41-17) this season from Virginia, where he's reunited with his older brother, Vytas. Both of them have been impact players for the Bulldogs. However, the two of them pronounce their last names differently.
Here's what to know about the Valincius brothers.
Tomas, Vytas Valincius pronunciation
Tomas, a sophomore, transferred to MSU from Virginia. Vytas, an outfielder and graduate student, transferred from Illinois, so this is the first time they are on the same college team.
Tomas pronounces his last name Vuh-LINK-cuss. Vytas pronounces it Vuh-lin-SEE-us.
Their mom pronounces their last name as Vuh-LYNCH-us.
The brothers, whose parents were born in Lithuania, have the different pronunciations because they like how they sound with their first names. You can read more about it here.
Tomas Valincius stats
Tomas has a 2.93 ERA and 10-2 record. He's pitched 86 innings, striking out 120 batters with 17 walks.
Tomas leads the SEC in strikeouts and wins, was named to the All-SEC first team and won the Ferriss Trophy as the top college baseball player in Mississippi. He is also a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award.
MORE: Valincius brothers' mom having her best season living with sons at Mississippi State
Vytas Valincius stats
Vytas is hitting .379 with five home runs, 24 RBIs and 21 runs in 25 starts and 34 games.
Tomas Valincius MLB draft ranking
Tomas is not eligible for the MLB draft until 2027.
In high school, he was ranked as the No. 107 prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft. He did not get picked and opted for college instead.
Vytas is in his last year of eligibility but is not a highly-ranked draft prospect.
Tomas, Vytas Valincius hometown
The Valincius are from Lockport, Illinois, but both attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at different times.
Tomas was the 2024 Gatorade Tennessee Baseball Player of the Year and a two-time Mr. Baseball in Division II-AA.
Valincius brothers live with mom at Mississippi State
The brothers are living together for this season at Mississippi State. So, their mom also decided to move in with them for the spring while the baseball season goes on.
Starkville Regional schedule in 2026 NCAA baseball tournament
All games at Dudy Noble Field; double elimination format; game times in Central
Friday, May 29
- Game 1: Mississippi State 10, Lipscomb 1
- Game 2: Cincinnati vs. Louisiana, 6 p.m. on ESPN+
Saturday, May 30
- Game 3: Lipscomb vs. Louisiana, 3 p.m., TBA
- Game 4: Mississippi State vs. Cincinnati, 8 p.m., TBA
Sunday, May 31
- Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m., TBA
- Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., TBA
Monday, June 1
- Game 7 (if necessary): TBA
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: Tomas, Vytas Valincius pronounce last name differently. Here's why
Continue reading...
