Q&A: Houston Harding

STARKVILLE - Throughout the 2021 baseball season, HailState.com will catch up with baseball student-athletes to talk about the game, personal favorites and everything that makes them unique. This week, we catch up with freshman Houston Harding.

Q: Who was Houston Harding the football player?
HH: I love football. I really liked hitting folks. My favorite side of the ball was defense. I wasn't the biggest [guy]. I played offensive tackle and defensive end and wasn't the biggest at either, but I had a lot of fun doing it and I would definitely come across that ball and hit you.

Q: Who had the biggest influence on your baseball career?
HH: My dad. He put a baseball in my hand when I was a little kid, and he worked with me, taught me the fundamentals and let me pick it up from there and run with it.

Q: How did you come up with your pitching motion?
HH: I think that happened towards the end of my high school career. It's really more than anything something to settle me on the mound. It really just helps me take a deep breath, lock back in and get ready for the next pitch. It's more of a habit at this point.

Q: Describe what it is like pitching at The Dude.
HH: Oh, it's unreal. There's no other feeling like it. It's something you dream about from the first time you touch a baseball. Being able to do it was a dream come true.

Q: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make from junior college to Mississippi State?
HH: Refining my game. I think the percentage of bad pitches that I could get away with in junior college was way higher than here. I can't get away with as much free stuff, missing spots, not putting the ball where it needs to be. I would say the percentage of misses is a lot lower in the SEC.

Q: What is it like playing for Scott Foxhall?
HH: It's awesome. He makes sure we're all ready to go. I never really had a pitching coach until I got to Mississippi State, [or] I didn't have one that was as hands on as coach [Foxhall]. He really cares for his players and makes sure we're all working to get better and working to improve each of our games. It has made all the difference in the world. I have seen my game jump since I've been here, so I just love it.

Q: Who was the first person you called when you were approved for graduation? How much does it mean to leave MSU with your degree in hand?
HH: The first person I called was my [grandmother]. I knew that she would be excited. It was something that she had wanted me to do for a while, so I had to make sure I called her.

It's the best-case scenario. You see a lot of guys come here and play for a couple years and then they get drafted go to professional baseball. If I get that opportunity, I'll have my degree in hand so I'll have plan B ready to go as soon as baseball ends. So, I think it's definitely huge.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Houston Harding

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