State Signs Blinn College Pitcher Michael Dixon
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University has signed right-hander pitcher Michael Dixon of Austin, Texas, to a baseball scholarship, head baseball coach John Cohen announced this week.
Dixon, a 6-2, 215-pound right-hander, registered a 7-1 mark with three saves in 2009 pitching for coach Harvey McIntrye at Blinn (Texas) College. He appeared in 19 games, registering 77 strikeouts in 68 innings of mound duty while teamed with fellow MSU baseball signees Trey Johnson and Jonathan Ogden. He began his collegiate career in 2008 after signing with San Diego State, posting a 2-0 record and an 8.31 ERA in 14 relief appearances with the Aztecs.
"Michael is a strong, physical right-hander that has experience pitching at the Division I level," said MSU pitching coach Butch Thompson. "The combination of his experience and talent make him a valuable addition to our pitching staff and a strong candidate for a role as a closer."
Dixon prepped at Austin’s Westlake High School where he compiled a 23-7 career record with a 2.36 earned run average and 207 strikeouts in three seasons. A pitcher and first baseman, Dixon was coached by Jim Darleik, and earned first-team all-state and Austin Area Coaches Association all-star team honors after registering a 9-1 regular season record with a 2.18 earned run average. He fashioned a 2-2 mark in postseason play as the WHS Chaparrals advanced to the region semifinals.
At the plate he hit at a .461 clip in 2007 with 11 doubles, seven home runs, 27 RBI and an .820 slugging percentage in 29 games. A three-time all-district performer and two-time All-Central Texas selection, Dixon posted a 7-4 mark with a 1.56 ERA and a .395 batting average as a junior en route to second-team all-state honors in 2006. Additionally, he earned academic all-district honors in 2007.
The MSU signee is the son of Donna and Mike Dixon of Austin, Texas.