TCA alum Forsythe transferring to Oklahoma State

Trinity Christian graduate Lane Forsythe is moving.

After finishing his junior season at Mississippi State playing baseball for the Bulldogs, Forsythe announced on Tuesday he’d entered the transfer portal and is going to Oklahoma State.

“I’ve had some great opportunities at Mississippi State,” said Forsythe, who got the bulk of his playing time in Starkville as a freshman and played a big part in the Bulldogs’ winning the 2021 national championship. “But I felt it was best for me to go somewhere where I could get hopefully get more consistent playing time and be able to focus on simply performing when I’m on the field in games.”

Forsythe entered the transfer portal right after the Bulldogs’ season ended in May after failing to qualify for the SEC tournament for the second straight year.

“My name was added to the portal and my contact information, and I started getting calls the next day,” Forsythe said.

Being a part of the transfer portal essentially meant he had a second chance to go through the recruiting process.

“We could take five official visits, and I took four,” Forsythe said. “Oklahoma State was my fourth visit, and when I got there and met with Coach Josh Holliday and his coaching staff, it felt really comfortable for me and where I needed to be.

“Just entering the transfer portal happened after a lot of prayer, and it’s evident from spending some time with them that they’re Christians that put the people in their program first. I really appreciate that and look forward to spending my final year of eligibility with them.”

Forsythe is making the move with the expectation of working for a spot in the starting lineup, but he’s ready for it.

“When we talked about me coming, we discussed me playing shortstop,” Forsythe said. “But I know I’ve got to work for it, and I wouldn’t want to be at Oklahoma State if they were just going to give a starting spot to me.”

The Cowboys finished second in the Big 12 championship tournament and hosted a regional tournament in the college baseball playoffs.

“Oklahoma State is a competitive team, and Coach Holliday does a great job leading them,” Forsythe said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity and ready to get to work.

“Until I find out when I need to get out there, I’m back home now getting my body right and in the gym getting bigger, faster, stronger. Then we’ll see what happens when I get out there.”

Forsythe’s on-field highlight at Mississippi State was being named to the all-tournament team at the 2021 College World Series when Mississippi State won the national championship.

His major is kinesiology.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news