Associated Press - July 29, 2009 8:34 AM ET

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi State pitcher Ricky Bowen has signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds, the school announced Wednesday.

Bowen was drafted by the Reds in the 43rd round of the Major League Baseball draft last month. He has reported to Billings, Mont., where he'll start out with the Reds' Pioneer League affiliate there.

Bowen 2-3 with an 8.44 earned run average last season for the Bulldogs.

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