STARKVILLE, Miss. – Despite rallying from an early two-run deficit on a pair of sixth-inning home runs, University of Missouri baseball came up on the short end of a 4-3 decision against No. 18 Mississippi State Thursday evening in the opening game of the two clubs’ Southeastern Conference series at Dudy Noble Field.
With the score knotted at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth, Joe Powell’s two-out double brought in Bryce Chance with the go-ahead run. The relief duo of Tyson Hardin and Tyler Davis made the slim margin stand, combining to strike out seven hitters over three scoreless innings to close out the win.
The setback ended the Tigers’ quest for a second-straight SEC Tournament berth, as Mizzou dropped to 22-31 overall and 8-20 in conference play.
The power bats in each lineup were on display early in the contest, as five of the first six runs of the night were produced by home runs. Mississippi State (35-18, 16-12 SEC) used a pair of round-trippers to build a two-run advantage, as Amani Larry opened the scoring with a one-out solo shot in the second, before Chance made it a 3-1 game with a solo blast in the fifth.
Each of the Tigers’ first three runs came via the long ball. After the Bulldogs seized a 2-0 advantage thanks to a leadoff triple by Chance in the third, Danny Corona cut the deficit in half by launching his fourth homer of the season to right to lead of the fourth. Mizzou struck again in the top of the sixth when Trevor Austin and Jackson Lovich drove the first two pitches of the inning from MSU starter Khal Stephen out of the park to pull the Tigers even at 3-3.
In the home half of the sixth, Mississippi State took advantage of a one-out walk to Larry, as well as an overturned caught-stealing call at second base that extended the inning. Given the reprieve, Powell lofted a pop up that fell in between a trio of converging MU defenders for his second hit of the night — a run-scoring double that handed the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
From that point, the Bulldogs’ bullpen locked the game down for the home club with three scoreless innings of relief. Hardin fanned four Tigers in a pair of scoreless frames, stranding the potential tying runs in scoring position in the seventh and eighth innings. Davis put the finishing touches on the victory, striking out the side in the ninth to secure his fourth save.
That effort followed a quality start from Stephen (8-3), who struck out eight hitters and scattered three runs on five hits over 6.0 innings to earn his eighth mound victory of the season.
Ian Lohse (0-4) suffered the tough-luck setback, despite matching a season-best with 3.0 innings of relief over which he struck out three and allowed a pair of runs on two hits. First-time starter Kaden Jacobialso equaled his Mizzou career high with 3.0 innings to open the contest, and Victor Quinn recorded 2.0 hitless innings to close out the game.
TIGER NOTEBOOK
The Tigers and Bulldogs will square off again Friday (May 17) for game two of the series. First pitch has been moved to 3 p.m. (CDT) due to the threat of inclement weather.
With the score knotted at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth, Joe Powell’s two-out double brought in Bryce Chance with the go-ahead run. The relief duo of Tyson Hardin and Tyler Davis made the slim margin stand, combining to strike out seven hitters over three scoreless innings to close out the win.
The setback ended the Tigers’ quest for a second-straight SEC Tournament berth, as Mizzou dropped to 22-31 overall and 8-20 in conference play.
The power bats in each lineup were on display early in the contest, as five of the first six runs of the night were produced by home runs. Mississippi State (35-18, 16-12 SEC) used a pair of round-trippers to build a two-run advantage, as Amani Larry opened the scoring with a one-out solo shot in the second, before Chance made it a 3-1 game with a solo blast in the fifth.
Each of the Tigers’ first three runs came via the long ball. After the Bulldogs seized a 2-0 advantage thanks to a leadoff triple by Chance in the third, Danny Corona cut the deficit in half by launching his fourth homer of the season to right to lead of the fourth. Mizzou struck again in the top of the sixth when Trevor Austin and Jackson Lovich drove the first two pitches of the inning from MSU starter Khal Stephen out of the park to pull the Tigers even at 3-3.
In the home half of the sixth, Mississippi State took advantage of a one-out walk to Larry, as well as an overturned caught-stealing call at second base that extended the inning. Given the reprieve, Powell lofted a pop up that fell in between a trio of converging MU defenders for his second hit of the night — a run-scoring double that handed the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
From that point, the Bulldogs’ bullpen locked the game down for the home club with three scoreless innings of relief. Hardin fanned four Tigers in a pair of scoreless frames, stranding the potential tying runs in scoring position in the seventh and eighth innings. Davis put the finishing touches on the victory, striking out the side in the ninth to secure his fourth save.
That effort followed a quality start from Stephen (8-3), who struck out eight hitters and scattered three runs on five hits over 6.0 innings to earn his eighth mound victory of the season.
Ian Lohse (0-4) suffered the tough-luck setback, despite matching a season-best with 3.0 innings of relief over which he struck out three and allowed a pair of runs on two hits. First-time starter Kaden Jacobialso equaled his Mizzou career high with 3.0 innings to open the contest, and Victor Quinn recorded 2.0 hitless innings to close out the game.
TIGER NOTEBOOK
- Mississippi State increased its series advantage over the Tigers to 12-6.
- Corona registered his eighth multi-hit game as a Tiger, six of which have come during SEC play.
- Corona’s fourth-inning homer was his fourth of the season and produced the 100th RBI of his collegiate career.
- Corona also stretched his hit streak to five games, matching the longest of his Mizzou career.
- Austin drew a first-inning walk to extend hisreached base streak to 13-straight games.
- Austin’s home run in the sixth marked his 28thas a Tiger.
The Tigers and Bulldogs will square off again Friday (May 17) for game two of the series. First pitch has been moved to 3 p.m. (CDT) due to the threat of inclement weather.
