Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University News

Bulldogs Dominate Missouri in SEC Showdown

Mississippi State Bulldogs play against Missouri Tigers at Taylor Stadium

News Summary

Mississippi State University achieved a commanding 13-3 victory over the University of Missouri in the second game of their SEC series. The Bulldogs quickly established an early lead, highlighted by Joe Powell’s three-run home run and strong performances from Hunter Hines and Ace Reese. The team’s impressive pitching, particularly from Ben Davis, kept Missouri at bay. With this win, Mississippi State improved to 33-20 overall and looks forward to the series finale against Missouri, who will celebrate their Senior Day.

Columbia

Mississippi State University showcased a dominant performance against the University of Missouri, winning 13-3 in the second game of their Southeastern Conference (SEC) series on May 16, 2025, at Taylor Stadium. The Bulldogs enhanced their record to 33-20 overall and 14-15 in SEC play with this victory.

Mississippi State quickly established control of the game, launching an impressive eight-run lead early on. The Bulldogs scored five runs in the first inning alone, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. Joe Powell played a pivotal role by hitting a two-out, three-run home run during the initial frame, coming off a 1-1 pitch from Missouri’s Tony Neubeck.

Early Scoring Surge

Hunter Hines initiated the scoring for Mississippi State with an RBI ground out, followed by Bryce Chance, who contributed a base hit that drove in the second run. After Powell’s home run, Chance extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 8-0 with a two-run homer in the second inning, capitalizing on a two-out error from the Missouri defense.

Missouri’s Response

Missouri managed to put runs on the board in the third inning when Cayden Nicoletto hit a two-run double, marking their first scoring opportunity of the game. However, Mississippi State responded effectively, with Ace Reese adding a solo home run in the fourth inning to push the score to 9-1. Missouri’s Jedier Hernandez also contributed to the scoreboard with an RBI single in the same inning, resulting in a score of 9-3.

Final Rally by Bulldogs

In the sixth inning, Mississippi State further secured their lead with Hines hitting a three-run home run. This not only sealed the victory but also marked a milestone in his career, setting a new all-time home run record for the Bulldogs. Additionally, Noah Sullivan capped off the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, concluding the game at 13-3.

Pitching and Defense Highlights

The Bulldogs’ pitching was equally impressive. Ben Davis (3-2) earned the win by delivering 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief, allowing just one hit and striking out several batters. The combined efforts of Davis and starting pitcher Evan Siary resulted in a total of 11 strikeouts against the Missouri lineup, limiting them to only five hits throughout the game.

Player Performances

For Missouri, Tyler Macon stood out at the plate, achieving a 2-for-3 performance. However, the team’s efforts were insufficient to match the offensive output of Mississippi State.

Looking Ahead

The series finale is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 2 p.m., where Missouri is set to honor 11 student-athletes during their Senior Day celebration.