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Mississippi State Bulldogs Dominate Missouri Tigers in Series Opener

Mississippi State Bulldogs play against Missouri Tigers at the baseball field

News Summary

The Mississippi State Bulldogs delivered an impressive 25-7 victory over the Missouri Tigers in the series opener. With a recent string of successes, the Bulldogs are focused on continuing their winning streak as they take on Missouri in the next two games of the series. Junior pitcher Pico Kohn led the charge, striking out opponents while the Bulldogs showcased their offensive power. As the series continues, fans eagerly await to see if Mississippi State can maintain their dominance.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Dominate Missouri Tigers in Series Opener

Starkville, MS – The Mississippi State Bulldogs are riding high on a two-series winning streak, having swept the Kentucky Wildcats and snatched a series from rivals Ole Miss. As the regular season winds down, the Bulldogs have their sights set on a strong finish against the Missouri Tigers.

The action kicked off on Thursday evening with Game 1 of the three-game series, and let’s just say, Mississippi State stole the show with an impressive 25-7 victory! The excitement doesn’t stop there; Games 2 and 3 are slated for Friday and Saturday, with the Bulldogs looking to maintain their momentum.

Fans can catch all the action on SEC Network+, making sure no one misses a beat as they cheer for their favorite team!

Key Players Stepping Up

Junior left-hander Pico Kohn took the mound for the Bulldogs on Thursday. Kohn, with 100 strikeouts under his belt, is ranked fifth in the SEC and has pitched 72 innings, tied for seventh in the conference. His record sits at 5-3 with a 4.38 ERA, and he’s proven to be a formidable opponent with a .225 opponent batting average. Kohn’s significant presence was felt as he led the team to this resounding win.

On the other side, freshman pitcher Brady Kehlenbrink started for Missouri, facing a tough lineup. With an 0-4 record and a 9.68 ERA, Kehlenbrink’s challenge was to quell Mississippi State’s fervor. Unfortunately for the Tigers, their pitching woes continued as they used eight different pitchers in the game, ultimately adding to their struggles this season.

What’s Next for the Bulldogs?

The excitement doesn’t end with Kohn. Evan Siary, the reigning National and SEC Pitcher of the Week, is slated to take the mound for the Bulldogs in Friday’s game, followed by Karson Ligon on Saturday, adding to the anticipation of the series.

With Mississippi State leading the all-time series against Missouri 13-7 and having won two out of three matchups last season, the Bulldogs are in a prime position to finish strong. Under the guidance of interim head coach Justin Parker, who took over on April 28, the Bulldogs have won six out of their last seven games, showcasing a powerful turnaround.

Bulldogs’ Performance Highlights

Currently, Mississippi State boasts an overall record of 31-20, with a conference record of 12-15. Their batting average sits at an impressive .302, and they have launched a total of 82 home runs this season, averaging 7.6 runs scored per game. The Bulldogs’ fielding percentage of .972 speaks volumes about their defensive prowess, and they have stolen 41 bases in 49 attempts, making them a threat on the bases.

Leading the charge offensively is Ace Reese, who has recorded 68 hits, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 17 home runs, and 60 RBIs. He’s currently on an 18-game hitting streak and has registered 21 multi-hit games this season! On the other hand, senior Hunter Hines is not too far behind, having hit 65 career home runs. This remarkable feat has placed him second among active Division I players and in school history.

Missouri’s Struggles in the Spotlight

As for the Missouri Tigers, they come into the series with a record of 16-35 and a disappointing 3-24 in the SEC. Their recent success came as a surprise when they managed to sweep Texas A&M for their first three conference wins of the season. Led by Jackson Lovich, who has a .357 batting average and 11 home runs, Missouri continues to fight despite challenges.

However, their pitching staff, which has an ERA of 8.82 and has surrendered 87 home runs this season, struggles against powerful lineups like Mississippi State’s. The Tigers’ defense ranks last in the SEC with a fielding percentage of .965, compounding their woes this season.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the rest of the series as the Bulldogs look to assert their dominance once again while the Tigers aim to turn things around. With the stakes high, the anticipation is palpable as Game 2 is set to continue this thrilling showdown!