STARKVILLE – Mississippi State dropped game three of the series to Florida by a score of 6-2 on Sunday (May 8) at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.
There were five scoreless innings played after a 1-1 tie in the second inning before Florida scored five runs in the eighth and ninth innings. The Bulldogs' scoring started in the first inning on a two-out infield pop-up by Hunter Hines that got lost in the sun, scoring Luke Hancock from second. Logan Tanner later homered in the ninth to close the gap.
Cade Smith started on the bump for MSU and made efficient work in his appearance. He went seven full innings allowing just one run on five hits, walked two and fanned seven batters. Pico Kohn, Jackson Fristoe and Drew Talley also made relief appearances.
Along with Logan Tanner's home run, five other Bulldogs picked up base hits: RJ Yeager, Luke Hancock, Hunter Hines, Jess Davis and Lane Forsythe.
The first inning looked promising with Luke Hancock singling up the middle then advancing to second after Logan Tanner drew a walk. Hancock scored on a two-out infield single by Hunter Hines.
But the Gators came back in the bottom of the inning with Jac Caglianone leading off with a single followed by a double to right field by Ty Evans. Josh Rivera grounded out to shortstop, scoring Caglianone.
Sterlin Thompson then hit a solo home run to right field in the second to make it 2-1.
Then the action stopped until the ninth inning.
Florida’s Kris Armstrong drew a walk. Corey Robinson came in as a pinch runner for Armstrong. Rivera singled and Colby Halter drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Wyatt Langford doubled through the right side to score Robinson and Rivera. Thompson singled through the right side to score Halter and Langford.
Mississippi State will travel to face Samford at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 10, at Hoover Met Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.
