Highs and lows continued to be the story of the season for the Mississippi State Bulldogs as they split a mid-week series with the South Alabama Jaguars. Tuesday’s 6-5 loss featured the Bulldogs’ lineup hitting into four double plays to go along with the nine that were turned against them in the last weekend’s series sweep to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The Bulldogs (10-13, 1-5 SEC) have now hit into 38 double plays through their 23 games this season, a situation that has head coach Ron Polk and his players collectively scratching their heads.
“I don’t know what the deal is with the double play ball, but I’m a victim too,” said first baseman Tyler Moore, who went 2-for-4 with two home runs in Tuesday’s loss. “We’re hitting balls hard enough; they’re just always right at someone.”
Polk chalked the numerous double plays as a dominant factor in not only Tuesday’s loss but also in the previous weekend’s struggles.
“The double plays hurt. I thought we swung the bat pretty good,” Polk said. “I thought we pitched pretty good and for the most part played good defense, but the double plays are what hurt us against South Carolina. We hit nine there, and we hit four tonight.”
The Bulldogs mounted a ninth-inning rally, began by Moore’s second home run of the night, a towering shot over the left field wall.
Second baseman Jet Butler drew a walk, but Grant Hogue hit into a fielder’s choice to force out pinch runner Mark Goforth. Freshman outfielder Ryan Collins continued the inning with a base hit through the left side of the infield, and Jason Nappi drew a four-pitch walk. The Bulldogs’ chances were extinguished, however, when freshman catcher Cody Freeman popped up to end the game.
Bulldog starter Greg Houston was chased in the third inning after allowing five hits and four earned runs.
Tyler Whitney worked almost three innings of scoreless relief before Jared Koon was touched for a two-run sixth inning. Andy Wilson and Chad Crosswhite combined for a scoreless final three innings.
Moore said the team remains puzzled about its slow start to the season.
“I think we hit the ball so hard sometimes, but there’s always someone there, and then other times we’re out of a big inning when we should still be in there,” Moore said. “I find myself running to first base, thinking, ‘We should have two or three more runs than this.'”
Wednesday’s 11th inning 7-6 victory was capped off by shortstop Russ Sneed’s first home run of the season, a walk-off blast over the left field fence.
Sneed said the win should be a morale booster for the team as they prepare to face another tough SEC opponent in the Georgia Bulldogs.
“It’s a momentum builder. I think we just need to string together a couple of wins,” Sneed said.
The Bulldogs bullpen also shined in the win after starter Jared Wesson was charged for four runs in the first inning.
Freshman left-hander Forrest Moore allowed just two runs in his five innings of work, while tri-captains John Lalor and Chad Crosswhite combined for five innings of shutout ball.
Crosswhite (1-2) earned the win after striking out the side in the 11th inning.
After struggling thus far this season, Crosswhite said he was glad to have everything on track in Wednesday’s outing.
“I was glad to come out there and throw strikes. I’m just glad we won,” Crosswhite said. “Russ came through with a big one for us.”
The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to Georgia and another Super Bulldog Weekend matchup, where the question will be how well they can perform in the absence of several key players.
Sophomore second baseman Brandon Turner will likely be out of commission for a handful of games again after tweaking his nagging hamstring injury in Friday’s loss at South Carolina.
Normal Friday starter Justin Pigott and closer Aaron Weatherford are also likely to be out of the action with arm troubles.
With the injuries, Polk is still uncertain of the weekend’s rotation, but it can be ensured that sophomore Ricky Bowen will take the mound on Sunday. Lee Swindle is the likely candidate to start on Saturday.