A conference series win continued to elude the Mississippi State Diamond Dawgs as they dropped two of three games to the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Friday’s rainout forced a Saturday doubleheader, with the Tide (22-19, 8-10 SEC) outslugging the Bulldogs (16-23, 4-14 SEC) 21-7 in the first game and State rebounding for a 6-4 victory in the nightcap.
Alabama head coach Jim Wells said the first game represented something of a turnaround for the Tide this season.
“We’ve been struggling to get that big hit,” Wells said. “Everybody felt like they could do it tonight. It was very contagious.”
MSU right-hander Chad Crosswhite took the loss for the third time this season, giving up nine runs (five earned) on nine hits with no strikeouts. Freshman southpaw Forrest Moore allowed another seven runs, while sophomore Greg Houston gave up five of his own.
Bulldog catcher Ryan Duffy collected his second three-hit game of the season, with two being doubles. Junior centerfielder Grant Hogue also went 2-for-3, and designated hitter Cody Freeman knocked in two runs for the Bulldogs.
Tide second baseman Ross Wilson tied an Alabama school record with two home runs in the game, while catcher Alex Avila contributed a home run and a triple.
Third baseman Russ Sneed’s two-run double sealed the win for Mississippi State in the second game, with the sophomore going 2-for-3 and scoring twice himself.
“It feels good to finally get the key hit in a timely situation,” Sneed said. “Anytime on an SEC weekend, no matter who you are playing and especially on the road, it’s big to have a chance to win a series.”
Tri-captain John Lalor earned the win for the Bulldogs, striking out three in two scoreless innings.
Junior closer Aaron Weatherford, who attended high school in Fairhope, Ala., grabbed his fourth save with a scoreless eighth and ninth inning.
Weatherford has not allowed an earned run this season.
“That’s what you dream about right there,” Weatherford said. “When it comes against my home state, I can’t think of a better opportunity to do that.”
Wells and the Alabama lineup were also impressed with Weatherford’s performance.
“Once it got to their closer, he’s one of their better players in the league,” Wells said.
MSU head coach Ron Polk said he was pleased with the improved production of the offense in the win and the presence of timely hitting.
“We got some clutch hits and we haven’t had too many of those,” Polk said. “We hit some gappers that they didn’t catch.”
Senior lefty Justin Pigott’s return to the lineup was spoiled after Wilson hit a two-run homer off freshman Michael Busby in the seventh inning to give the Tide a 4-3, series-clinching win on Sunday.
Making his first start since March 15 against Ole Miss, Pigott allowed two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
Busby took the loss, with Wilson’s home run being the only hit he allowed, and Lalor retired the side in the eighth inning.
Sneed led offensively for State again, going 3-for-5 with an RBI double in the first inning. Second baseman Jet Butler and Freeman were the only other Bulldogs with multiple hits.