After a 6-1 setback to Mercer Saturday afternoon that ended the Bulldog's 7 game winning streak, the dogs bounced back this afternoon to defeat the Bears 3-1 at Dudy Noble Field. The win pushed the dogs to 14-3, while Mercer fell to 12-5. The win also wrapped up the dogs 17 game season opening home stand, as the dogs will travel to Hammond, Louisiana to take on Southeastern Louisiana before heading to Baton Rouge to take on LSU to open SEC play next weekend.
On Sunday afternoon, the dogs were led by the outstanding pitching performance from Junior Kendall Graveman. Graveman nearly went the distance, pitching 8.1 innings and striking out 8 while only giving up 3 hits all game. Senior closer Caleb Reed came in to finish off the 9th, slamming the door on the Bears and registering a strikeout of his own.
The dogs again were fairly silent swinging the bat on the day, but the 3 runs and 7 hits turned out to be all they would need to back Graveman's career performance on the mound. The maroon and white used RBI's from Trey Porter, Mitch Slauter and Demarcus Henderson to push across their 3 runs on the day.
The dogs return to action Tuesday as they begin their spring break tour of the boot state with the first of two games in lovely Hammond against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. Check after the jump for the player of the game, "it was over when..", and video highlights from this afternoon's series winner.
Player of the Game:
Kendall Graveman / Jr. / RHP | 8.1IP, 3H, 1ER, 1R, 1BB, 8K's, 109TP
It was over when:
Really it was over when Graveman first toed the rubber today. He brought his absolute A game, and this is the kind of outing that many have expected from the talented Junior since he first arrived on campus from Alexander City, Alabama.
Official Statistics:
Mississippi State vs. Mercer, Game 3 (Sunday)
Video Highlights:
Coach Cohen Post Game Comments: