It seems like State should play 4 game weekends more often.
The Dogs finished their second weekend of 4-game action a perfect 4-0, pushing their total in the last two weekends to 8-0. The dog's young hitters seem to be coming into a groove, and it none too soon as SEC play looms two weekends from now. Pitching again was strong for the dogs, as Chris Stratton, Trevor Fitts, Nick Routt and Jonathan Holder all picked up victories on the weekend. Here's how each of the 4 games went for the Diamond Dogs.
Game 1: MSU vs. UCONN (Univ. of Connecticut), Friday
The Bulldogs started the weekend off against a talented opponent in the University of Connecticut Huskies, and the Huskies certainly came to play on Friday night. UCONN jumped on the dogs first with a 3 run HR by Tom Verdi. The Huskies would add another run and take a 4-0 lead into the 7th inning. But State would chip away with 1 run in the 7th and 2 in the 8th, heading into the bottom of the 9th down 4-3. In the 9th the dogs' Matthew Britton led off with a single, followed by and sacrifice bunt by Demarcus Henderson to advance Britton. Adam Frazier then reached by a throwing error on the 2nd baseman, and promptly stole 2nd, placing both he and Britton in scoring position. C Mitch Slauter then hit a chopper to the Husky 3B who threw home to try to put out Britton. His throw instead sailed wide, allowing both Britton and Frazier to come home to score, ending the game in dramatic fashion.
Chris Stratton (3-0) worked 6 innings of relief again for Ben Bracewell to pick up the win. Bracewell, who only threw 42 pitches Friday, left the game with some soreness.
Player of the game:
Chris Stratton / Jr. / RHP | 6.0IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 9Ks, 87TP
It was over when:
Husky 3B Mike Friel's throw home to put out Matthew Britton instead sailed wide, allowing both Britton and Frazier to score.
Official Statistics:
Mississippi State vs. Connecticut Statistics
Video Highlights:
Game 2: MSU vs. Lipscomb, Saturday
Powered by Hunter Renfroe (3 for 4, 4 RBI's) and a 4 run 2nd inning, State picked up a 6-4 victory of Lipscomb in the first of 2 games Saturday for the dogs. Trevor Fitts (2-0) replaced MSU starter Kendall Graveman and notched 4.1 innings of relief to pick up the win.
Player of the game:
Hunter Renfroe / So. / C-DH-OF | 3 for 4, 4 RBI's
Official Statistics:
Mississippi State vs. Lipscomb Statistics
Video Highlights:
Mississippi State vs. UCONN (2nd matchup), Saturday
In the afternoon matchup of Saturday's twinbill, Bulldog ace Nick Routt (1-0) tossed 6 innings of 4 hit, 1 run ball in leading State to a 3-1 win over the Huskies. On the offensive side of things, RS-Fr. Demacus Henderson tallied 3 hits for the dogs, while So. CT Bradford chipped in 2 RBI's.
Player of the game:
Demarcus Henderson / RS-Fr. / INF | 3 for 4, 2 SB's
It was over when:
CT Bradford's single up the middle in the 2nd inning drove in 2 runs.
Official Statistics:
Mississippi State vs. UCONN (2nd matchup) Statistics
Video Highlights:
None available
Mississippi State vs. Lipscomb (2nd matchup), Sunday
In the finale of the weekend's round robin action for the dogs, State put forth an offensive explosion, scoring 16 runs in a 16-6 throttling of Lipscomb in the second matchup of the 2 teams on the weekend. Lipscomb got to MSU starter Fr. Will Cox early, but the bulldogs quickly battle back into the lead thanks to a 5 run second inning of their own. State (stop me if you've heard this before) was led offensively by CF CT Bradford, who had 6 (6!) RBI's on the contest. The dogs used 6 pitchers on the mound for the game, with Fr. Jonathan Holder (1-0) earning the win for State.
Player of the game:
C.T. Bradford / So. / OF | 3 for 4, 6 RBI's, SB
It was over when:
State answered Lipscomb's 3 run 2nd inning with a 5 run outburst of their own.
Official Statistics:
Mississippi State vs. Lipscomb (2nd matchup) Statistics
Video Highlights:
State returns to action this Tuesday as they take on B1G foe Penn State in a 2 game, mid week matchup at The Dude. First pitch for both games is at 6:30.