Mississippi State Drops Series to #12 Tennessee

Mississippi State (31-15, 9-11 SEC) dropped game 2 of their Super Bulldog Weekend series with #12 Tennessee (34-11, 10-7 SEC) by a margin of 5-3 and consequently lost the series this afternoon.

The Lady Vols scored first today in the first inning due to a walked batter, a sac bunt, and a throwing error. Mississippi State came surging back later, in the bottom of the 2^nd, as the Bulldogs plated 3 runs off of only 1 hit making the score 3-1.

Unfortunately in the top of the 4^th, Tennessee tied the game up at 3-3 on a 2 run dinger into right field by Lexi Overstreet. This is Tennessee's 2^nd homerun of the series and it drove in Taylor Koenig, who hit a solo shot last night.In the top of the 6^th, the Lady Vols would go on to take the lead off of a bases loaded walk. The Lady Vols would extend it by another run on another bases loaded walk. This would go on to be the final score of 5-3.

The Bulldog offense was quieted down and struggled today, as they were only able to get 3 hits through the entire game. MSU matched their total of hits with 3 walks, but they stranded 4 base runners. The base running for State was sporadic today as Loryn Nichols quickly stole 2^nd base in the bottom of the 2nd and Kayla Winkfield would go on to steal home off of a poor throw to 2^nd, which would hit Nichols. Unfortunately, Alexis Silkwood was thrown out later in the 4th inning at home on a 2 out single which would end the threat of scoring.

State turned to Mackenzie Toler to start the game off but she was unable to pitch her way out of the first inning, even though she did get a strikeout. Cassady Knudsen then came in and pitched 3.1 innings while throwing 61 pitches to give up 5 hits and 2 earned runs. She would also strike out 2 and walk 1. Holly Ward would take over for her and throw 2.0 innings and also giving up 2 earned runs of her own. Alexis Silkwood came in to pitch the final frame and got 2 strikeouts Ward would be counted with the loss and her record is now 6-3. UT trusted Cheyanne Tarango to pitch a complete game with 113 pitches. She would strikeout 2 batters, walk 3, and give up 3 earned runs.

The two teams will finish the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 PM as Mississippi State attempts to avoid a sweep.