Mississippi State Drops Pitchers Duel WIth Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. – Runs were at a premium Friday night at Plainsman Park, as the Diamond Dawgs dropped a 2-1 contest in the opening game of a three-game Southeastern Conference series against the Tigers.

MSU fell to 18-17 (4-9 SEC), while Auburn improved to 24-11 (5-8 SEC).

Starting pitchers Konnor Pilkington and Casey Mize both pitched tremendously in the game.

Pilkington (2-5) was one out shy of a complete game for the Dawgs. He pitched 7.2 innings, allowing two runs—both earned—on just four hits. He had three strikeouts and one walk. Cole Gordon completed the eighth inning with the Tigers leaving the bases loaded.

Mize (7-1) earned the win in his second complete game of the season. He allowed one run on five hits. He struck out nine batters and walked one.

Auburn took a 1-0 lead in the second inning after Brett Wright doubled, took third on a wild pitch and scored on sacrifice fly. The Tigers added another run in the third inning after Jay Estes hit a double of his own. He reached home after Will Holland singled.

State’s only run of the game came in the sixth frame when Jake Mangum reached on a dropped third strike and scored on a two-out triple by Tanner Allen.

MSU out-hit the Tigers 5-4 in the ballgame. Hunter Stovall’s two hits were the game-high.

The series will continue today with a 2 p.m. CT first pitch from Plainsman Park, which can be viewed on SEC Network+.