MacLeod sharp through 7 innings, No. 6 Mississippi State beats Alabama 4-2

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Junior starting pitcher Christian MacLeod (5-3) allowed two runs on five hits, struck out 10 batters and walked one to help No. 6 Mississippi State beat Alabama 4-2 on Thursday in the series opener at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 38-13 (18-10 SEC). The Crimson Tide drop to 29-20 (12-15 SEC).

After seven innings from MacLeod, sophomore closer Landon Sims tossed the final two innings and allowed just one hit with five strikeouts and one walk to earn his eighth save.

Alabama junior starting pitcher Tyler Ras (6-4) was charged with the loss after tossing 6 ¹⁄₃ innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

The game was scoreless through 4 ¹⁄₂ innings before the Crimson Tide took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to senior Jackson Tate’s home run to right field.

The Bulldogs then scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead for good. Graduate student Scotty Dubrule led off with a walk before scoring on freshman Kellum Clark’s RBI double off the center-field fence. Senior Tanner Leggett then reached on a fielder’s choice sacrifice bunt that put runners on the corners. Freshman Lane Forsythe plated Clark with a single. Senior Tanner Allen then provided a two-RBI double to left-center to give MSU a 4-1 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore Zane Denton drew a walk before MacLeod struck out the next two batters. Tate then singled before freshman Bryce Eblin scored Denton with an RBI single through the right side to end the game’s scoring at 4-2.

Game 2 of the series is set for Friday at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.