Mississippi State will look to even the series with Florida tonight under the lights at Dudy Noble Field.
Steve Robertson
STARKVILLE - Mississippi State (23-15, 5-11 SEC) will look to bring things level with Florida (26-14, 5-11 SEC) tonight at 7:30 PM CT. The game is being broadcast by ESPN and can be streamed on the ESPN App. The game can also be heard on the Bulldog Baseball radio network.
Last night, Mississippi State turned a 3-2 lead over to the Bulldog bullpen only to see that advantage evaporate quickly. In the end, State lost 13-3 in eight innings. Stone Simmons struggled for the first time in SEC play and Chase Hungate left the game with a shoulder injury. The Bulldogs certainly need this one to force a rubber game on Sunday. State can ill afford to drop this series.
Mississippi State will send RHP Evan Siary (0-1, 3.91 ERA) to the mound. Siary has become a regular opener in recent week. He will make his fifth start of the season. Siary has worked 23 innings, allowing ten earned runs on twenty hits. He has fanned 27 and walked 8. Opponents are hitting .227 against him. Big Ben Davis will likely be the first guy out of the pen.
Florida will counter with freshman RHP Aidan King (4-1, 3.68 ERA). So far this season, King has worked 40.1 innings allowing 12 earned runs on 31 hits. He has struck out 44 and walked 12. Opponents are hitting .209 against him. King entered the weekend rotation after starter Pierce Coppola was sidelined with an apparent injury. King has one win against SEC competition and that came last weekend against Missouri. This evening will be his seventh start of the season.
Mississippi State line-up:
1. Gehrig Frei LF
2. Sawyer Reeves SS
3. Ace Reese 3B
4. Noah Sullivan DH
5. Hunter Hines 1B
6. Reed Stallman RF
7. Ross Highfill C
8. Nolan Stevens CF
9. Gatlin Sanders 2B
Florida line-up:
1. Bobby Boser 3B
2. Colby Shelton SS
3. Brendan Lawson 1B
4. Luke Heyman C
5. Blake Cyr LF
6. Brody Donay DH
7. Hayden Yost CF
8. Ashton Wilson RF
9. Justin Nadeau 2B
1st inning
Top 1st:
1. Boser takes strike one 0-1, slider misses away 1-1, fouled back 1-2, fastball away 2-2, swings over the change K, one down.
2. Shelton ball away 1-0, swing and a miss 1-1, change up pulled foul into the UF bullpen 1-2, fastball down, 2-2 slider fouled back, breaks up the heater to stay alive. check swing on the backfoot slider K, two down.
3. Lawson fastball down 1-0 short fly into left and no one sees it, it drops for a double.
4. Heyman fast ball down and away 1-0, wild pitch and the runner takes third, 2-0, ball up and away 3-0, get me over strike called 3-1, fastball away for the walk.
5. Cyr swing and a miss 0-1, slapped into center 1-0 UF, the missed pop fly comes back to haunt us.
6. Donay fastball away 1-0 pop up to center and Sanders has it, side retired.
1-0 UF
Bottom 1st:
1. Frei takes strike one 0-1, ball in 1-1, swings over the slider 1-2, chopped foul along the first base line, swing and a miss on the fastball, one down.
2. Reeves bunt down, but a little too hard, third baseman makes a nice play to throw him out, two down.
3. Reese slider on the inside corner 0-1, takes strike two, 0-2, might have been the splitter, fouled away, fastball down and away 1-2, UF was in the shift and Ace makes them pay with a hard grounder through the five hole. single
4. Sullivan fastball down and in 1-0, slider on the outside corner, 1-1, fastball down 2-1, ball up is called strike two 2-2, fisted foul, fastball in to run it full, runner going on the pitch, pulled just outside the bag at third. runner takes off, pulled foul, fouled back again, ripped for a two-run shot into left center 2-1 State
5. Hines ball down 1-0, ball in 2-0, takes the fastball for strike 2-1, change pulled foul outside of first 2-2, takes strike three inning over.
2-1 State
2nd inning
Top 2nd:
7. Yost takes ball one low 1-0, strike one on the outside corner 1-1, swing and a miss on the slider 1-2, lined foul outside of first. swing and a miss on the slider down K, one down.
8. Wilson strike one called 0-1, check swing, called strike 0-2, fastball just off the corner away 1-2, slider well outside 2-2, change down to run it full. grounded out to short, two down.
9. Nadeau ball down 1-0, strike one, tapped foul 1-2, pulled foul, grounded to first and Hines makes the play, side retired.
2-1 State
Bottom 2nd:
6. Stallman ball down, 1-0, hit by the pitch.
7. Highfill shows bunt takes strike one 0-1, fouled away 0-2, fouled the fastball back, singled into left. mound visit.
8. Stevens ball down 1-0, ball in 2-0, ball down and in 3-0, ball down for the walk and the bases are loaded.
9. Sanders fastball away 1-0, takes strike one 1-1, swing and a miss 2-1, swinging strike two, swing and a miss K, one down
1. Frei ball down 1-0, fouled back 1-1, fouled out to the 3B on the apron. two down
2. Reeves fastball away 1-0, change up lands for strike one 1-1, pop out to SS, State leaves them loaded, That's not winning baseball. Needed something.
2-1 State
3rd inning
Top 3rd:
1. Boser breaking ball away 1-0, slider away 2-0, took something off the fastball and it's there 2-1, change up fouled back 2-2, fastball just off the plate, crowd groans, but Ross set up away. full count fastball misses away walk.
2. Shelton takes strike one 0-1, fouled back 0-2, State goes into the shift. runner bluffs, fouled back, fastball fouled back, change up misses away 1-2, grounded into the shift, runner never stops and comes all the way around to third. hitter is out, one down.
3. Lawson fouled back 0-1, change up down 1-1, pulled foul 1-2, swing and a miss K, two down, huge out there.
4. Heyman slider down and away 1-0, ball down 2-0, swings over the change 2-1, fastball on the corner 2-2, same pitch, called a ball this time, crowd explodes with booes, full count. called strike three on the breaker. That's winning baseball.
2-1 State
Bottom 3rd:
3. Reese takes a fastball for strike one 0-1, ball down is called strike two 0-2 swing and a miss on a fastball up, K, one down.
4. Sullivan takes a fastball for strike one 0-1, jammed out to third, he plays it clean to first, two down.
5. Hines fouled the other way 0-1, swing and a miss 0-2, grounded out to third, inning over.
2-1 State
4th inning
Top 4th:
5. Cyr fastball at the knees 0-1, slider down and away 1-1, fouled 1-2, slider down and away 2-2, popped up and Reese has it in foul ground, one down.
6. Donay ball down 1-0, slider down and away 2-0, swings well over the change 2-1, a laser to center that one hops the wall for a double.
7. Yost took something off strike called 0-1, swings over the slider 0-2, tapped back to the mound, runner takes third, out at first, two down.
8. Wilson slide down and away 1-0 takes the change up for strike one 1-1, fastball up 2-1, fastball in there for strike two 2-2, fastball away to run it full, purpose pitch and he wouldn't chase. singled into left, run scores 2-2
9. Nadeau strike one 0-1, runner goes, stolen base, pitch was a strike 0-2, swing and a miss K, side retired.
2-2
Bottom 4th:
6. Stallman swing and a miss at the change 0-1, comes back with it and its inside 1-1, rolled back toward the middle, second baseman has it, close play at first, but he's out, one down
7. Highfill rippped hard to center, he turns right and then has to turn back, he makes the play, two down.
8. Stevens swing and a miss on the change 0-1, fastball up 1-1 fouled out of play 1-2, fastball up 2-2, takes strike three on the inside corner, inning over.
2-2
5th inning
Top 5th:
New Bulldog pitcher is Ben Davis
1. Boser fastball down 1-0, fastball away 2-0, fastball strike one called 2-1, takes ball three low 3-1, fastball down and away walk.
2. Shelton ripped back up the middle for a single, runner holds at second.
3. Lawson inside nearly hit him, 1-0, strike one called 1-1, swing and a miss 1-2, wild pitch allows both runner to move up, 2-2, sword K, one down.
4. Heyman slider swing and miss 0-1, fouled away 0-2, fastball away and he won't chase 1-2, gone, but foul, ground ball to third, out at first, run scores 3-2 UF, two down
5. Cyr fouled away 0-1, ball down 1-1, hot short toward the middle Sanders lays out and gets it on the hop, throws him out at first. side retired
3-2 UF
Bottom 5th:
9. Sanders fouled back 0-1, ball in 1-1, lined into center for a single.
1. Frei singled the other way and Sanders takes third. Ball gets loose and Frei takes second. will be a single and an error. Heads up base running there. mound visit
2. Reeves slider up is called strike one 0-1, ripped foul outside of third 0-2, fouled away, fouled away, fouled away again, it was up, but this ump has loved the high "Strike" swing and a miss on the slider, K, one down.
3. Reese slaps it into right, both runs scores 4-3 State
4. Sullivan fastball fouled back 0-1, ball down and in 1-1, yanked foul 1-2, fastball up and away 2-2, change up in the dirt to run it full, tapped back over the mound, they say he's out at first, but there is no way. He completely blew the call. He's safe upon review.
5. Hines will see RHP Alex Philpott ball away 1-0, swing and a miss 1-1, swings over the slider 1-2, tapped foul, throws the heater by him. Not a good AB.
6. Stallman ball low 1-0, fouled the fastball back 1-1, ball down and away 2-1, swings over the slider 2-2, ball down to run it full, runners will be going on the pitch. ball down for the walk.
7. Highfill check swing over the slider 0-1, capped foul 0-2, fouled back, he's hit by the pitch to force in a run. 5-3 State
8. Stevens takes the slider for strike one 0-1, takes the change away for strike two 0-2, fastball in 1-2, high chop toward the middle they get to it, but can't throw him out, run scores 6-3 State
9. Sanders takes ball one low, 1-0, ball away 2-0, fastball on the outside corner 2-1, fastball down 3-1, swing and a miss to run it full. trail runners will go on the pitch, fouled back and we will do it all again. Payoff pitch fouled back again. fly out to left, inning over.
6-3 State
6th inning
Top 6th:
6. Donay slider away 1-0, swing and a miss on the slider 1-1, strike thrown and not called 2-1, slow roller toward third, Reese has it, but throw not in time. no way he was going to get him on something that soft.
7. Yost fastball away 1-0, fastball low 2-0, fastball called strike one 2-1, hard hit ball toward short, Reeves makes a spectacular play and forces the runner at second, not in time on the DP. standing ovation from some in this crowd for Reeves, one down.
8. Wilson ball down 1-0, another one hit back toward the middle. Reeves lays out, tosses to second and it's a 6-4-3 double play. Big time baseball
6-3 State
Bottom 6th:
1. Frei fastball up 1-0, stood straight up on the delivery well outside 2-0, fly ball to deep center, one down.
2. Reeves slider on the outside corner 0-1, jammed out to third, play made, two down.
3. Reese takes fastball for strike one 0-1, swing over the fastball 0-2, fastball up 1-2, takes strike three, inning over.
6-3 State
7th innning
Top 7th:
Nate Williams is the new Bulldog pitcher
9. Nadeau fastball low 1-0, fastball in there for strike one 1-1, fouled back 1-2, swing and a miss on the ball in the dirt, it's loose and he's safe at first. Hope that doesn't come back to bite.
1. Boser change up lands for strike one 0-1, gone, but foul 0-2, they review it, still foul, singled into left, runner holds at second. took much of the plate there on 0-2.
2. Shelton fastball down 1-0, passed ball and both runners move up. that's not winning baseball there. 2-0, ball away 3-0, fouled outside of first. ball down in the dirt for the walk to load the bases. Parker out.
3. Lawson doubled into left, two runs score 6-5 State
4. Heyman ball down 1-0, ball away 2-0, breaker lands for strike one 2-1 fastball down and away 3-1, breaker fouled back to run it full, really need a punchout here. fastball down for another walk to load the bases again. Unreal.
5. Cyr slider down and away 0-1, fastball away 2-0, fastball away 3-0, fastball in there for strike one 3-1, doubled into the gap and two more runs are home 7-6 UF. That will be all for Williams. Luke Dotson comes on.
6. Donay ball down 1-0, ball down 2-0, ground ball to second, first out is made, run scores 8-6, trail runner takes third.
7. Yost ball down 1-0, strike one called, swinging strike two, ball down 2-2 fouled back 2-2, fouled back 2-2, short fly, nearly collision, but Frei made the catch, runner can't tag. two down.
8. Wilson ball up 1-0, swing and a miss 1-1, fouled back 1-2, ball up 2-2, wild pitch, run scores 9-6, full count, ball up for the walk, of course.
9. Nadeau Dotson picks off the runner, side retired.
9-6 Florida
Bottom 7th:
4. Sullivan singles into right center.
5. Hines will see RHP Jake Clemente swing and miss at the fastball 0-1, fouled back 0-2, check swing on a ball up, K, one down.
6. Stallman swing and a miss on the fastball 0-1, fastball down and away 0-2, two-run bomb deep to right. 9-8 Florida
7. Highfill ball in and to the screen 1-0, breaking ball called strike one 1-1, down and away 2-1, fastball right down the middle 2-2, breaker up to run it full, fouled the fastball back, and he's hit by the pitch.
8. Stevens runner goes, swing and a miss, stolen base, big time play there 0-1, ball down and in 1-1, slider in there for strike two 1-2, waves at fastball well up and out of the zone, K, two down.
9. Sanders fastball down 1-0, swing and a miss on the slider in 1-1, fouled outside of third 1-2, fouled back, ball down 2-2, ball down to fun it full. fouled away, singled into left, Highfill comes around third and is thrown out at the plate. They will review the call, he's out.
9-8 UF
8th inning
Top 8th:
9. Nadeau takes strike one 0-1, ball up 1-1, ball up 2-1, ball high 3-1, ball up for the walk. leadoff walks are of the devil.
1. Boser ball up 1-0, ball up 2-0, strike one called 2-1, swing and a miss 2-2, passed ball, runner takes second. just like a free double. full count. ripped into left for a single. throw in keeps the runner at third, but allows the hitter to take second. Bad situation here after State pulled back to within a run.
2. Shelton strike one called 0-1, breaking ball in the dirt and blocked up well 1-1, fouled back 1-2, swing and a miss on the high heat, K, one down.
3. Lawson will hit with the infield in, fastball up and away 1-0, fastball down and away 2-0, fastball looked up called strike one 2-1, fouled back 2-2, weak swing and a miss K, two down
4. Heyman check swing called strike 0-1, fastball up 1-1, fastball up 2-1, fastball down and in 3-1, crowd doesn't like it, but it's just off the plate. walk
5. Cyr will see Ryan McPherson ball up 1-0, ball away 2-0, takes strike one 2-1, pop up to short right and Sanders has it to leave them loaded.
9-8 UF
Bottom 8th:
1. Frei takes strike one 0-1, ball one down 1-1, swing and a miss on a breaker down, swing and a miss K, one down
2. Reeves slider down 1-0, and another well down and away 2-0, takes the fastball for strike one 2-1 and another heater for the strike 2-2, slider for a called third strike, K, two down.
3. Reese takes the slider for strike one 0-1, fastball down 1-1, fly out to left, inning over
9-8 UF
9th inning
Top 9th:
6. Donay swing and miss 0-1, short fly to center is dropped by Stevens. E8
7. Yost bunt, McPherson falls down, throws it anyway, it gets away, everyone is safe. 1st and 3rd. two errors in the inning. That's not wining baseball.
8. Wilson fastball up 1-0, slider away, ground ball to third, out at first, run scores, unearned 10-8 UF, one out
9. Nadeau takes ball one 1-0, fouled away 1-1, swing and a miss 1-2, fastball up 2-2, lined into center, run scores. 11-8 UF
1. Boser takes a fastball up 1-0, ball two 2-0, takes strike one 2-1, check swing yes 2-2, ball down and away to run it full, takes runner goes, takes strike three, hitter walked in front of Highfill no throw down, Lemonis out to argue. He didn't get tossed, but he got his money's worth. two down, stolen base.
2. Shelton ball down 1-0, takes strike one 1-1, ball down 2-1, ball down 2-2, ball down and in to run it full. swing and a miss K, side retired.
11-8 UF
Bottom 9th:
4. Sullivan takes strike one 0-1, ball down 1-1, fouled into the LF berm, 1-2, fastball well up 2-2, swing and a miss on the heater up, one down.
5. Hines breaker up 1-0, breaker up and away 2-0, ball down and in 3-0, takes fastball for strike one 3-1, high fly to medium right, two down.
6. Stallman ball in 1-0, takes strike one 1-1, slider for strike two 1-2, fastball away 2-2, check swing K to end it.
11-8 UF final
