South Alabama Shocks Mississippi State Baseball 6-5

The Bulldogs drop their first game in the Biloxi series.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs drop their first game in Biloxi 6-5 to South Alabama. MSU came into the game on a nine-game winning streak but was humbled by the Jaguars.

It was an excellent start for MSU as Bradley Loftin pitched three scoreless innings and struck out six, and his arm is much-needed in the Bulldog bullpen. However, the good times would not last even when the Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 lead thanks to a pair of home runs from Amani Larry and Dakota Jordan.

The Bulldog offense struggled and did not score another run, and the Jaguars slowly worked their way back into the game. South Alabama trailed 5-4 going into the ninth, facing the MSU closer Brooks Auger, but after a single and then a walk the Jaguars took their first lead with a bases-clearing double.

Dylan Cupp got a leadoff single in the bottom of the inning, and the red-hot Jordan was intentionally walked. It set the stage for Hunter Hines to be the hero, but he continued his slow start and grounded out to first base to end the game.

The Bulldogs needed to carry momentum into conference play but failed. MSU will be back in action tomorrow at 5 p.m. CT on SEC Network+ against New Orleans. 

Here is how it happened

Bottom of the 9th

Cupp gets an infield single to start the inning. A close play, but he beat it by half a step.

Larry lines out to the second baseman for the first out.

Mershon grounds out for the second out. Jordan is intentionally walked. Runners on first and second with two outs.

Hines grounds out to the first baseman to end it.

MSU loses 6-5.

Top of the 9th

Brooks Auger will come in to pitch for MSU.

Hujsak makes the play in center field for the first out.

The Jaguars get a one-out single.

Auger issues a walk. Runners on first and second with one out.

South Alabama clears the bases with a double, and they take the lead.

Auger gets a strikeout, two down.

Auger gets another strikeout to end the inning. The Bulldogs need a run to stay alive.

Bottom of the 8th

Kohler flies out to left field for the first out.

Hujsak pops out to the third baseman, two down.

Powell grounds out to the shortstop to end the inning.

Top of the 8th

Davis issues a leadoff walk.

USA lays down a bunt. Runner on second with one out.

The Bulldogs get a double play with a strikeout and throwing out the runner heading to third.

Bottom of the 7th

Mershon grounds out to the shortstop for the first out.

Jordan grounds a single into right field.

Hines pops out to the pitcher for the second out.

Downs pops it straight up, and the catcher makes the play to end the inning.

MSU leads 5-4.

Top of the 7th

MSU will bring in Cam Schuelke.

Schuelke gets a strikeout looking for the first out.

Schuelke issues a one-out walk.

Another walk by the righty. Runners on first and second with one out.

Schuelke gets a strikeout looking for the second out.

MSU will bring in Tyler Davis to pitch.

The ball gets under Mershon's glove, and a run scores for the Jaguars.

Jordan makes the catch in right field to end the inning.

Bottom of the 6th

Powell grounds out to the first baseman for the first out.

Cupp pops out to the second baseman, two down.

Larry hits it hard, but right at the left fielder to end the inning.

MSU leads 5-3.

Top of the 6th

Nolan Stevens will take over on the mound for MSU.

Stevens issues a leadoff hit-by-pitch.

Jaguars steal second.

Stevens gets a big strikeout for the first out.

Stevens snags a one-hopper back to the mound and gets the runner trying to take third. Runner on second with two outs.

An error by Cupp gives USA runners on the corners.

Cupp makes the play this time and gets the force out at second to end the inning.

Bottom of the 5th

Aaron Downs will pinch-hit for Chance. Downs grounds out to third base.

Kohler grounds it to the first baseman for the second out.

Hujsak grounds out on the first pitch to end the inning.

MSU leads 5-3.

Top of the 5th

A pair of singles for USA. Runners on first and second with no outs.

The Jaguars get an RBI double down the third base line. Runners on second and third with no outs.

Dotson gets a big strikeout for the first out.

Cupp catches the line drive and neither runner advances.

The ball drops between Chance and Cupp in short left field, and two runs score.

Jordan makes the catch in right field to end the inning.

Bottom of the 4th

Kohler strikes out for the first out.

Hujsak drops a single into right field for his second hit of the night.

Hujsak steals second.

Powell draws a walk.

Cupp grounds out to the pitcher. Runners on second and third with two outs.

Larry drives a three-run homerun over the left field wall.

Mershon drives a two-out double into the right-field gap.

Jordan destroys the ball for a two-run home run to right field.

The South Alabama manager just got tossed.

Hines grounds into the shift to end the inning.

MSU le

Top of the 4th

Luke Dotson is in to pitch for MSU.

Dotson gets a strikeout for the first out.

Another strikeout for Dotson, two down.

Cupp makes a nice play to end the inning.

Bottom of the 3rd

Mershon drives a leadoff single up the middle.

Jordan pops out for the first out.

Mershon swipes second.

Hines flies out to right field, and Mershon will stay at second.

Chance strikes out to end the inning.

The score is tied at zero.

Top of the 3rd

Loftin gets a strikeout looking for the first out.

USA gets a one-out single.

Loftin is up to six strikeouts and two down.

Chance makes the play in left field to end the inning.

Bottom of the 2nd

Chance pops out to the second baseman for the first out.

Kohler works a one-out walk.

Kohler is picked off at first base, two down.

Hujsak laces a two-out double into left field.

Hujsak takes third on a passed ball.

Powell walk. Runners on the corners with two outs.

Cupp walks to load the bases.

Larry grounds it to the shortstop, who makes the toss to second base to get the force out and end the inning.

The score is tied at zero.

Top of the 2nd

Jordan catches in shallow right field for the first out.

USA gets a one-out single.

Jaguars steal second.

Loftin picks off the punner as Kohler makes the tag, two down.

Loftin gets his fourth strikeout to end the inning.

Bottom of the 1st

Larry smokes a leadoff double down the left-field line.

Mershon flies out to centerfield. Larry stays at second.

Jordan strikes out looking for the second out.

Hines laces a single into left field, but Larry is thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

The score is tied at zero.

Top of the 1st

The first pitch from Loftin is high for ball one.

Loftin gets a strikeout for the first out.

Another strikeout for Loftin, two down.

Loftin strikes out the side. A solid start for the sophomore. 

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Mississippi State Starters 

South Alabama Starters 

What: Mississippi State Bulldogs (12-4) versus South Alabama Jaguars 11-5)

When: Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.

Where: Shucker Park, Biloxi, Mississippi

TV: SEC Network+

Series: The Bulldogs have a 49-28 advantage in this series. The first meeting came on April 5th, 1976.

Last Meeting: Mississippi State won the previous matchup against the Jaguars 7-5 on April 10th, 2019. Brandon Smith got the win for MSU, and Tanner Allen drove in five runs.

Last time out, Jaguars: South Alabama lost their series finale to Nebraska 12-7. The Jaguars jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first and never recovered from a combined ten runs in the 5th and 6th innings for Nebraska.

Last time out, Bulldogs: Mississippi State finished off the sweep of Evansville in their previous game. The Bulldogs won 13-3 in eight innings, and freshman shortstop Dylan Cupp drove in three runs on four hits.

Mississippi State Starter:

Bradley Loftin

South Alabama Starter:

Mitchell Heer 

Mistakes Cost Mississippi State Baseball their Winning Streak