HOOVER, AL — The No. 8 seed Mississippi State Bulldogs exploded for an eight-run sixth inning to defeat the No. 16 seed Missouri Tigers 12-2 via a seven-inning run-rule on Wednesday at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
The game lasted two hours and 19 minutes with an official box score attendance of zero. Weather conditions were not provided in the final game book.
Missouri struck first in the top of the first inning when shortstop Kam Durnin hit a solo home run to center field. Mississippi State responded in the bottom of the second to take a lead they would never relinquish. Shortstop Ryder Woodson delivered the game-winning hit, launching a three-run home run to left field to score right fielder Jacob Parker and center fielder Bryce Chance.
The Tigers cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly from third baseman Chris Patterson that scored center fielder Kaden Peer. However, the Bulldogs answered in the bottom half of the frame when second baseman Gehrig Frei laced an RBI single up the middle to score Chance.
Mississippi State broke the game wide open in the bottom of the sixth. Left fielder Vytas Valincius led off the frame with a solo home run. Later in the inning, Frei was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, third baseman Ace Reese drew a bases-loaded walk, and designated hitter Noah Sullivan hit an RBI single. Parker added an RBI groundout before Vytas Valincius capped the onslaught with his second home run of the inning, a three-run blast to left-center.
Vytas Valincius paced the Bulldogs, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Woodson finished 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs, while Chance scored three runs. Durnin led Missouri with a 1-for-3 performance, including a home run and an RBI.
“That sixth inning was what we’re about,” Mississippi State head coach Brian O’Connor said. “We started getting back to what we do and that’s grind out at-bats and take what the game gives you.” Vytas Valincius added on his two-homer inning, “I was just trying to see the ball early and then I put a good swing on it. Yeah, it worked out.”
Missouri head coach Kerrick Jackson acknowledged the Bulldogs’ firepower. “Guys on the bump ran out of gas,” Jackson said. “That’s a good offensive ballclub. And when we made mistakes in the middle of the plate, they didn’t miss those mistakes.”
Mississippi State starting pitcher Tomas Valincius earned the win, improving to 10-2. He tossed 6.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out eight batters and walking none. Missouri starter Brady Kehlenbrink (3-10) took the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits over 4.1 innings. No save was recorded in the contest.
Team Records and Tournament Status:
- Mississippi State Bulldogs (40-16): The Bulldogs advance to the Quarterfinals to face the No. 1 seed Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday, May 21 at 3:00 p.m. CT.
- Missouri Tigers (24-31): The Tigers are officially eliminated from the SEC Tournament.
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