Mississippi State defeated the University of South Carolina baseball team 5-3 on April 17 at Founders Park. The Bulldogs hit four home runs during the game, including two solo shots and a two-run homer in the first three innings, which gave them an early four-run lead.
The significance of this result is that it affects both teams’ standings and momentum as they continue their series. Mississippi State’s strong offensive showing with multiple home runs proved decisive.
South Carolina responded in the fifth inning when Tyler Bak and Luke Yuhasz each singled, setting up Ethan Lizama for a three-run home run—his first of the year—which narrowed the gap to 4-3. However, Mississippi State added another home run in the ninth inning to secure their lead. Despite putting runners on second and third base in their final opportunity, South Carolina was unable to score further runs.
Lizama, Bak, and Yuhasz led South Carolina’s offense with two hits each. Brandon Stone took the loss for South Carolina after allowing four runs on nine hits over five and two-thirds innings while striking out five batters.
South Carolina’s pitching staff totaled eight strikeouts with only two walks allowed during the game. Logan Prisco contributed by striking out two batters without giving up a hit over one and two-thirds innings pitched. The bottom three hitters in South Carolina’s lineup went six-for-eleven at bat.
Looking ahead, South Carolina will continue its series against Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m., broadcast on SEC Network.
