Mississippi State defeated the University of South Carolina baseball team, 4-3, in an extra-inning game on April 19 at Founders Park.
The close contest saw the Gamecocks tie the game in the eighth inning before Mississippi State scored the winning run in the top of the eleventh. The result marks South Carolina’s third extra-inning game this season and their second during Southeastern Conference play.
South Carolina rallied late when Patrick Evans led off with a single and Tyler Bak was hit by a pitch. After both advanced on a wild pitch, Talmadge LeCroy drove in Bak with a single to deep left field. Jake Randolph then tied it up with an RBI groundout. However, Mississippi State responded as Vytas Valincius singled to start the eleventh, followed by another single from Aidan Teel. An error loaded the bases before Kevin Milewski’s sacrifice fly brought home what proved to be the deciding run.
Earlier in the game, Mississippi State built a lead with Blake Bevis hitting a two-run home run in the second inning and adding another run on an RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth. The Gamecocks got on board when Randolph singled to score Will Craddock.
On pitching duty for South Carolina, Alex Valentin threw five innings allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. Alex Philpott contributed four scoreless innings out of relief and Zach Russell took the loss after surrendering an unearned run over nearly two innings pitched.
LeCroy and Parker Harman each collected two hits for South Carolina while Randolph recorded two runs batted in. Craddock extended his hitting streak to five games during Sunday’s matchup. Philpott has not allowed a run over his last three outings, lowering his earned run average to 3.68.
South Carolina will return to action against Presbyterian on Tuesday night (April 21) at Founders Park.
