Alabama Drops Series-Opener at Mississippi State, 13-3

[Diamond Tide]

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead on Friday night and never looked back

5/3/2024

STARKVILLE, MS – Alabama baseball dropped game one of the weekend series with 16th-ranked Mississippi State, 13-3, on Friday evening at Dudy Noble Field. With the loss, the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide moves to 28-17 overall and 9-13 in Southeastern Conference play.

Mississippi State wasted no time getting on the board, plating six runs over the first three innings to gain the early advantage. The Bulldogs then posted a six-run fourth to build a 12-0 lead. The Crimson Tide chipped away for three of their own in the fifth, but MSU followed with one run in the sixth to give the Bulldogs the run-rule victory.

Khal Stephen (7-3) got the win, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. The loss went to Tide starter Greg Farone (4-2).

From Associate Head Coach Jason Jackson
"We just didn't locate the heater tonight and left breaking balls over too much of the plate. They did a good job of taking advantage of our mistakes on the mound. We had some really good at-bats, a lot of loud outs, a lot of baserunners and nine hits, but they made the pitches when they had to, and we did not."

How It Happened

• B1 | Hunter Hines got State on the board with a three-run homer. (3-0, Mississippi State)
• B2 | The Bulldogs added a run on a two-out RBI-single to left. (4-0, Mississippi State)
• B3 | Hines started the third with a solo homer. Later in the frame, a two-out single added one more for MSU. (6-0, Mississippi State)
• B4 | Mississippi State crossed six runs, highlighted by a solo homer from Bryce Chance and a grand slam by Amani Larry. (12-0, Mississippi State)
• T5 | Evan Sleight began the inning with a single and advanced to third on a single from Bryce Eblin. Gage Miller then got the Tide on the board with a sacrifice fly in the next at-bat. After a walk by Ian Petrutz, Justin Lebron split the gap in right for an RBI-double to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Another walk loaded the bases for Kade Snell, who capped the scoring with an RBI-single that added one more. (12-3, Mississippi State)
• B6 | The Bulldog leadoff man began the frame with a single and advanced to third on another single and a wild pitch before a sacrifice fly added one to the advantage. (13-3, Mississippi State)

Postgame Notes

• Justin Lebron extended his hitting streak to nine games. During the streak, Lebron is batting .439 (18-41) with three doubles, six home runs, 14 RBI, 13 runs and two hit-by-pitch.
• Kade Snell has now recorded a hit in seven straight games. Over the streak, the redshirt junior is batting .466 (14-30) with two doubles, one homer, eight RBI, seven runs scored, one walk and a hit-by-pitch.
• TJ McCants' hitting streak ended at 10 consecutive games. Over that stretch, the senior batted .409 (18-44) with two doubles, one triple, a homer, seven RBI, 10 runs scored, two walks and one stolen base.
• Mac Guscette's hitting streak ended at seven games. Across that time, the Tide backstop batted .667 (16-24) with three doubles, four home runs, 17 RBI, 10 runs, two walks and two hit-by-pitch.

Alabama and Mississippi State will meet for game two of the series on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide will look to freshman left-hander Zane Adams while the Bulldogs counter with sophomore Jurrangelo Cijntje. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

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-UA-


RTR,

Diamond Tide