Skip to main content
Mississippi State

Gators walk off Bulldogs, again, in brutal series outcome

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk03/31/24RobbieFaulkOn3
SLV_0804 (1)
Mississippi State OF Bryce Chance

For the second time this weekend, No. 6 Florida ripped the No. 21 Diamond Dawgs’ hearts out.

With a one-run lead in the 9th inning, Evan Siary faced one of the best hitters in college baseball and Jac Caglianone made him pay. Siary’s pitch would land over the fence in right field and State lost for the second time this weekend on a walk off, 4-3.

It was a brutal end to a weekend in which the Diamond Dawgs did everything to sweep a top 10 team on the road with the exception of closing out the two ball games. On Friday night, MSU led 6-2 going into the 8th inning before surrendering two runs in that frame and another three in the 9th as State was walked off 7-6.

The Bulldogs left no doubt on Saturday with a 12-2 bludgeoning of the Gators thanks to five home runs from the offense. State came out fighting again on Sunday, but UF had the advantage on the mound.

With ace pitcher Caglianone throwing and Karson Ligon making his first start of the year, the deck appeared stacked against the Diamond Dawgs. Caglianone threw 4.0 innings without allowing a hit as the Gators were able to get a 1-0 lead, but State started to see the pitcher much better in the 5th.

Connor Hujsak doubled to start the inning and Bryce Chance would bring him home to tie the ball game up at 1-1. The Bulldogs continued in the 6th as David Mershon would drive in Johnny Long with an out and Aaron Downs got a bases loaded walk to make it 3-1 as State would chase the All-American utility player.

Caglionone left surrendering three hits, three runs and four walks in 5.2 innings and gave way to Chase McNeillie. The reliever would shut down the Bulldog offense with no runs and just two hits over the course of 3.1 innings.

For State, free bases were killer, just as they were on Friday night. The first run of the game was made possible thanks to two hit batters that started the inning in the 3rd and a wild pitch that would score a run.

A leadoff walk in the 6th also came around to score and the game-winning home run was made possible by a leadoff HBP.

Until that 9th inning, State’s bullpen had done a swell job also. Cam Schuelke pitched 3.0 innings and gave up no hits and one run with two walks and a strikeout. Siary threw 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball with four strikeouts until serving up the two-run shot.

It was a tough weekend to swallow for State (19-10, 4-5 SEC) as the Bulldogs had a series win within their grasp and a case to sweep the vulnerable Gators. MSU will try to come home and find some wins as Central Arkansas comes to Starkville on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

State will host the Georgia Bulldogs in a three-game series this weekend.

You may also like