Chris Lemonis breaks down Mississippi State's dominant Friday night win at Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A seven-run sixth inning broke Friday night’s ball game open as No. 22 Mississippi State was able to roll over Ole Miss 8-0.
Khal Stephen threw a gem of a ball game for State to lead the way as he went 8.0 innings, scattered just three hits, walked no one and struck out nine batters.
After the game, head coach Chris Lemonis gave his thoughts to the media in Oxford about the big Bulldog win.
Question: Any thoughts about letting Khal get back out there for the ninth inning to finish things?
“Not really. Not 8-0. If it had been 3-0, maybe. I walked by him at the water cool and told him good game and I’m not going to tell you what he said back but it wasn’t real nice. Then he went out to (Justin Parker), Park said the same thing and it wasn’t real nice again. 8-0 in the eighth and getting ready for another big start next Friday is just the smart thing to do, but he was awesome. Just dominated the game from the first pitch.”
Q: Last year he came in here and lasted just 2.0 innings with Purdue. What did you see from him to bounce back that way?
CL: “The thing about him is he’s a lot different pitcher than he was a year ago. He’s just gotten better. His confidence. The off-speed has gotten so much better – he can throw at any time at any pitch. That fastball has a lot of ride to it and he can command it. It just makes it tough for hitters.”
Q: How much has Johnny Long helped this pitching staff with their pitches?
CL: “It’s huge. Johnny’s energy, Johnny’s receiving is huge back there and they’ll tell you that. And Joe Powell. Joe Powell against Georgia on Sunday was good too and didn’t miss a strike all day long. We’ve got two guys back there who play really well and Johnny was really good (Friday).”
Q: Two weeks in a row that you got a leadoff bunt from David Mershon to leadoff a big inning. Was that his call again like last week?
CL: “Same thing.He’s just on his own. He knows that he has it on his own and the steals are on his own. He’s a very instinctive guy – you just want him to feel it. If I give it to him each time, he’s looking to third. He does it so good. He does it on his own.”
Q: How does a commanding win on Friday night set the tone for the weekend?
CL: “You should feel good about yourself, but they know they have work to do (Saturday). It’s a rivalry game. They’re going to come out with the same energy tomorrow and they have a really good arm throwing tomorrow so we’re going to have to come out again and fight and claw and do everything that we can. It should give you a little bit of confidence going to bed tonight.”
Q: Do you see Logan Kohler coming out of it a little bit at the plate?
CL: “Yeah, I think so. He spends a lot of time. Every time I come into Palmeiro (Center) he’s hitting. He’s spent a lot of time with coach (Jake) Gautreau. He’s been a good player his whole career, just had a slow start to the season. Usually that evens out and I think that’s what we’re starting to see.”
Q: After the seven-run inning Khal came out and got a quick frame. How difficult is that to come back out and command after sitting for a long time?
CL: “It used to be harder but now we have these rubber balls. I don’t know if you look in our dugout but he’s slinging it against the wall that whole inning. It really is something because they’re not allowed to throw out here. I think it’s more mental is what you worry about with those guys sitting around too long. They’re ready to pitch again. A seven-spot is pretty good too, so it should help you pitch better.”
Q: What’s it like having Dakota Jordan and some of these other Mississippi guys in the dugout for this series?
CL: “I stepped into this program and Jake Mangum was here and, God, he hated these guys. A guy like Dakota just carries that on. Tanner Allen wasn’t from Mississippi, but he did not like Ole Miss. There’s a rivalry piece with these guys and it means a lot to the guys in our clubhouse.”
