Mississippi State baseball live score updates vs Alabama: Bulldogs face Crimson Tide in SEC
STARKVILLE — As the postseason nears, each weekend becomes more important for Mississippi State baseball in its pursuit of hosting NCAA Tournament games. The SEC series against Alabama, which begins Friday at Dudy Noble Field, is no exception.
MSU (30-15, 12-9 SEC) has won eight of its past nine games, capped by a Governor's Cup victory against rival Ole Miss on Wednesday.
The stretch of success started after the Bulldogs dropped two of three in Oxford against the Rebels. Since then, MSU has picked up a three midweek wins while sweeping Auburn at home and taking two at Vanderbilt.
MORE: Watch Mississippi State baseball vs. Alabama with ESPN+ (subscribe now)
No. 21 Mississippi State enters the weekend in third place of the SEC West standings and fifth overall in the conference.
Alabama (28-16, 9-12) enters three games behind MSU. The Crimson Tide, under first-year coach Rob Vaughn, are coming off a series win at Ole Miss. Alabama has won four of its past five games.
Game 1 (7 innings): Mississippi State 13, Alabama 3
MSU opened the series in style with a big night from its lineup. Hunter Hines, who had the series-winning blast at Vanderbilt on Sunday, ignited the offense against Alabama. He launched a three-run home run in the first inning before hitting a solo shot in the third. The Bulldogs blew the game open with a six-run fourth which featured a grand slam from Amani Larry. Khal Stephen gave Mississippi State a five-inning start. He cruised through the first four unscathed, but he allowed three runs in his final inning of work. Gavin Black pitched two scoreless innings to close.
Game 2: Mississippi State 8, Alabama 1
Playing against a diminished Alabama roster, Mississippi State cruised to a series-clinching win Saturday. The Bulldogs got another stellar start from ambidextrous pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje who allowed only one run in seven innings. As his ERA dropped to 3.53, the MSU offense spread across its runs. Alabama jumped ahead 1-0 in the third, but Mississippi State countered with three in the bottom half of the frame. Third baseman Logan Kohler played a big part in the win with three hits, including a home run in the eighth.
Game 3: Alabama 10, Mississippi State 5
The Crimson Tide salvaged the series Sunday. Alabama jumped ahead in the second with four runs against MSU starter Brooks Auger whose outing was done after the frame. The Crimson Tide extended their lead with another three runs in the fifth. Mississippi State tightened the game with a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth. The contest entered a 51-minute delay during MSU’s rally in the eighth. After the break, Alabama tacked on insurance with Bryce Eblin hitting a solo home run against MSU’s Nolan Stevens in the ninth.
What channel is Mississippi State baseball vs. Alabama on today?
Friday: SEC Network+
Saturday: SEC Network+
Sunday: SEC Network+
Mississippi State vs. Alabama start time
May 3: 6 p.m.
May 4: 2 p.m.
May 5: 1 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama: Probable pitchers
Friday: RHP Khal Stephen (6-3, 2.77 ERA) vs. LHP Greg Farone (4-1, 3.10 ERA)
Saturday: BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (6-1, 3.79 ERA) vs. LHP Zane Adams (4-2, 4.43 ERA)
Sunday: RHP Brooks Auger (1-1, 3.08 ERA) vs. RHP Ben Hess (3-4, 7.31 ERA)
Mississippi State baseball score update vs. Alabama
Mississippi State baseball 2024 schedule
Next five opponents for the Bulldogs:
May 3-5: vs. Alabama
May 10-12: at Arkansas
May 14: vs. North Alabama
May 16-19: vs. Missouri
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This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State baseball score updates vs. Alabama in SEC series
