Columbia News

Mississippi State secured a three-game sweep over the University of Missouri baseball team with a 12-1 win at Taylor Stadium on Saturday. The Bulldogs started strong, scoring six runs in the first inning and relying on starting pitcher Karson Ligon, who delivered five solid innings.

Hunter Hines hit his fourth home run of the series to open scoring for Mississippi State in the first inning. After Mizzou starter Josh McDevitt retired the first two batters, Noah Sullivan singled, sparking a sequence where seven consecutive Bulldog hitters reached base. Following Hines' homer, Bryce Chance doubled, and after a hit batsman and Ross Highfill single, Mississippi State added its third run. Nolan Stevens contributed with a two-run double, and Gatlin Sanders capped off the inning with an RBI single.

Mississippi State increased its lead in the second inning through an Ace Reese single followed by Sullivan’s two-run homer. In response, Mizzou loaded the bases in their half of the second but managed only one run when Brock Daniels’ fly ball brought Mateo Serna home.

Ligon allowed three hits across five innings and struck out seven Tigers. He escaped further trouble in the second and then retired ten straight batters until Jackson Lovich singled with two outs in the fifth.

The Bulldogs continued to build their lead as Reese hit his 21st home run of the season in the fourth inning. They widened their advantage further with three more runs in the sixth following walks, a hit batter, and key hits from Chance and Reed Stallman.

After Ligon exited following five innings pitched, relievers Ryan McPherson and Charlie Foster closed out scoreless frames for Mississippi State.

For Missouri (16-38 overall; 3-27 SEC), senior relievers Seth McCartney and James Vaughn combined for a scoreless seventh inning after Victor Christal had also held Mississippi State scoreless earlier. Xavier Lovett pitched 3.1 relief innings for Mizzou, striking out two batters.

Saturday’s attendance was recorded at 1,668 spectators. Over the course of this season at Taylor Stadium, total home attendance reached 33,469—the third-highest cumulative mark in program history—with an average of 1,395 fans per game also ranking third-best all-time for Missouri baseball home games.

Keegan Knutson saw his six-game hitting streak end after going hitless in two at-bats. Jackson Lovich recorded his team-leading 18th multi-hit game by going 2-for-3 at bat. With this result, Mississippi State improved its all-time record against Missouri to 16 wins and seven losses.

Missouri will next compete in Hoover, Alabama at the Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament starting Tuesday (May 20) at 9:30 a.m.