There was a moment in the sixth inning, where Christian MacLeod was obviously gassed and reeling after giving up a two run home run to cut Mississippi State’s lead to 6-4 where Bulldog fans might have been nervous about their team’s ability to stay in the winner’s bracket of the Starkville Regional. The Bulldog batters immediately calmed those fans down, exploding for nine runs in the bottom half of the frame to grab control of the game and the regional, taking home a 16-4 win over VCU.
No streaking allowed.#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/YxBi5M2jtD
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) June 6, 2021
MacLeod threw a career high in pitches at 123, and tied his career high in strikeouts with 12. He ran into trouble in the third inning, walking the first two batters before suddenly regaining control and striking out the side. He’d retire the next 8 in a row, giving State its second quality start in as many days before tiring in the sixth and giving way to Brandon Smith. Smith would pitch two more innings of scoreless relief, with Parker Stinnett getting the final three outs to finish the contest.
CMac battling out there 💪
8 strikeouts thru 3 IP pic.twitter.com/RJzhHyV2IL
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) June 6, 2021
At the plate, MSU saw production from most of the order, with four batters having multiple hit days, and home runs from Brad Cumbest, Kellum Clark, and Kamren James. The top three in the Bulldog batting order were an impressive 9-16 with 7 RBI and 8 runs scored, and Cumbest and Clark led the bottom three getting on base 5 times and driving in 5 runs.
Put 'em on the grill! 💣 pic.twitter.com/XX9anb2NCP
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) June 6, 2021
State remains undefeated in regional play, and now sit poised to advance into the Super Regional with one more win. VCU will take on Campbell in the loser’s bracket game, first pitch is scheduled for 2 PM. The Bulldogs will take on the winner in the nightcap, with a 7 PM start time on the docket.
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State Athletics
