Mississippi State put up 14 and 20 runs respectively in its last two games of the weekend. The torrid batting continued on Tuesday, as State battered Mississippi Valley State for 17 hits in an 18-5 win over the Delta Devils. The Bulldogs had to come from behind as Valley grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first, but the Bulldogs would hold their in-state opponent to two hits overall and only two more runs.
MIDWEEK PITCHING CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE
Dang, another HBP, and it's 2-0. Cerantola just does not have it tonight, and Lemonis is out to make a change. Peyton Plumlee coming in for MSU.
— Brian Hadad (@brianhadad) March 26, 2019
MSU freshman Eric Cerantola had the worst start of his young career, only getting one out while walking one and hitting three batters in that first inning. That’s back to back bad starts in the midweek for the Canadian, who gave up 4 runs in the first inning a week ago against Arkansas-Little Rock. Cerantola’s first two appearances on the mound reminded me of Dakota Hudson, a tall powerful right hander who could top mid 90’s with his fastball. His last two have also reminded me of Hudson, who as a true freshman couldn’t figure it out and ending being a non-contributor. We’ll see if Cerantola can put it together or if he will be removed from the mid-week rotation.
SEC POTW KEEPS IT GOING
STAY HOT WESTY🔥
Dawgs take the lead with a three-run shot!#HailState🐶 | State 4, MVSU 3 pic.twitter.com/J14W2bqQFu
— Mississippi State Baseball ⚾️ (@HailStateBB) March 27, 2019
After a 10-21 week that saw him win SEC Player of the Week, Jordan Westburg stayed hot at the plate, going 3-5 with 4 RBI on the night, the big blast a three run opposite field home run that put MSU on top 4-3 in the third inning. I said prior to the season on the Thunder & Lightning Podcast that Westburg was the sophomore I felt could take the biggest step forward in year two, and so far, that prediction has rang true. Westburg leads MSU with 29 RBI, and is hitting a robust .376, good for second on the team behind Jake Mangum. State’s hitting has really taken off in the past 10 days, something they will need to keep going with LSU headed to town.
WHAT’S NEXT?
FINAL!! pic.twitter.com/COJY386Yf5
— McNeese Baseball (@McNeeseBaseball) March 27, 2019
LSU dropped its midweek clash with a lower division in-state foe, falling to McNeese State on Tuesday night by a score of 2-0. Surprisingly, the potent Tiger offense was held to four hits. State and LSU have had some classic battles over the past three decades, and I expect huge crowds at Dudy Noble this weekend for another big series between these two old rivals.
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics
