The Offense Explodes for Mississippi State Baseball

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs bounced back from a 7-6 loss last night and dominated the Gators 12-2. Last night was a discouraging night for MSU, as they blew a four-run lead, but they did not let that affect them today, as they left no doubt. 

The offense dominated Gator pitching all night, but it all started with Jurrangelo Cijntje. The sophomore tossed seven innings, stuck out eight, and only allowed two runs. 

Cijntje did an excellent job of staying in the zone once the Bulldogs jumped out to a big lead and, by doing so, saved some arms for tomorrow. Tyson Hardin worked two clean innings to end the game as well. 

However, the story of the night was the power-hitting put on display by Mississippi State. They put up 14 hits, including five home runs. David Mershon, who has been a nuisance at the plate and on the base paths for the Gators, got the team started with a solo home run in the fourth inning to tie the game at one. 

Dakota Jordan followed suit by muscling his first of two home runs out to left field. Jordan and Hunter Hines, who went 2-4, have been carrying a heavy load for this team at the plate, and the guys behind them have been struggling. 

Connor Hujsak did not struggle tonight as the VCU transfer went 3-5 with a pair of home runs and a game-high six RBIs. The 3-5 hitters for MSU combined for eight hits, four home runs, and eight RBIs. 

Nate Chester and Johnny Long also drove in a couple of runs tonight. Whether this trend will continue is yet to be seen, but tonight showed this lineup's potential and how vital Hujsak is to this team. 

The Bulldogs have two superstars on this team, Jordan and Hines, but their prowess puts pressure on the guys hitting in front of or behind them. Mershon has done a great job working counts at the plate and drawing walks this weekend, and Hujsak took advantage of his RBI opportunities tonight.

Tomorrow is a massive game for this team and its head coach, Chris Lemonis. Lemonis did an excellent job of getting his team ready to play tonight after a heartbreaking loss last night, but they still have work to do. 

If they want to be an elite team, they have to win this kind of series, and it won't be easy going against Florida ace Jac Caglianone. The Bulldogs will go for the series tomorrow at noon CT on SEC Network+.