Mississippi State Beats Bama in Series Opener, 11-8
8/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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STARKVILLE -- Mississippi State junior designated hitter Robby Goodson collected three hits and season-high five RBI to lead the No. 17 Bulldogs to an 11-8 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first game of a Southeastern Conference series Friday night at Dudy Noble Field.
The two teams battled on even terms through the first five and one-half innings, before MSU ended the see-saw game with a four-run sixth inning to hand UA its seventh consecutive loss and sixth straight loss in SEC play.
Alabama (30-23, 13-15 SEC) finds itself in a must-win situation the next two days in order to keep its post-season hopes alive. Although UA remains in a three-way tie with Tennessee and Arkansas, the Crimson Tide did lose ground on Friday night to Florida and Vanderbilt. Alabama holds a narrow one-half game lead over Florida and a one game lead over Vandy with two games remaining.
MSU (37-15-1, 16-11 SEC) strengthened its position in the SEC Tournament and could now finish as high as second in the Western Division and be the No. 3 overall seed next week in Hoover, which could also aid its chances of hosting one of 16 NCAA Regional Tournaments, beginning May 30.
The win also snapped MSU's five-game losing streak to Alabama, dating back to the 2001 season.
Goodson had a two-run home run in the second inning to start the scoring for the Bulldogs and then added an RBI single in the third inning to stake the Bulldogs to their first lead of the game at 3-2. He added a two-run single with the bases loaded in the sixth inning as State broke open a close game.
In addition, Goodson has nine RBI in his last two games for the Bulldogs.
Tankersley's struggles continued for Alabama as he lost for the fifth time in seven starts. The Vicksburg native allowed 10 runs and 13 hits in 5 1/3 innings in taking his third straight loss. The 10 runs and 13 hits are both career highs for the sophomore. He also added four walks and five strikeouts.
In addition to Goodson, MSU right fielder Brad Corley went 4-for-5 with one RBI and scored two runs to pace the Bulldogs 16-hit attack.
In that decisive sixth inning, State snapped a 5-5 tie with five runs on four hits and sent 10 batters to the plate.
Goodson's two-run single with the bases loaded broke open a close game and Butts' followed with an RBI single to left field. State also scored two more runs on an Evan Bush throwing error and a wild pitch by relief pitcher Eric Mennen.
MSU finished the game with a season-high 11 runs and 18 hits in an SEC game this season for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs collected 17 singles and one home run in their 18 hits.
MSU starter Paul Maholm (8-2) earned his team-leading eighth win despite allowing five runs and 10 hits in six innings. The lefty also added 10 strikeouts and one walk in the win.
Junior shortstop Adam Pavkovich slammed a three-run home run in the eighth inning for the Crimson Tide cut the MSU lead to 11-8. It was the ninth home run of the season for the Venice, Fla., native and his first since April 16.
The Crimson Tide jumped out to a 2-0 lead against MSU ace left-hander Paul Maholm with single runs in the first and second innings.
Pavkovich, Beau Hearod and Zac Welch collected singles in the first inning, with Welch's two-out base hit to right scoring Pavkovich from third base to give UA a 1-0 lead.
Alabama doubled that lead with a run in the second inning when Allen Rice was hit by a pitch and scored on Travis Garner's two-out double to left field. Garner's double extended his hitting streak to 17 games, his second longest of the 2003 season. The senior has two of the SEC's three longest hitting streaks this season, adding an 18-game hitting streak from Feb. 28 through April 2.
Miss. State tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when designated hitter Robby Goodson launched a two-run home run to right field off Tankersley. Brad Corley, who singled to lead off the inning, scored ahead of Goodson, who hit his first home run of the season.
The Bulldogs scored two more runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead. MSU loaded the bases with no outs on a singles to Matthew Brinson and Corley sandwiched around a walk to Craig Tatum.
Goodson drove in his third run of the game as he dribbled a single through the right side of the infield to give State a 3-2 lead. Jeff Butts followed with a sacrifice fly to left., scoring Tatum from third base. Tankersley retired the next two hitters to avoid further damage in what could have been a bigger inning for MSU.
Alabama scored another run in the fourth inning when Garner picked up his second hit and second RBI of the night with a two-out single to left field. Bobby Burns and Rice started the inning with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt by Evan Bush moved both runners into scoring position before Garner's second hit of the game trimmed the lead to 4-3.
The see-saw game continued when State got the run back in the bottom of the fourth when Matthew Maniscalco singled, moved to second on a balk and scored on Tatum's two-out base.
Alabama once again cut the lead to one run in the top of the fifth inning when Hecklinski reached on a lead off single, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Burns' two-out single to left field.
The Crimson Tide evened the score in the sixth inning with another two-out base hit. Garner started the two-out rally with a single through the right side of the infield, his third hit of the game.
After Garner stole second base, Pavkovich walked and Hearod singled to right, scoring Garner from second base, who just beat the throw from Corley in right field. Hearod tried to take second on the throw and was gunned down at second base for the final out of the inning, marking the second straight inning UA made the third out at second base on a throw towards the plate.
The two teams will play game two of this SEC series on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
