Late Rally Not Enough in Baseball’s 7-3 Loss to No. 6 Mississippi State

Saturday, May 22

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1 P.M.

Alabama

29-22, 12-17

Mississippi State

40-13, 20-10

Mississippi State

Alabama

Late Rally Not Enough in Baseball’s 7-3 Loss to No. 6 Mississippi State

5/22/2021 4:32:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Postgame Press Conference

The Tide brought the tying run to the plate in the eighth and reached a pair in the ninth but was unable to even things up

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama baseball rallied late but was unable to battle back in a 7-3 loss to sixth-ranked Mississippi State. Following the regular-season finale, the Crimson Tide is 29-22 overall and 12-17 in Southeastern Conference play headed into the SEC Tournament.

Alabama was able to strike early with two in the first and one in the second to build a 3-0 lead. The Tide pitching staff held State off the board until the fifth when MSU scored four to take the lead. The Bulldogs then added three more in the top of the sixth to make it a 7-3 ballgame. Alabama did not go away quietly, battling late to bring the tying run to the plate in the eighth and reaching a pair of runners in the ninth, but was unable to pull any closer.

Mississippi State reliver Houston Harding (6-2) earned the win while Tide reliever Landon Green (3-1) suffered the loss on Saturday. Alabama received a strong start from Jacob McNairy in his first appearance since mid-April. The junior tossed 2.0 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts before handing it over to his bullpen. The Tide relievers combined to post a solid effort across the final 7.0 frames, but defensive miscues plagued UA in the middle innings leading to seven runs, only four of which were earned.

From Head Coach Brad Bohannon

"The five guys that pitched for us today really battled, really competed, and pitched well enough for us to get a good win over a really good Mississippi State club. We just didn't do a good enough job – our position players – of defending the field and swinging the bats today."

How It Happened

B1 | Peyton Wilson led off the game with a walk and motored to third in the next at-bat on a single from William Hamiter. After a wild pitch moved Hamiter into scoring position, Zane Denton capitalized on the opportunity with a single through the right side to get the Tide on the board. (2-0, Alabama)
B2 | Bryce Eblin began the inning with a walk and was pushed to second on another free pass. Eblin moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Caden Rose before coming home on a groundout to first from Wilson to add to UA's advantage. (3-0, Alabama)
T5 | The Bulldogs rallied for four runs, thanks in part to three hits. (4-3, Mississippi State)
T6 | State added to the lead with three in the sixth. (7-3, Mississippi State)

Postgame Notes

Jacob McNairy made his first career start. The junior had appeared in 25 games prior to today, all in a relief role.
The start was McNairy's first appearance on the mound since April 17.
Chase Lee recorded a season-high 50 pitches in today's game. His previous season-high total was 46 against Stetson on March 13.
Jim Jarvis walked to start his afternoon and has now reached base safely in his last 12 contests dating back to April 27.
ATTENDANCE: 2,630 (SELLOUT)

Alabama will head to Hoover for the 2021 SEC Tournament. The Crimson Tide will play on Tuesday, May 25 with UA's opponent and time of game still to be determined.

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