Mississippi State 13, St. John’s 5
St. John’s avoided elimination by defeating Penn in the loser’s bracket game on Saturday afternoon. The Red Storm led 6-2 before giving up seven runs with two outs in the seventh inning. The quarrel did not stop until the 12th inning, when Anthony knocked home the winning run with an RBI single back up the middle
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Mississippi State (39-22) and St. John’s (38-17-1) will meet in a rematch of their first regional game today in a loser leaves town contest. The Bulldogs walked off the Red Storm back on Friday with a dramatic three-run home run from Dakota Jordan to enter the winner’s bracket match-up with Virginia. State dropped last night’s game to the Cavaliers in the 9th, 5-4.
St. John’s centerfielder, lead off man and leading base stealer Jackson Tucker is not eligible for participation today. Tucker was ejected for what the officials deemed malicious contact on a play at the plate in the win over Penn.
Mississippi State will send RHP Brooks Auger (1-2, 3.27 ERA) to the mound in hopes of reaching the regional final. Auger has made four starts in 19 appearances this season, working 41.1 innings and allowing 17 runs on 31 hits. Opponents are hitting.201 against him, and he has 47 strikeouts and 16 walks.
St. John’s will answer with LHP Evan Chaffee (3-0, 4.30 ERA). The sophomore has pitched 67 innings, allowing 34 runs and 67 hits. Opponents are hitting.264 when he is on the mound. Chaffee has 54 strikeouts and 27 walks.
Larry takes strike one 0-1, a change for strike two 0-2, a fastball up and away 1-2, and a foul ball beyond of third. Change-up was fouled down. Splits are around 90-80 with fastball and changeup. He gets struck by a fastball at 2-2.
