Mississippi State’s 7-Game Win Streak Snapped by FIU

April 4, 2017

(Photo Courtesy: Blake Williams, MSU Athletics)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – No. 22 Mississippi State saw a seven-game winning streak snapped with an 8-3 loss to FIU in college baseball action Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field.

A sweep over Southeastern Conference rival Ole Miss helped give the Bulldogs a higher national ranking and momentum entering a six-game homestand. However, the Panthers put a damper on the enthusiasm by breaking open a tight contest with four runs in the seventh inning.

The FIU pitching duo of Robert Garcia and Dominic LoBrutto kept the MSU bats in check for most of the night. The Bulldogs were held to four hits and only stranded one base runner.

“They jumped on us early,” head coach Andy Cannizaro said. “We did not play with a lot of energy tonight. Their pitcher really had great movement on his breaking ball. I thought we didn’t have good at-bats. FIU has a solid team. They handed it to us tonight but the good news is we get to come back out and play this same team again.

“Brent Rooker had a great night offensively. Cody Brown was solid in the field. That is where it starts and ends for the highlights. Tonight was a big test for our young team. Obviously, we didn’t get it done. The good news is we get to take the test again.”

The Bulldogs (19-11) built a 2-0 lead quickly. Reigning SEC Player of the Week Brent Rooker hit a two-run home run in the first inning. Rooker also brought Jake Mangum home after he reached as a hit batsman. It was Rooker’s 10^th home run of the season.

FIU (17-11) tied the contest on a two-run home run by Nick Day in the second inning.

From there, Garcia (2-4) settled into a groove, while his offense was beginning to warm up. Garcia threw six innings, allowing three hits and three runs (all earned), with no walks and nine strikeouts. LoBrutto retired eight of nine batters he faced plus got a pickoff for his second save.

FIU finished with 14 hits and took the lead for good with single scores in the fifth and sixth innings. MSU’s final run came in the sixth inning when Luke Alexander hit his third home run.

Graham Ashcraft started on the mound for the Bulldogs. Ashcraft threw three innings before giving way to Trey Jolly (1-2). Peyton Plumlee finished the fifth inning and was touched for five hits and five runs (four earned), while throwing through the seventh inning. Andrew Mahoney and Parker Ford finished the contest on the mound for the Bulldogs.

The four-run FIU seventh inning began with a solo home run from Kenny Meimerstorf. Day and Jack Schaaf also had run-producing hits in the frame.

Meimerstorf had three hits for the Panthers. Day, Schaaf, Javier Valdes and J.C. Escarra had multiple hits for FIU.

Rooker had two hits for the Bulldogs.

The two sides will return to Dudy Noble Field on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT for another midweek matchup. Fans can once again take advantage of $2 tickets and $2 hot dogs.