Friday's SEC baseball recap: MSU wins but Sims leaves game, LSU rallies, Tennessee and Georgia suffer first losses, more

Mississippi State's offense shines but the bigger story may be the loss of Landon Sims

Landon Sims photo courtesy of Mississippi State

Sims hurt in Mississippi State’s romp over Tulane

MSU’s up-and-down offense hit a new gear on Friday in a 19-2 route at Tulane, helped by home runs from Hunter Hines and Kellum Clark, who each had two hits and drove in three.

The bad news: ace Landon Sims, who’d retired all 11 hitters he’d faced (10 on strikeouts) left the game on his 52 pitch with an apparent injury and held his head in his hands afterwards. There was no update on his condition as of Saturday morning, but Sims is one of college baseball’s elite pitchers and any time missed would have a significant impact on the Bulldogs (6-4).

LSU 5 Oklahoma 4

LSU (9-1), down 3-0 through 6 1/2, rallied for one in the seventh, 10th and 11th and two in the eighth in a 5-4 win over Oklahoma. Shortstop Jordan Thompson’s walk-off home run in the 11th secured the win for the Tigers (9-1) while Cade Doughty also added a bomb. Blake Money had his third-straight good start, firing 106 pitches across 6 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts to lower his ERA to 0.44. 

Georgia, Tennessee suffer first losses 

Jonathan Cannon dominated in last week’s start against Akron, but Georgia Tech knocked Cannon for six runs over six innings in an 11-7 loss. Corey Collins homered for the Bulldogs (8-1) while Cory Acton and Josh McAlliister each added two hits. 

Tennessee (8-1) freshman Chase Burns (five innings, one run, 10 strikeouts) was brilliant in his start against top-ranked Texas, but the Volunteer relief corps couldn’t match his effort in a 7-2 loss as the four pitchers who came after him all allowed at least a run. Evan Russell’s line-drive home run into the Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park was Tennessee’s offensive highlight. 

Kentucky knocks off No. 16 TCU

One of the early-season surprises is a Kentucky (9-1) offense that scored its 100th run this year in a 13-11 home defeat of TCU. Jacob Plastiak and Chase Estep have been two of the league’s best hitters, and Plastiak blasted his team-leading fourth home run while Estep had four hits. The bad news: Cole Stupp (1 1/3 innings, three earned runs), UK’s best starter entering this season, struggled again. 

Ole Miss powers past Central Florida, remains unbeaten

Ole Miss (9-0) slammed five home runs (two by Peyton Chataginer, one each by Jacob Gonzalez, Tim Elko and TJ McCants) as the Rebels won 7-8 at UCF. Derek Diamond (4 2/3, six earned runs, seven strikeouts) endured a tough start but Brandon Johnson ended the night with three innings of one-run ball to pick up a save. 

Hawgs upset by SELA

Southeastern Louisiana scored seven runs in the sixth off Connor Noland, Kole Ramage and Isaac Bracken as the Lions knocked off Arkansas, 7-3. Cayden Wallace had a hit and drove in two for Arkansas (5-3). 

Carolina’s Sanders shines in defeat

South Carolina’s Will Sanders struck out 14 (though also walked five), allowing one run in a 3-2 defeat to Clemson in Columbia. Freshman shortstop Michael Braswell (.436) continued his outstanding season with two hits and a walk, while Josiah Sightler added a home run and a single for Carolina (7-2). 

Gators fall at Miami

Hunter Barco (five innings, seven strikeouts, four earned runs) had his first sub-par start of the season as Florida (8-3) fell to Miami by a 5-2 score. Sterlin Thomspon paced the offense with five hits, but the Gators managed just one extra-base hit among their seven hits. 

Vandy finds balance on the islands

Chris McElvain struck out 13 over seven innings, pitching Vanderbilt to a road win past Hawaii in late-night action. Dominic Keegan, Tate Kolwyck and Carter Young all homered for the Commodores (7-2) to their sixth-straight win. 

Washington State hammers Aggies

Washington State touched Texas A&M starter Nathan Dettmer for six runs (five earned) in 3 1/3 innings as the Aggies (6-3) lost their first game in the Frisco College Baseball Classic. 

Alabama 5 Murray State 1

Alabama (7-4) became the first team to beat Murray State (8-1) thanks to six scoreless innings from Garrett McMillan (who struck out seven) and a three-inning save from Dylan Ray (seven Ks). Andrew Pinckney and Tommy Seidl each had three hits, with Seidl clubbing a homer. 

Auburn 7 Rhode Island 2

The Tigers (8-2) extended their wining streak to three thanks to Sonny DiChiara’s fifth home run of the season. Carson Skipper and Blake Burkhalter combined for six scoreless innings. 

Missouri improves to 7-1

Missouri edged Tarleton, 6-5, with DH Cam Careswell had three hits and three RBIs and Spencer Miles threw five shutout innings with five strikeouts and Austin Cheeley earned his third save.