Another weekend, another three losses.
After Saturday’s 3–1 loss to No. 4 Mississippi State, Missouri was swept by a ranked team for the fifth time in 2016. The Tigers (24–25, 7–17 SEC) slipped below .500 and fell to 13th place in the Southeastern Conference standings.
Mississippi State (32–14–1, 15–9 SEC) struck in the first inning. The Bulldogs hit three singles off of sophomore pitcher Cole Bartlett, making the score 1–0.
The Tigers had a chance at a big inning in the fifth. Freshman Brian Sharp, junior Kirby McGuire and sophomore Johnny Balsamo led off the frame with singles, loading the bases. Missouri, however, was unable to fully capitalize. The tying run scored on an error, but the Tigers weren’t able to push any more runs across the plate.
The Bulldogs made sure the tie was short-lived. Brent Rooker singled home a run in the bottom half of the inning, giving Mississippi State a 2–1 lead.
Missouri nearly tied the game in the top of the sixth. After a Brett Bond single, sophomore Shane Benes doubled down the left field line. Bond tried to score from first, but was thrown out at the plate.
Mississippi State added an insurance tally in the seventh, and the Tigers were not able to score for the rest of the game.
After the disappointing weekend, Missouri is back in action at home Friday against Georgia.
_Edited by George Roberson | groberson@themaneater.com_