Mississippi State going for Third Straight Super Regional Today

The adversity, the losses, and the high points of this turbulent season have all come down to this. However, even two days ago it appeared Mississippi State would be ending their 2018 campaign with a 2–0 loss to #7 Florida State, but they didn’t.

Now two wins later it would seem that Mississippi State is now in the driver’s seat to win the Tallahassee Regional, and much of that has to do with two three solid pitching performances from Jacob Billingsley (7 IP 7 H 7R 3K) for the 9–8 win over Samford, and Denver McQuary would also get in the action during the Samford game hurling 93–96 mph fastballs against the other Bulldogs. Just hours later McQuary would start against Oklahoma in a win or go home matchup for the Diamond Dawgs, He finish the day in his two appearances collecting (3.2 IP 5H 1R 3K) on the day. Although, the two solid performances for the Bulldogs pitching staff helped save their season, the MVP of Game 6 of the Tallahassee Regional would be Cole Gordon. Gordon, who could not even record an out against the Sooners on Firday went (6.0 IP 7H 4R 10K) to close out the game and get the win for the Bulldogs.

Looking at stat lines it may appear that these guys didn’t have the best of games, but they did just what Mississippi needed them to yesterday preserving their bullpen, which includes Riley Self, Zach Neff, and Blake Small, as well as not having to throw France in back-to-back games.

Mississippi State will now take on Oklahoma in a winner takes all game, and while the starting pitcher remains unclear it appears it will be either Konnor Pilkington, who pitched on Friday, and would have a short leash going into the game or Zach Neff, who is a graduate transfer from Austin Peay, that has had a stellar year on the mound.

Now we wait for Game 7 of the Tallahassee Regional with a trip to a 3rd straight Super Regional on the line, and to host their second in that span, it will surely be an interesting day at Mike Martin Field.