Stepping Up For The Stretch Run
April 28, 2022 | Baseball, Joel Coleman
Mississippi State relievers look to be a key piece of Diamond Dawgs’ postseason push.
STARKVILLE – Strike one. Strike two. Strike three. Repeat.
It was the scenario that played out time and time again this past Tuesday night when Mississippi State pitcher Cam Tullar entered in relief against Ole Miss. The Michigan-born lefthander carved through the Rebels like a hot knife through butter.
Tullar was – in a word – dominant. He was in complete control.
Tullar went 3.2 innings. He didn't allow a run and only one hit. He struck out eight of the 12 batters he faced.
This followed a strong start from Mikey Tepper. It preceded a perfect inning of relief from Drew Talley.
Tullar, Tepper and Talley are three pitching staff pieces that could be critical for MSU as the season enters the stretch run. For the Bulldogs to get where they want to be this season, they'll likely need the three Ts to shine.
If last Tuesday was any indication, Tullar, Tepper and Talley are more than up for the challenge.
"Those guys were really good [Tuesday]," State head coach Chris Lemonis said. "Big environment [at Trustmark Park in Pearl against Ole Miss] and they were in the zone. They competed. It was good to see them. And we need them. We need them in this last stretch of the season. I was happy to see what we got from them."
It's hard to overstate just how big the continued growth of Tullar, Tepper and Talley could be for the Dawgs, for multiple reasons.
It's no secret Mississippi State's group of hurlers have been hit hard with injuries this season. Then, the guys that are healthy have had to do some learning on the job.
Freshman Pico Kohn has been getting his first taste of college baseball. Jackson Fristoe continues to adjust to a new role as a high-leverage, late-inning reliever. KC Hunt began the year as a starter but has since evolved into a closer type for MSU.
These days, Kohn, Fristoe and Hunt are getting huge outs for State. Their continued emergence has helped MSU take each of the last two Southeastern Conference series headed into this weekend's three-game set at Missouri.
Now, what if you add the Tullar, Tepper and Talley that pitched last Tuesday to the pen mix? It's game-changing, perhaps even season-altering for Mississippi State.
Tullar believes he and his bullpen mates are ready.
"We're there," Tullar said. "It just took a little bit of time, but all the guys, we do a lot of stuff behind the scenes most people don't see. It's a lot of work. We're all coming together and we're doing great. We're just starting to get on that train where we do our job."
The stats back up Tullar's claim. Tullar himself hasn't allowed a run in nearly a full month. He's pitched five scoreless innings since April 10, notching 10 total strikeouts with no walks. He's given up just one hit over that span.
"It was a slow start at the beginning of the year, but I'm starting to get in a rhythm," Tullar said. "I've just got to compete every time I go out there. I just want to do my best for the team."
As for Tepper, he's now put together back-to-back solid showings. He pitched a scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts against Jackson State back on April 19, then followed that up with his terrific Tuesday.
After Tepper gave up a pair of first-inning runs to the Rebels, he didn't give up a hit or run over the next three frames.
"He was great," Tullar said of Tepper. "He's electric."
Then there's Talley. The right-hander has now posted scoreless outings in four of his last five appearances. In the month of April, he's shrunk his earned run average by more than two runs.
Now the mission for Tullar, Tepper and Talley is clear. Just keep it up.
Keep on displaying development. Keep on competing. Keep on having outings like Tuesday's.
If they do, this Mississippi State team that is seemingly starting to surge the last couple of weeks can keep striding forward and make a potent postseason push.
"I like how we've played over the last two or three weeks," Lemonis said. "We're coming together. I feel like we've got a chance to get on a roll here."
