Total Team Victory
April 10, 2023 | Baseball
Dawgs build momentum with series win over Alabama.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State made everything count en route to a series-clinching victory over Alabama on Saturday night.
The Diamond Dawgs outlasted the Crimson Tide in the rubber match, putting up five runs in the final three innings to claim the 8-4 triumph and series win. Productive at-bats and crucial double-plays kept the team rolling, and as head coach Chris Lemonis said, everybody on his team found ways to contribute.
"We made a lot of great plays from everybody, not just one guy," Lemonis said. "It was across the board."
On a night with big plays aplenty, a pair of standout freshmen captured everyone's attention. The bright lights of the crucial conference game didn't faze rookie catcher Ross Highfill, and he put together a productive night at the plate that included a high-flying solo home run in the seventh inning. The moonshot gave the Bulldogs their fourth run of the night, tying the game.
Teammate Dakota Jordan came up with game-changing hits when necessary, blasting two doubles and driving in one run in the contest. However, the biggest highlight from the young star's night came as a result of an impressive defensive play in the outfield. Jordan leaped high into the air while on the run to snag a deep fly ball over his shoulder, igniting his teammates when he finally landed.
Lemonis was not surprised by how well some of the youngest players on the team performed.
"That's some pretty special freshmen," Lemonis said. "They're good players. They're maturing every day."
To say that they're maturing could be an understatement. The team's rookies have looked comfortable and confident at the plate over the last few weeks, and the entire squad has rallied together to become quite an offensive force. Jordan said that he and his teammates are well-prepared when it's their turn to take some big swings.
"We know exactly what we can do at the plate, and we can do damage, so everybody just went up there trying to do their job," Jordan said.
The Diamond Dawgs also did their job — and some even exceeded expectations — on the defensive side of the ball. Aside from Jordan's big catch in the outfield, infielders Lane Forsythe and Slate Alford made noteworthy plays of their own. The pair each added to their own highlight reels with diving catches to stop Crimson Tide baserunners in their tracks. Those plays went on to shape the outcome of the game, keeping momentum in MSU's favor and preventing Alabama's bats from doing any major damage.
Even quick decisions at the plate proved to be gamechangers for Mississippi State. Right-fielder Kellum Clark blasted a two-run homer in the eighth inning to tack on some insurance runs and boost the Diamond Dawgs' lead to 7-4. However, the home run was close to never happening. Lemonis said that Clark made a change at the plate moments before the game-securing play.
"[Clark] actually was going to bunt for a hit there, believe it or not, and at the last minute they ran the guy out of the shift and put him at third, and [Clark] swung," Lemonis said.
Every play, some big and some small, came together in a perfect way to give the visiting squad exactly what it needed. Now, Mississippi State is gearing up for a Super Bulldog Weekend showdown against the Ole Miss Rebels. The weekend will be filled with many events and games, and according to Lemonis, the fans that visit Dudy Noble Field could be in for some good, competitive baseball.
"It should be a fun weekend," Lemonis said. "I like how we're playing, and we've still got to get better. I think that's the biggest thing with us."
All in all, Mississippi State's win over Alabama serves as more than just a conference victory. It demonstrates the determination that the team has and proves that the Diamond Dawgs have plenty of fight in them as the SEC slate rolls on. Lemonis explained that the outstanding all-around performance will continue to have a big impact on his players.
"I think it's exciting for our guys, and they're motivated," Lemonis said.
