No. 17 Bulldogs Power Past South Carolina

Friday, April 17

Columbia, S.C.

6 p.m.

Mississippi State

28-10, 8-8

South Carolina

19-20, 5-11

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Mississippi State	0	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	12	1
South Carolina	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	3	8	0

STARKVILLE, MS - April 10, 2026 - Mississippi State Designated Hitter/Pitcher Noah Sullivan (#18) during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Mike Mattina

Photo by: Mike Mattina/MSU Athletics

No. 17 Bulldogs Power Past South Carolina

April 17, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

COLUMBIA, S.C. - No. 17 Mississippi State leaned on its power bats and another strong outing from Tomas Valincius to open its SEC road series with a 5-3 victory over South Carolina on Friday night at Founders Park.

The Diamond Dawgs (28-10, 8-8 SEC) launched four home runs and got a combined 14 strikeouts from Valincius and reliever Ben Davis to secure the opener. State built an early four-run cushion, then answered South Carolina's lone rally with an insurance run in the ninth.

Mississippi State struck first in the second inning when Gehrig Frei turned on a pitch and sent it down the right-field line for a solo homer.

MSU added three more runs in the third. Ace Reese blasted a solo shot to right, then Noah Sullivan singled ahead of Reed Stallman's two-run homer to right-center that pushed the Bulldogs in front 4-0.

Valincius was in command through four scoreless innings before South Carolina (19-20, 5-11 SEC) broke through with two outs in the fifth. Tyler Bak singled, Luke Yuhasz followed with a base hit, and Ethan Lizama connected for a three-run homer to trim the lead to 4-3.

That was all the Gamecocks would get.

Valincius settled back in and worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out 11 to improve to 7-1. Davis entered in the seventh and closed the door over the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits while striking out three for his fifth save.

The Bulldogs added breathing room in the ninth when Sullivan crushed a solo homer to left-center, extending the margin to 5-3.

Mississippi State finished with 12 hits, led by three from Jacob Parker. Aidan Teel added two hits, while Sullivan and Frei each had two hits and a homer. Reese and Stallman also homered as State continued its recent surge at the plate.

South Carolina starter Brandon Stone took the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

The teams continue the weekend series Saturday at 12 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Sophomore right-hander Duke Stone (5-1, 4.32 ERA) will start for the Bulldogs while the Gamecocks go with junior righty Amp Phillips (3-4, 2.17 ERA).

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