There will be no need for Mississippi State to play a Game 5 in its Fall World Series.
Thanks in part to a 3-run bottom of the fifth, Team Cheese was able to claim the series with an 8-4 victory in Game 4 on Monday.
As is customary, Team Cheese now gets to feast on steak following their win, while its Team Goat counterparts are served pork and beans.
Team Cheese was clinging to a 5-4 lead before erupting for 3 runs in the fifth. Hunter Hines belted a 2-run home run to center field in the frame to go along with an RBI double to left-center by Brayland Skinner.
Team Cheese collected 7 hits during the seven-inning intrasquad scrimmage, led by Hines going 2 for 2 with a homer and three RBIs.
Slate Alford was 2 for 3 with two singles and drove in 2 runs, while Jess Davis added an RBI double.
Parker Stinnett picked up the win in relief. Stinnett hurled 3 1/3 no-hit innings while recording 7 strikeouts. The only blemish during his outing was a walk.
Jack Walker and KC Hunt followed Stinnett out of the bullpen and pitched two no-hit innings
Team Goat only had 3 hits but still managed its share of baserunners by keeping a keen eye at the plate. Team Goat drew 7 walks and scored half of its runs on a Kellum Clark 2-run double off Brandon Smith in the second inning.
Cade Smith suffered the loss, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks in a two-inning start.
Women’s tennis
Antonaki, Racine wrap play at ITA Southern Regionals
Mississippi State women’s tennis wrapped up play at the ITA Southern Regional Championships on Monday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The No. 41-ranked duo of Emmanouela Antonaki and Tamara Racine lost a nail-biter in the tiebreak after splitting sets against Alabama’s Loudmilla Bencheikh and Anne Marie Hiser 3-6, 7-5 (10-8). Antonaki and Racine fell behind 7-1 before winning seven of the next nine points.
Antonaki, who is ranked 22nd in singles, lost 7-5, 2-6, 6-0 to Ole Miss’ No. 69 Tiphanie Fiquet.
There is still a chance for Antonaki in singles and in doubles with Racine to get at-large bids to nationals next month in San Diego.
Despite not making it to the finals, there is a chance for Antonaki in singles as well as in doubles with Racine may earn an at-large bid to nationals in San Diego.
MSU next will be in action at the Roberta Alison Invitational which will also be held Oct. 29-30 in Tuscaloosa.
Volleyball
Waden named SEC Player of the Week
Mississippi State’s Gabby Waden collected the SEC’s Player and Offensive Player of the Week accolades announced Monday by the conference office.
For Waden, it’s her first weekly honors from the conference office. She is the third player in program history to be named the SEC’s Player of the Week and the fifth player to secure the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Week. Shania Cromartie earned both awards from the SEC earlier this season on Sept. 27.
Waden, a 2020-21 All-SEC pick, sparked Mississippi State to two RPI top-50 victories against South Carolina and at Ole Miss. She powered home 5.44 kills per set on a blistering .481 hitting percentage to average 5.72 points per set as a three-rotation right side hitter.
The Bulldogs will host Texas A&M for a series this weekend. Admission is free for all home volleyball matches, with gates opening one hour prior to first serve.
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