STARKVILLE — It took everything Lucas Laster had to hold things together.
The effort had nothing to do with pitching.
Laster, a senior left-hander, was asked by ESPNU for an interview following his complete-game, eight-hitter Thursday night in the Mississippi State baseball team’s 13-2 victory against South Carolina at Dudy Noble Field.
While Laster donned headphones and peered into the cameras, teammates Jacob Robson and Ryan Gridley tried their best to distract the unflappable Laster.
Gridley, a freshman shortstop who had three hits, danced and gyrated behind Laster, while Robson, a center fielder who had two hits, marched back and forth waving the Canadian flag.
The antics epitomized one big improvement for MSU: The Bulldogs looked like they were having a lot of fun.
“Tonight was definitely fun,” said MSU second baseman John Holland, who had three hits and a career-high four RBIs. “We have needed a game like this for a while.”
After dropping the initial game of its first three Southeastern Conference series, MSU (20-12, 4-6) had little trouble with South Carolina (20-10, 5-5), chasing starting Wil Crowe early after exploding for eight runs in the first three innings. The outburst included a six-run third that featured two RBI doubles by Holland. The second double scored three runs with one out in the third.
For an offense that scored three runs last weekend against Auburn, the double-digit offensive was a welcome sight.
“I think that was the team that everybody saw at the beginning of the year,” said Holland, who has six hits and a home run in his last two SEC games. “I think we are back to the team that was 13-0 earlier this year. It was impressive.”
The 13 runs was MSU’s highest total in SEC play this season.
“I thought our kids really looked relaxed at the plate,” MSU coach John Cohen said. “We took a lot of relaxed, comfortable swings, and it was good to see.”
The Bulldogs had seven of their 12 hits in the first three innings, and posted a season-best five doubles. Two of those doubles came from Holland and two more came from left fielder Jake Vickerson. Three Bulldogs had at least three hits — Gridley, Holland, and leadoff hitter Cody Brown — and MSU forced South Carolina to use five pitchers. Crowe, South Carolina’s ace, allowed eight runs in 2 2/3 innings.
“He was leaving a lot of stuff out over the plate,” Holland said. “When we are going well, I think we can hit anything. I don’t think velocity really bothers us, so when he left it over the plate, we hit it.”
While MSU’s offense clicked for the first time in SEC play since Game 3 of its visit to Kentucky two weeks ago, the story of the night might have been Laster. One of MSU’s most reliable starters this season, Laster was asked to skip his normal midweek start Tuesday night and move into a SEC starting role for the first time. He delivered by walking only one and tying a career-high with eight strikeouts.
“It goes without saying that Lucas really put our club on his back,” Cohen said. “He attacked the zone all night. He did a great job.”
Laster said the effort was a big personal achievement. It also could be a turning point for a team that leads a SEC series for the first time.
“We needed a big game like this,” Laster said. “We’ve been struggling. The month of March wasn’t great for us, but it’s a new month. Tonight was a good start.
“It’s easy to pitch with a big lead. I knew if I could pitch to contact, my guys would make plays.”
Game 2 moved up
Due to concerns about inclement weather tonight, today’s game has been moved up to a 3 p.m. start. First pitch had been scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
For Cohen, who hasn’t named a starting pitcher yet, the second game of the series will be critical because he expects the Gamecocks to regroup.
“Tonight, some things went our way,” Cohen said. “The one thing you know about South Carolina is they are a great program. They’ll take this personally and come out ready to play tomorrow.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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