Brooks Auger had been nearly perfect in his first seven appearances for Mississippi State this season after returning from Tommy John surgery.
But the Bulldogs’ new closer faltered for the first time Wednesday night, giving up two runs in the ninth inning as South Alabama rallied from a five-run deficit to hand MSU a 6-5 loss in Biloxi, snapping State’s nine-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs (12-5) scored all five of their runs in the fourth on two swings — a three-run home run by Amani Larry and a two-run blast by Dakota Jordan. It was Jordan’s fifth straight game with a homer, and he has hit nine of MSU’s 14 long balls for the season.
Bradley Loftin, making just his second appearance of the year on the mound, allowed two hits over three scoreless innings to start the game and struck out six. The Jaguars (12-5) rallied for three runs in the fifth against freshman Luke Dotson, then pulled within one in the seventh. But Nolan Stevens and Tyler Davis were both strong in relief as the Bulldogs carried the lead into the final frame.
With one out, pinch-hitter Robbie Petracci singled to center field, and Auger then walked leadoff hitter Will Turner. Ethan Melton, who was hitless in his first four at-bats, doubled into left-center to drive in both baserunners and put South Alabama in front for the first time.
MSU had a chance in the bottom of the ninth after freshman shortstop Dylan Cupp legged out a leadoff infield single and advanced to second on David Mershon’s groundout. With two outs, the Jaguars intentionally walked Jordan, and Grant Wood then got Hunter Hines to ground out to end the game.
South Alabama used 10 pitchers in the win, none of whom worked more than an inning.
The Bulldogs play one more game in Biloxi on Wednesday evening against New Orleans, then return to Dudy Noble Field to open Southeastern Conference play for a three-game series against No. 2 LSU.
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