STARKVILLE — There has been nothing super about the Mississippi State baseball team’s weekend.
For the fifth time in six weekends, MSU has lost a Southeastern Conference series. Thanks to a 6-3 loss to No. 8 Florida on Friday night and a 2-1 setback on Saturday afternoon, MSU (22-18, 6-11 SEC) is seeing its postseason hopes flicker.
After losing for the 18th time in the team’s last 31 games, some of the Bulldogs began to think about what they have to do to make the postseason.
“I really love this team right now, how we are playing,” said MSU closer Trevor Fitts, who pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday. “At the same time, we know we have to start winning games. All of our goals are still in front of us, and I think we are capable of making it. It’s a matter of the wins following how well we’re playing. If it comes down to the last week and we have to win the SEC tournament just to get an at-large bid, that’s what we will have to do.”
If the postseason fretting seems premature, it isn’t. With four weekend series left, MSU fell to its lowest point above .500 this season. The Bulldogs’ Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) ranking is still at No. 91, a far cry from the profile of an at-large NCAA tournament team. In the SEC, MSU has lost five of its last six games.
When asked Saturday about the possibility of not making the NCAA tournament, MSU coach John Cohen didn’t address his team’s plight.
“We play Florida tomorrow,” Cohen said. “That’s what we think about. I know that’s really hard for you guys to believe. But we only think about one thing, and that’s playing Florida tomorrow. There is no other series. There is no other part of the year. I’m not trying to be crass, that’s just the reality. We have to try and salvage a win tomorrow.”
MSU, which hasn’t led in the series, has scored in two of its 18 innings in the series.
“We strike out three times for the game, but we are not competing at the plate the way we should,” Cohen said. “I thought we pitched it outstanding both games, especially Preston (Brown) today. But, at the end of the day, they are celebrating over in that dugout and we are not because they scored one more run than we did.”
On Saturday, Brown fell to 5-4 despite allowing two earned runs. The Gators broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh inning when first baseman Wes Rea slipped and fell fielding a bunt attempt by right fielder Ryan Larson, which allowed first baseman Peter Alonso, who was on third base after a pair of groundouts, to score.
“You look at the fact that if Wes chops his feet and stops the ball, they don’t score,” Cohen said. “Take that and consider they scored their other run of a 10-bounce ground ball that squeaked through the infield. This could be a different game.”
Instead, the loss looked all too familiar for the Bulldogs, who have struggled to score runs and prevent opponents from doing the same in league play.
MSU scored Saturday on a single by Rea that plated center fielder Jacob Robson, who singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. But that was it, as starting pitcher Dane Dunning and Aaron Rhodes and Bobby Poyner held MSU in check. Dunning gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings, while Rhodes pitched one scoreless inning to record his first win. Poyner pitched the final 2 2/3 for the save.
“Our kids are trying. They are competing,” Cohen said. “Maybe we don’t deserve the ball to bounce our way right now and Florida does deserve it. Maybe that’s how you explain it.”
The loss Friday followed a similar template.
After MSU scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut Florida’s lead to 4-3, the Gators pushed the lead back to 6-3 in the top of the fifth and were never challenged the rest of the way.
MSU’s big blow was a two-run double by John Holland.
“I thought that was going to make it a different game,” Holland said of the double. “But it really didn’t.”
Florida starter Logan Shore (6-2) logged a complete game win. He struck out six and walked none.
At 6-11, MSU ended Saturday in last place in the SEC Western Division. If the season ended today, MSU would be the 12th of 12 teams to qualify for the SEC tournament in Hoover, Alabama.
Fitts, though, believes the Bulldogs can reverse their fortunes.
“We are right there,” Fitts said. “I know it doesn’t show in our record, but we are. I am still excited about this team.”
The series finale is set for 2 p.m. today.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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