Offensive explosion Tigers waited for all season sparked by Peterson brothers
May 18, 2021 | Sports,
Justin Craft
Mizzou came into this game off a big upset win on Friday winning 7-6 against the Bulldogs snapping their 10-game losing streak. This win helped build the momentum and win the series against the No. 3 team in the country. Mississippi State hasn’t lost back-to-back home games since March 28 against Arkansas when they lost all three. The Bulldogs are 24-7 at home this season coming into this game.
Early in this game Mizzou’s bats sparked the offense and the Tigers were rolling and wanted to add another loss to Mississippi State’s home record.
The Tigers found a way to get to the Bulldogs pitcher: Houston Harding. Harding coming into this game had an ERA of 2.21. Top of the 1st, with two outs, Clayton Peterson hit a two-run RBI single, which scored Andrew Keefer and Mark Vierling, 2-0. Top of the 2nd, the twin follows: Alex Peterson hits a solo HR to left field, and the Tigers lead 3-0.
Tigers don’t let off the gas going into the Top of the 3rd inning. Torin Montgomery hits a leadoff double down the left field line. Followed by Clayton Peterson sac bunt single. Now runners at the corners. Joshua Day singles to leftfield advances to second on an error by Bulldogs LF Kellum Clark, Peterson to third and Montgomery scores. 4-0. Harding pulled and pitcher: Cade Smith came into pitch for the Bulldogs. He walks Cameron Swanger to load the bases for the Tigers.
Only one out in the inning and the Tigers make an explosion happen. Brandt Belk hits a grand slam to right field, his second HR of the season, now 8-0. So far through three innings the Tigers have held the Bulldogs scoreless.
The Bulldogs find a way to slowly stop the bleeding. Bulldogs hit back-to-back HRs to start the bottom of the 4th by Luke Hancock and Logan Tanner. Bulldogs add two more runs off a sac fly by Tanner Leggett and a double by Rowdey Jordan, now 8-4.
Alex Peterson doesn’t let the surge from the Bulldogs in the 4th stop the offensive production by the Tigers. Top of the 5th, Peterson hit his second HR of the day to left field, 9-4. Later in the top of the 5th, Belk scored off a wild pitch from Preston Johnson, 10-4.
Bottom of the 5th, the Bulldogs find a diamond in the ruff to get them back within two runs in the game. They scored 4 runs off a Leggett 2 run RBI double and two singles by Scotty Dubrule and Kellum Clark, score now reads 10-8, Tigers.
All Mizzou after the 5th inning pouring on more runs. Two more runs in the 7th inning off singles by Day and Luke Mann, 12-8. Then later in the 9th inning, Mizzou was not done yet with adding the finishing touches on the game. Luke Mann hits a three run HR to right field to put the game away for the Tigers.
Mizzou held Mississippi State to 7 scoreless innings in the game. Alex Peterson 2 for 6, 3 runs, 2RBI’s and 2HRs. Clayton Peterson 1 for 5 and 2RBI’s. Mizzou’s first series they have won since April 3rd against Texas A&M. A big time win for this developing Tigers program.