CHARLOTTESVILLE – Chris Lemonis said it Saturday night. "It's going to be a long day, hopefully." The Diamond Dogs did their afternoon part to give themselves and skipper a full-length Sunday.
Mississippi State's post-season offense came to life at last with 19 hits, including home runs by David Mershon and Dakota Jordan, to whip St. John's 13-5 in the Charlottesville Regional elimination round. The second-seed Bulldogs (2-1) turn around quickly for an evening contest with host squad Virginia (2-0).
"There's not a lot of advantage in the loser's bracket," Lemonis said, other than this chance to win again and regain some confidence ahead of a rematch. "You can take that into the next game."
The 6:00 game repeats Saturday's evening battle won by top-seed Virginia 5-4 on an errored ground ball in the bottom of the ninth inning. If the Bulldogs can even the tally this evening there will be a third round Monday.
Such a scenario was on Mississippi State minds at noon first pitch today. What the Bulldogs did not want, other than to lose of course, was be in a nine-inning battle. This needed be as fast a knockout as possible.
The knockout did happen but not until the last two turns as St. John's stayed in range, barely. Lemonis expected no less. "I'm an old Big Easter myself, so I spent about seven years fighting those guys."
Fortunately for the coach's hope and club confidence Dogs had more punch in this fight. Even in scoreless innings State was making contact off all Red Storm arms, putting runners on bases, and keeping the pressure on. Eventually St. John's broke down.
"We saw some guys have a pretty good day at the plate," Lemonis said.
Or a great day in Jordan's case. The Friday night walk-off hero struggled Saturday night but found Red Storm pitching to his liking. Jordan posted a 5-of-5 line in six turns at the plate, beginning with four-straight singles providing a RBI and one run. He scored on an eighth-inning walk as well, then in the ninth cranked a 0-2 offering into the trees behind left-centerfield for the last three State runs.
It was his 19th homer of the sophom*ore season and 70th RBI. Mershon's shot came in the top of the sixth for a pair of RBI and was more meaningful in the game's context at the time. St. John's fell behind 6-0 before putting two runs on the scoreboard in both the fourth and fifth frames.
So just as the pressure was shifting, Mershon's drive staying inside the left foul pole put the Bulldogs back in charge for good. The shortstop was 3-of-5 with the two RBI and four runs scored himself. Behind those two Hunter Hines was 2-of-5 driving in two with a run as well.
In fact the 2-through-5 slots in State's order accounted for 14 of the 19 safeties and 11 runs driven in. All this offense was exactly what starting pitcher Brooks Auger and mid-game reliever Cam Schuelke needed to just go and throw.
Making just his fifth start all season, Auger took care of the first 4.1 innings with three runs off six hits. He only walked one Johnnie and did make the other order work for what they got. "Being a closer I tried not to do too much," Auger said.
"Obviously I didn't have my best stuff but we held St. John's where they were. Just throw strikes and get outs and do what I can do."
Auger left with a 6-2 lead and a runner on base. Schuelke ran into troubles immediately, not all his responsibility as a Dog defense that had been lights out this weekend had some surprising breakdowns. A throwing error to third base by catcher Joe Powell after a strikeout scored one runner, and a passed ball another.
Schuelke (5-3) ended that inning on a three-pitch strikeout and was able to work his way through the remaining 4.2 innings with five hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts. He earned the decision with the longer stint.
Though Auger did not go the seven or so innings he'd hoped, his start and Schuelke's support gave the chance State wanted to minimize staff strain ahead of the evening. "They did exactly that," Lemonis said. "We were able to get a lead and pitch with a lead. When (St.John's) did score we made them earn it. that's all you ask right now."
The Dogs earned their runs too. For two innings they were pounding Evan Chaffee's pitches into the dirt for huge hops, some working for hits but no runs. Once State stopped swinging over pitched and barreled balls up, the assault was on.
"You just saw guys getting better swings and better swings, and it build confidence," Lemonis said. Pitcher confidence was also aided by some pretty special defensive play from Mershon, second baseman Amani Larry, and third baseman Logan Kohler getting to well-struck grounders and making accurate throws.
Lemonis and Auger had to leave the post-win presser quickly to prepare for Virginia. Righthander Pico Kohn will get the start against a Cavalier order that can mash, never mind being held to just five runs last night. Auger won't be pitching, but he figures more than his arm will be tired by late tonight.
"I plan to not have a voice when I walk out of the park."
