Mississippi State Hands UF Baseball First Home Loss Since Last Year

All good things must come to an end. The top ranked Florida (29-4, 8-3) baseball team lost to Mississippi State (22-9-1, 7-4) at home 10-4 Saturday, ending a school record 29 game winning streak at McKethan that dated back all the way to last May. To add salt on the wound, there was a school record 6,244 fans in attendance for the contest. This is also the Bulldogs’ first win against the top-ranked team on the road. Florida outfielder Jeremy Vasquez says losing at home is just part of baseball.

Mississippi State was all over Florida starter Alex Faedo from the get go. In the first inning, the Bulldogs hit three straight singles through the left side to load the bases with no outs. Faedo hit the next batter in the head bringing home the first run. Reid Humphreys then hit a double to right center scoring two giving State a 3-0 lead. The Bulldogs would add one more run in the inning on a fielder’s choice.

In the third, Mississippi State jumped all over Faedo again scoring five more runs. Faedo loaded the bases with no outs for the second time in three innings. Cody Brown would take advantage by hitting his second career grand slam putting the Gators down 8-0. Mississippi State added one more on a triple from Jake Mangum.

Faedo didn’t look in the zone like he usually does giving up a career high nine runs in just five innings of work. Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan says Faedo didn’t place his fastball well and let the game speed up too much.

Buddy Reed put the Gators on the board with a three-run homer to right field with two outs in the third inning. This was his third homer of the year.

Both bullpens did good work as no more runs were scored until the eighth and ninth innings.  Florida added one on an RBI single from Jonathan India in the eighth and the Bulldogs plated a run in the ninth.  India had a good day at the plate despite the loss going 3 for 4 with an RBI.

The 10 run total is the most the Gators have given up since May 1, 2015 against Georgia in Athens. The Orange and Blue will try to clinch the series Sunday as they send AJ puk to the mound. Puk left his last start early due to back spasms but has thrown bullpen since then and seems to be fine. O’Sullivan says he’ll throw if healthy but wont risk anything. Dane Dunning would get the start if Puk can’t go. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. but you can tune into ESPN Gainesville at 3:55 p.m. for live coverage.