Bulldogs flash leather against the Tigers

May 23, 2012

MSU pitcher Chris Stratton now stands third in the nation in strikeouts for the season. (Photo by Michael Wardlaw, SDN)

HOOVER, Ala. – Mississippi State continued to showcase their defensive skills in the Southeastern Conference Tournament against the LSU Tigers on Wednesday.

In addition to Demarcus Henderson’s spectacular catch in the seventh inning, Hunter Renfroe turned in his 10th outfield assist to end a LSU rally in the third inning. The Tigers were threatening to answer State’s pair of runs in the top home of the inning when JaCoby Jones aggressively headed to third on a single to center from Raph Rhymes. Renfroe came up throwing and gunned down the greedy Tiger with the tag from Daryl Norris.

Not to be outdone, Mitch Slauter joined the defensive display in the fifth when he threw out his 12th base stealer of the season to end the only inning in which the Tigers scored.
 
Frazier's streak

Adam Frazier picked up a pair of hits against the Tigers and in doing so he extended his eight-game hitting streak.

He has also hit safely in 47 of MSU’s 57 games this season. His double in the fifth inning marked his fifth hit of the tournament which tied him for tops in Hoover.
 
Strikeout king

Junior pitcher Chris Stratton passed LSU’s Kevin Gausman for the league lead in strikeouts.

He struck out eight for the game and now stands third in the nation. In his two outing against the Tigers, Stratton has combined to allow three runs while striking out 25.
 
Twin killings

The Bulldogs turned their 62nd double play of the season and now stand third in the nation ahead of Washington State.
 
Tested freshman

It is no secret the Bulldogs have played several freshmen this season.
On Wednesday freshman Matthew Britton recorded five of the final nine outs of the ballgame from his position as second base.
 
The closer

Jonathan Holder picked up his eighth save of the season, his second of the SEC Tournament.

He has also extended his scoreless streak to 25.1 innings of work.