Recap - #21 Mississippi State 6, #6 Vanderbilt 3, 3/22/14

Surprise went through the Bulldog community when Ross Mitchell was announced the starter in game one of last Saturday's doubleheader against Georgia. After a complete game and giving up only one run, Ross Mitchell solidified his role as not only a reliever, but a starter as well. He was the first man on the mound for the Bulldogs last night, as MSU clinched the biggest series of the year with a 6-3 victory over #6, SEC foe Vanderbilt

It took Vanderbilt one inning to take a 2-0 lead, and it seemed like Ross Mitchell may be losing his starting role, but he bounced back in a big way. He pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out three, and gave up only two walks. Jonathan Holder strolled into the Dude with "God's Gonna Cut You Down" playing over the loudspeakers in the B8 with a man on second with one out, and in typical Holder fashion, he struck out two to end the inning. No wonder people call him "Johnny Baseball". Although he gave up a run in the 9th, Holder was able to get the save, his third of the year.

Ross Mitchell struck out three in 6 1/3 innings pitched in State's 6-3 win over Vanderbilt.

Unlike Friday night, Vanderbilt didn't help Mississippi State with defensive struggles, but the Bulldog bats were hot. The biggest play of the game came from Seth Heck with a 2 RBI double in the 3rd to give State the lead, and from that point, Mississippi State gained confidence and closed out the game.

Mississippi State looks to have their first series sweep over Vanderbilt since 2000 and their first 5-1 SEC start since 2003 Sunday at 1:30 with Trevor Fitts starting. Mississippi State improves to 17-8, 4-1, and Vanderbilt drops to 19-5, 2-3.