Hoover 2017: Day 3 Recap, Day 4 Open Thread

MISSISSIPPI STATE 4, ARKANSAS 3

Arkansas finally got their first action of the SEC Tournament on Thursday against a Mississippi St squad that clearly knows it needs more on it’s resume if it wants to host in the post season. Arkansas took the lead in the first thanks to a 2 run homer by Luke Bonfield that would become a signal that home runs were still easy to come by on day 3 in Hoover. The Hogs built a 3-0 lead while State tested, but didn’t score on ARK starting pitcher Trevor Stephan until an RBI single in the 6th. Stephan was pulled in the 7th and State pounced on the relief. A lead-off E3 on a bobbled ball was later brought home on a ground out in the 8th, then in the 9th, Brent Rooker got another RBI double and Arkansas’s relief pitching totally collapsed, giving up the lead on a bases loaded walk. Arkansas managed only 5 hits against State’s #2 weekend guy and his relief. State moved into the winner’s bracket and will face Florida for the right to not play a DH on Friday. The Hogs would need to regroup quickly, as they faced an elimination game just hours later. Boy, would they regroup.

SOUTH CAROLINA 10, MISSOURI 2

The weather wasn’t really a factor Wednesday, other than maybe it was a bit cooler than expected. Somehow, that’s got to account for the rest of the day’s games having offensive explosions. South Carolina just bombed away on Mizzou pitching. The Gamecocks had 4 home runs in this game including 2 3RBI jacks by LF Carlos Cortes in consecutive innings, tying single game tournament records. Mizzou’s only highlight was Nelson Mompierre getting his 2nd, 9th inning, pinch hit, pointless home run in as many nights. I dunno who this guy is, but maybe Mizzou should had him in the lineup? The Tiger’s season is likely done. South Carolina gets Kentucky in an elimination game Friday afternoon.

ARKANSAS 12, AUBURN 0 (7)

Chad Spanberger is a damn cheat code. The Arkansas 1B nearly run-ruled Auburn BY HIMSELF in this game. His at-bats were as follows: HR, 2RBI HR, Grand Slam, Intentional Walk, FC Reach. Arkansas put up 12 runs on 14 hits and run ruled Auburn in the 7th inning. While the gaudy numbers at the plate were impressive, equal credit goes to the pitching of Dominic Taccolini, Matt Cronin, Josh Alberius who combined for the first no-hitter in SEC Tournament history. Arkansas gets Friday’s Miss St/UF loser in the night cap. Auburn’s amazing collapse from leading the SEC West at the start of May is now complete, and they’re going to have a nervous couple of hours on Monday.

Friday, May 25th Schedule

Game 12: #1 Florida vs #5 Mississippi State 11 AM

Game 13: #11 South Carolina vs #3 Kentucky 3 PM

Game 14: #4 Arkansas vs Loser Game 12 TBD

LSU has the day off.

As always, all games can be seen live on SEC Network and the WatchESPN app. Also, the great neutral SEC Radio Network feed is live for the entire tournament on satellite radio, Westwood One affiliates nationwide, and the Tunein streaming service.