Why sweeping Auburn proved Mississippi State baseball may have elevated beyond the minimum

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball had been treading water to this point. To make the postseason, SEC teams need to win home series and avoid getting swept on the road.

The Bulldogs did enough Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 win in the first game of a doubleheader against Auburn. Parlayed with an 8-1 win Friday, they had clinched a series win and did enough to label it a successful weekend.

However, for a coach who led the program to its first national title in 2021, doing just enough isn't the plan. With the Bulldogs trailing 3-1 late in Sunday’s finale, he delivered a message in the dugout.

“We’re trying to get every game,” Chris Lemonis said. “We’re still fighting to gain some back. It’s not OK. That’s been the challenge. Once we won the first game, it’s not OK. It’s independent of everything.”

His team responded, scoring two in the seventh inning on Logan Kohler's double before securing a 4-3 win with a Connor Hujsak's single in the eighth.

For the first time since 2021, the Bulldogs (26-14, 10-8 SEC) swept a conference opponent. It’s likely no coincidence Sunday showed flashes of a team capable of reaching lofty goals for the first time since that 2021 national `title winning group.

“Getting the sweep was what we wanted all day,” Hujsak said. “We didn’t want to get out of here just winning the series. (Lemonis) preaching that all day was big.”

The issue that has plagued Mississippi State the previous two seasons has developed into a strong suit. Without its pitching, it wouldn’t have had a chance to sweep Auburn (19-20, 2-16). Without the stellar showings on the mound, perhaps the Bulldogs wouldn’t have even won the series.

They have an ace in Khal Stephen for the first time since Landon Sims went down with a season-ending injury early in 2022.

His seven innings without an earned run Friday set up Lemonis’ staff with a plethora of options in the remaining two games — especially after Saturday’s postponement because of weather set up two seven-inning games Sunday.

Sophomore ambidextrous pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje helped the equation with 6⅔ innings pitched, giving Lemonis choices as they looked for the sweep.

Brooks Auger gave him three innings. Cam Schuelke gave 1⅓. Nolan Stevens gave 1⅔.

“When you’ve got the better pitchers, it’s better to play seven innings,” former MSU coach Ron Polk told Lemonis.

“I guess he was right,” Lemonis said. “That’s why he’s got so many wins.”

To cap it, Tyson Hardin closed with two shutout innings — a reminder of how Lemonis and pitching coach Justin Parker have improved their staff.

Last season, in his first year at MSU after coming from Dayton State College, Hardin had a 12.81 ERA as he continued his transition into being a full-time pitcher.

Throughout the woes, Lemonis gave him chances. He reiterated his belief in Hardin’s ability, which is reflected in his 2.57 ERA this year.

“He was the MVP of the day,” Lemonis said. “ . . . His history of pitching isn’t as much as some of the other guys. He’s developing into one of the better relievers in our league.”

STATE'S LEADER: David Mershon is Mississippi State baseball's voice — from field, faith to national anthem

Offensively, the Bulldogs have been fueled by stars David Mershon, Dakota Jordan and Hunter Hines. However, against Auburn, Hujsak, Kohler, Ethan Pulliam and Bryce Chance delivered some of the biggest moments.

Mississippi State is showing depth in various areas to suggest the program is returning to its standard. Perhaps more importantly, Lemonis is implementing a mentality of wanting more than the minimum.

“I don’t think we’re close to being as good as we can be yet,” Hujsak said. “As we keep growing together and trusting one another, we’re going to be something special by the end of the year.”

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What Mississippi State baseball proved in sweep of Auburn