STARKVILLE -- The Mississippi State Diamond Dawgs took down No. 9 South Carolina, 13-3, in seven innings on Friday night at Dudy Noble Field. The Dawgs hit four homers in the contest, as Slate Alford hit two of the four.

Landon Gartman drew the start for the Dawgs (16-12, 1-7 SEC). He put out an impressive showing through five innings of work and only gave up five hits and three earned runs, and he had zero walks on the day. Cade Smith came in for relief and shut out the Gamecocks in the final two innings. He had two strikeouts and only one walk with seven batters faced.

The Bulldogs put on a show at the plate tonight as Hunter Hines, Dakota Jordan, and Slate Alford were perfect on the day. Those three combined for 10 of the 12 RBIs and 11 of the 18 hits. Alford put on a show tonight as he hit a solo home run in back-to-back innings. Hunter Hines also had a two-run bomb today in the third, which gave State the early lead.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top First

Braylen Wimmer hit a home run to right to lead off the game. Mississippi State 0, South Carolina 1

Bottom First

Dakota Jordan singled to left as Colton Ledbetter scored from third. Mississippi State 1, South Carolina 1

Bottom Third

Hunter Hines drove a home run to right, which scored Ledbetter. Dakota Jordan hit a bomb to left for a solo home run. Slate Alford singled to left field, which scored Luke Hancock. Mississippi State 5, South Carolina 1

Bottom Fourth

With runners on the corners, Hines singled to right, which scored Kellum Clark. Mississippi State 6, South Carolina 1

Top Fifth

Evan Stone singled to center, which scored Dylan Brewer, then Wimmer doubled to right, which scored Stone from first. Mississippi State 6, South Carolina 3

Bottom Fifth

Slate Alford started off the inning with a solo home run. With the bases loaded, Hines singled to shallow right to score Clark. Dakota Jordan advanced to first on a walk which scored Amani Larry, then Hancock flew out to center, which scored Ledbetter. Mississippi State 10, South Carolina 3

Bottom Sixth

Slate Alford drove a solo home run to lead off the inning, his second of the game. Amani Larry doubled to deep center, which scored Clark from first, then Dakota Jordan singled to first, which scored Larry. Mississippi State 13, South Carolina 3

Up Next

The Bulldogs are back in action on Saturday as they try and win the series against the South Carolina Gamecocks. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on SECN+.