Mississippi State fell 8-0 and 3-1 to UCLA in the finals of the College World Series last Monday and Tuesday (June 24-25) in Omaha, Neb. The Bulldogs failed to generate any offense against the Bruins in either game.
In the first game, the Bruins jumped on the Bulldogs quickly in the first inning. All season long, Mississippi State’s strength has been its bullpen.
However, a dominant bullpen is mostly effective when a team has the lead.
The Bulldogs fell behind early in both games, and they failed to recover as UCLA earned its their first ever college baseball national championship.
Season Wrap-Up
For the sixth consecutive year, a SEC team made the finals of the College World Series. Much like football, the conference is arguably the best in the nation every year.
Although Mississippi State finished second in the College World Series, it was still another successful year for the Southeastern Conference.
Vanderbilt set the SEC record for wins, and over half of the conference made the NCAA tournament.
Both Alabama and Auburn had less than stellar seasons, although both teams have the potential to be much improved next season. Alabama made the NCAA tournament, where Crimson Tide were ousted by Troy.
Auburn missed the tournament again, which resulted in Head Coach John Pawlowski’s termination.
Postseason Awards
First Team All-SEC
First Base: Mason Katz, LSU
Second Base: Tony Kemp, Vanderbilt
Third Baseman: Christian Ibara, LSU
Shortstop: Alex Bregman, LSU
Catcher: Stuart Turner, Ole Miss
Outfielder: Mike Yastrzemski, Vanderbilt
Outfielder: Hunter Renfroe, Mississippi State
Outfielder: Raph Rhymes, LSU
Designated Hitter: Keaton Steele, Missouri
Utility: A.J. Reed, Kentucky
Pitchers: Aaron Nola, LSU, Tyler Beede, Vanderbilt, Jonathan Holder, Mississippi State (relief)
Player of the Year: Tony Kemp, Vanderbilt
Pitcher of the Year: Aaron Nola, LSU
Freshman of the Year: Alex Bregman, LSU
Coach of the Year: Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt
Second Team All-SEC
1B: Garrett Cooper, Auburn
2B: JaCoby Jones, LSU
3B: Curt Powell, Georgia
SS: Mikey Reynolds, Texas A&M
C: Grayson Greiner, South Carolina
OF: Brian Anderson, Arkansas
OF: Krey Bratsen, Texas A&M
OF: Connor Harrell, Vanderbilt
DH: Andrew Mistone, Ole Miss
UTL: Brett Pirtle, Mississippi State
P: Ryne Stanek, Arkansas, Bobby Wahl, Ole Miss, Tyler Webb, South Carolina (relief)