ATHENS, Ga. - A lack of timely hitting was too much for Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs managed just three runs despite collecting 14 hits in Friday night's 5-3 loss to No. 3 Georgia.

Georgia improved to 17-2 on the season and improved to 2-2 in conference play.

MSU's failure to cash in on run-scoring opportunities was evident in the top of the ninth, when the Bulldogs (13-7, 2-2 SEC) stranded a pair of runners after bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with only one out.

After striking for one run off Georgia closer Dean Weaver, Conner Powers struck out swinging and Ryan Collins flied out to deep center to end it.

A crowd of 3,876 - second-largest home crowd in school history - watched the start of a three-game set. The two teams play again today at 2 p.m.

Georgia's Trevor Holder (4-1) allowed two runs and eight hits over seven innings for the win, while MSU's Tyler Whitney (2-1) took the loss.

Freshman lefty Nick Routt (2-0) is slated to start for MSU; Georgia counters with junior southpaw Alex McRee (2-0).