- Looking back: After earning a pair of midweek wins over UAB and Southern Miss, MSU’s bats suddenly went cold in Knoxville. In the first two games of the series, both won by Tennessee, State managed only three runs and batted .175 against the statistically worst pitching staff in the SEC. Thus were wasted fine pitching performances by Tyler Whitney on Friday (five earned runs, 11 hits in 7.2 innings) and Nick Routt on Saturday (four earned runs, eight hits, eight innings).

Sunday was different, as MSU banged out 11 hits and scored three runs in the eighth inning for a 10-9 victory. First baseman Connor Powers belted his team-leading 11th home run of the season and sixth in his last eight games. Russ Sneed had three hits and three RBIs.

The search for a reliable Sunday starter continued, with sophomore Forrest Moore lasting only two innings, giving up three runs on three hits and walking four. Moore has started three of the five SEC Sunday games, posting an 11.25 ERA with 11 walks in eight innings in those starts.

- Looking ahead: Tonight is the Governor’s Cup tilt with Ole Miss (25-10) at Trustmark Park in Pearl. MSU won last year, 6-5. Junior righty Ricky Bowen (2-1, 5.40 ERA) is tonight’s likely starter.

- In the SEC: It’s Super Bulldog Weekend, with the spring football game and a three-game home series against coach John Cohen’s former team, Kentucky (18-16, 4-11), which like State is revamping under a new coach. The Bulldogs lost two of three in Lexington last season.

- MVP: Freshman left-hander Nick Routt threw his fourth straight complete game on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough in a 4-2 loss to Tennessee. In five SEC starts, Routt (4-2) has a 3.93 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 36.2 innings.

Compiled by Brad Locke