STARKVILLE – In the first four conference series, the Mississippi State pitching staff was often victimized by the big inning. This weekend, the Bulldog bats returned the favor en route to MSU’s second series win in SEC action.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs used a six-run seventh inning to break open a close game. On Sunday, MSU used a pair of five-run innings to capture a 14-6 victory over Tennessee to clinch the series.

Connor Powers, Jet Butler and Russ Sneed each drove in three runs to pace MSU’s offense, which produced 15 hits on the day and 37 hits on the weekend.

“Anytime (the wind) is blowing in like that, I try to hit with more topspin on the ball to hit line drives,” said Powers. “On days like this, that’s what is going to win, especially here (at Dudy Noble Field).”

MSU head coach John Cohen missed his club’s victory on Saturday after being suspended for one game by the league office. Cohen was ejected Friday night, his second ejection of the season, resulting in the suspension.

But what he missed Saturday he got to see first hand at Dudy Noble on Sunday.

The Bulldogs moved to 19-17 on the year and upped their league mark to 5-10. Despite their slow start and a youth-filled roster, the Bulldogs are tied with Kentucky and Alabama for eighth in the overall league standings.

Tennessee fell to 18-19 and 4-11 in the SEC.

“We’ve talked a lot about being real close,” said Cohen. “I think our kids are aware of our RPI. We’ve talked about just competing (to) find a way to get to the conference tournament, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“I think we can get into a (NCAA) regional even as inconsistent as we’ve been. I think that’s still out there and I think our seniors deserve that opportunity.

MSU freshman southpaw Luke Bole (2-0) benefitted from the offensive fireworks and picked up the win. Bole allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings of work, striking out two and issuing two walks.

“I think the reason we had success (Saturday) and (Sunday) is that we just started having fun,” Bole said. “I thought we had started out playing kinda pressured a bit. Now it’s kinda like we are ready to roll.”

Tennessee starting pitcher Steven Gruber (1-3) was roughed up by MSU early and exited in the third inning. Gruber allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in just two innings, and gave up MSU’s first five-run inning of the day.

When Gruber left in the third inning, the Volunteers were already trailing 7-2.

Naturally, Powers played a key role in that third inning, and highlighted the frame with a two-run double.

Tennessee’s staff had major issues with Powers all weekend long.

The MSU senior first baseman was 9 for 13 for the weekend, drove in six runs and scored nine runs.

With a nice cushion for most of the game, Bole was able to toss a career-long six innings. He was relieved by fellow classmates Kendall Graveman and Ben Bracewell.

“We had three freshmen arms go out there today and throw a baseball 91 miles-per-hour or better,” said Cohen. “That doesn’t happen a lot in this league. Those three kids are going to be really special. Each one of them has some stuff to work on but I think we really have a good foundation.”

In State’s five-run explosion in the fifth inning, Butler had a three-run double as the Bulldogs built a comfortable 12-3 advantage. Butler, Nick Vickerson Sneed had two hits apiece while Matt Duffy paced Tennessee with three hits, including a pair of doubles.