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One of the most intriguing teams in the NCAA baseball tournament to me -- after you get past the Cinderellas and downright quirky teams -- is Mississippi State. Quite frankly, I want to see exactly how far the Bulldogs can go on their admittedly unique pitching strategy, which views starting pitchers sort of as front-end relievers for relievers. And if Saturday's night game against South Alabama is any indication -- pretty far.
Once again, it was Ross Mitchell who took over after Luis Pollorena gave up two runs in 3.2 innings. And Mitchell scattered four hits over the final 5.1 innings while striking out five -- and while Mississippi State began to work its way back into the game.
That started with four runs in the top of the fifth, and Mississippi State never looked back from there. Now, the next win by the Bulldogs will send them to the super regionals, the next phase of a quest to show that a very unconventional rotation can outdo all the conventional pitching situations out there.