Valincius Brothers Power Mississippi State to SEC Tournament Run-Rule Win

HOOVER, Ala. — Vytas Valincius made history for Mississippi State and Tomas Valincius delivered a strong start as the Bulldogs defeated Missouri 12-2 in seven innings Wednesday at the SEC Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Vytas Valincius became the first player in MSU history to hit two home runs in the same inning at the SEC Tournament. He also was the first Bulldog to accomplish the feat since Hunter Hines did so on May 15, 2025, at Missouri. Vytas drove in four runs, with his home runs coming in the sixth inning, which helped break open a tight game and trigger a run-rule victory.

In the sixth, Vytas Valincius started with a solo shot to left field, then added a three-run homer later in the inning. Tomas Valincius pitched six innings, allowing two runs — one earned — on five hits. He struck out eight and improved to 10-2 this season. Ben Davis finished the game with a scoreless seventh inning.

Missouri scored first with a home run from Kam Durnin in the opening inning, but Mississippi State responded in the second. Jacob Parker singled, stole second, and Bryce Chance reached on an error. Ryder Woodson then hit a three-run homer to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead. The Tigers trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth, but MSU answered in the bottom half with two walks and a single to take a 4-2 lead.

The decisive eighth-run inning began with Vytas Valincius’ first homer of the frame. The Bulldogs then loaded the bases with a walk, hit-by-pitch, and single, leading to multiple runs scored before Vytas Valincius’s second homer sealed the victory. Woodson drove in three RBIs, while Frei had two RBIs and Chance scored three times.

Missouri’s Brady Kehlenbrink took the loss, allowing four runs, one earned, over 4 1/3 innings. Durnin led the Tigers with two hits, including a homer. Mississippi State will face top-seeded Georgia in the next round Thursday at 3 p.m. on SEC Network.

Source: Original Article