HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — Freshman Sterlin Thompson had a two-run double and a solo home run, and No. 6 seed Florida opened the second round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday with a 13-1 victory over third-seeded Mississippi State in seven innings.
Florida (38-19) plays in the winner’s bracket on Thursday, while Mississippi State (40-15) needs a win to stay in the double-elimination tournament.
Kris Armstrong added a two-run double and a two-run single, and Jacob Young had three RBIs for Florida. Thompson, Young and Armstrong combined for five RBIs in the third inning for a 9-1 lead. Thompson’s double down the right-field line highlighted a four-run seventh.
Florida collected 18 hits, reaching the mark in a SEC Tournament game for the second time in program history.
Florida starter Hunter Barco (10-2) only allowed four hits and one run in seven innings. Barco got Lane Forsythe to fly out in the seventh to end the game on the 10-run rule.
Brandon Smith (4-3) gave up eight hits and six runs in a two-inning start for Mississippi State.
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