Transcript: Everything Chris Lemonis Said Following Mississippi State's 9-4 Win Over LSU

Things went far from planned in Mississippi State baseball's first game of the series against the No. 2 ranked LSU Tigers as the Bulldogs fell 12-1 in a run-rule loss on Friday.

But Saturday held much better fortune as MSU recorded a statement win in an otherwise disappointing season, knocking off one of the nation's powerhouses, 9-4, with a late-game explosion behind the plane.

Here's everything head coach Chris Lemonis had to say when he met with the media following the victory:

Question: "You beat the No. 2 team in the country tonight. Your thoughts?"

Chris Lemonis: "I think it started with Cade Smith. Just really good on the mound. Gave us a chance and pitched and mixed all night long. We kept the game close and then we got a big inning. They just kept competing. I give the kids a lot of credit for that, and I’m proud of them. It’s been a tough two and a half, three weeks, and these guys keep coming and fighting, scratching and clawing…whatever they can, they’re fighting to get to Hoover. It’s exciting to see that. I know it’s a feel-good night for these guys."

Q: "How pleased were you with Cade tonight?"

CL: "Real pleased. I didn’t feel good about the strategy (holding Cade back a day) last night in about the sixth. You never go into a game not taking your best guy, but that Skenes guy is just so good. Cade was great. He mixed and pitched. He was in and out, up and down. Good change up tonight. It’s been developing for him. He’s an upper-level type guy. Really, really good start tonight."

Q: "How pleased were you with some of the bigger swings of your offense tonight?"

CL: "They competed, some big swings. And some big walks. We’ve had our pitching struggles this year, but the last week or two it’s been tough. The offense…go back and look at the arms we’ve faced over the last couple of weeks. Dollander, Skenes, Hagen Smith. They’ve been fighting. To come out tonight and keep that mentality was huge. I’m happy for them."

Q: "How about getting out of that early inning with just one run?"

CL: "Great slider there. I thought KC Hunt got us out of the jam in the seventh with the double-play ball. We had some big pitches, we made some big plays. I thought Kellum Clark’s play in the ninth…I know we were up by 5…but when you get the leadoff guy out – Crews – to start the inning was huge. Hunter Hines goes into the stands to make a catch too. Some good defense tonight, too."

Q: "Why do you think you’ve been so successful against Crews?"

CL: "I don’t know, probably lucky. That guy’s so good. He hits everybody, but our kids have made some good pitches, and had a good mix against him. That’s a premier talent there. I wish we had the same success against the guy behind him."

 Q: "You obviously weren’t messing around with your pitching decisions?"

CL: "No, we have to win. Every game is important to us. We had to get a win just to let these guys get on the bus and feel good about themselves. That’s the tough part about this game. It can beat you down, especially at this level. And we’re fighting to get to Hoover. They’re up and they were up yesterday. A lot of kids would tuck their tails and go home. These kids want to keep playing. It’s good for them tonight to feel good."

Q: "What are your pitching plans for Sunday?"

CL: "We’ll go with Lo... Yeah…Nixon and KC, probably Holcombe, and Cheatham. We’ve got a group of guys who can run out there tomorrow. You’ve got to control these guys, they can get going quick. Cade did such an unbelievable job tonight."