Mississippi State Strikes Out 21 Batters, Breaks CWS Record In Win Over Texas

Mississippi State baseball got dominant performances from Will Bednar and Landon Sims on Sunday. During the College World Series opener against the Texas Longhorns, the Bulldogs pitching duo struck out an eye-popping 21 batters, a new CWS team record.

First, Bednar, a redshirt freshman from Valencia, Pa., got the job done. His career-high 15 strikeouts over six innings was the most in a College World Series game in 25 years, according to Eric Olson with The News & Observer.

Then Sims, a sophomore from Cummings, Ga., came in to clean things up. He did give up one earned run on a solo shot from outfielder Mike Antico in the bottom of the ninth, but he also posted six strikeouts in the last three innings to close out the 2-1 victory over the Longhorns.

Now Texas is only one loss away from elimination. And whom do they play in that elimination game on Tuesday? No. 3 Tennessee, who is coming off 0-6 loss to Virginia on Sunday. Winner stays, loser goes home.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State will take on Virginia on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT in Omaha. Get your popcorn ready because college sports isn't over yet. We've still got a ways to go before we officially hit the summer.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.