Transcript: Everything Mississippi State Baseball Coach Chris Lemonis Said After 12-11 Loss at Auburn

Mississippi State baseball head coach Chris Lemonis met with the media following the team's 12-11 loss to the Auburn Tigers in the final game of the series.

Mississippi State baseball came close to winning its third consecutive SEC series on Sunday when it faced the Auburn Tigers for the final matchup of the weekend, but came up just short as the Tigers finally found they rhythm in the back half of the action to secure the 12-11 victory.

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

Q: What do you think is happening late in games to the bullpen?

Chris Lemonis: Credit them a little bit. But we’ve got to pitch better. Don’t give up the freebies and then on top of it give up a homer. Not a good combination.

Q: How do you characterize the feeling of the team right now, a gut punch?

CL: Disappointed, crushed, whatever you want to call it. Jump out, command a lead early, Lo was pitching great. Tip you hat to them, they didn’t quit. They had a pitcher come in and give them a hold and we didn’t keep the ball in the ballpark. We walk out of here thinking we should have won. 

Q: What do you think is happening late in games to the bullpen?

CL: Credit them a little bit. But we’ve got to pitch better. Don’t give up the freebies and then on top of it give up a homer. Not a good combination.

Q: Late in the game when they got a runner on second with first base open, was there conversations going on with first base open?

CL: There are, but we’re in the middle of everything right there and we felt like we had a chance with him because of the matchup.

Q: What did you see from Nate when he went out?

CL: He said it got tight on him. We don’t know. We’ll have to see when we get back.

Q: Can you describe Nate’s performance prior to that?

CL: I thought his first inning was really good. Then they get a couple of hits on him…I haven’t seen the pitches. It’s three hits…it’s not walking guys. Just a tough inning.

Q: What’s your confidence level that the bullpen can get fixed?

CL: We’ve got it fixed. This year is flying by. We haven’t been great on the mound. We pitched good last weekend, we pitch good at times. We’re getting better, but it’s one step forward, two steps back. It’s frustrating.

Q: How do you keep this weekend from cascading?

CL:  We’ve got to come out and play good on Tuesday. We’ve got a big weekend ahead of us. A lot of travel, more SEC games, we’re gonna have to have someone step up and give us some good performances on the rubber.

Q: Is Evan Siary available?

CL: He is available, just didn’t get a chance to get him in.