South Carolina's Alex Valentin Looks to Slow Down Mississippi State

Bulldogs aim for series sweep as Gamecocks turn to junior lefty on the mound.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:19pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a college baseball game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the colors of the Bulldogs and Gamecocks uniforms.The series finale between Mississippi State and South Carolina features a clash of talented left-handed pitchers, with high stakes for both teams' postseason hopes.Mississippi State Today

The #17 Mississippi State Bulldogs will look to complete a three-game sweep of the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday. After winning the first two games of the series, the Bulldogs will send sophomore southpaw Charlie Foster to the mound, while the Gamecocks will counter with junior left-hander Alex Valentin.

Why it matters

This series has major implications for both teams' postseason aspirations. Mississippi State is looking to solidify its position as a regional host, while South Carolina is fighting to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation. Valentin's performance on the mound could be crucial in determining the outcome of the series finale.

The details

Valentin has made 15 appearances with three starts and four saves this season, posting a 3.73 ERA in 31.1 innings of work. He has struck out 41 batters and walked 16, while opponents are hitting just .191 against him. However, nearly half of the hits he has allowed have gone for extra bases.

  • The series finale is set for Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 12:30 CT.

The players

Alex Valentin

A junior left-handed pitcher for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Charlie Foster

A sophomore left-handed pitcher for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

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What they’re saying

“We'll need Alex to be on top of his game if we want to avoid the sweep. He's been solid for us all season, and we're counting on him to keep us in it tomorrow.”

— Mark Kingston, South Carolina Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of this series finale will have the momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season as they look to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks features two talented left-handed pitchers looking to lead their teams to victory. The outcome could have significant implications for both programs' postseason aspirations.