Mississippi State LHP Ethan Small won the SEC’s Pitcher of the Year award for 2019, in large part because of his insane strikeout numbers.

He fanned 168 batters in 102 innings this season, and has continued his fantastic pitching in the postseason, receiving the ball for the Bulldogs’ opener at the College World Series in Omaha on Sunday evening.

As you can see below, he struck out the first three Auburn Tigers he faced on Sunday, with the third strikeout coming on a nasty breaking ball:

Did he get a little bit lucky with the call on the second strikeout? Sure, but there was nothing cheap about strikeout Nos. 1 and 3.

He also struck out the first two batters he faced in the second inning, for good measure before allowing his first hit of the game.