STARKVILLE — LSU freshman right-hander Kevin Gausman limited Mississippi State to one run over 7.2 innings Thursday night and the Tigers erupted for 10 runs in the sixth inning to defeat the Bulldogs, 17-1.

LSU improved to 35-19 overall and 12-16 in the SEC with Thursday’s victory. The Tigers have won 11 of their last 13 games, including eight of their last 10 league contests.

Mississippi State dropped to 33-20 overall, 13-15 in league play.

The series between the Tigers and the Bulldogs resumes at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

“I thought coming into tonight that the key to the game would be Kevin Gausman, and he gave us another great performance,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “He was dominating on the mound with his fastball and his secondary pitches. I thought our approach at the plate was outstanding and we had several excellent at-bats. I’m so proud of the kids for the way they’ve played over the past few weeks, but we still have a lot of work to do. We have to get the job done here this weekend if we want to accomplish significant goals this season.”

Gausman (5-6), who fired a four-hit shutout against Tennessee last weekend, allowed just four hits in his 7.2-inning outing Friday with one walk and seven strikeouts.

Mississippi State starter Luis Pollorena (6-4) was charged with the loss, as he surrendered seven runs on seven hits with two walks and one strikeout.

LSU’s 14-hit attack was paced by junior centerfielder Mikie Mahtook, who was 3-for-4 with a double, a two-run homer and four RBI. Sophomore Mason Katz was 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI, and freshman second baseman JaCoby Jones scored three runs and added a two-run dinger.