Mississippi State third baseman Gavin Collins makes an acrobatic throw on a ninth-inning bunt against Fullerton (Aaron Fitt)

Collins, Sexton Propel MSU

STARKVILLE, Miss. — As a native of Orange County, Calif., Gavin Collins is plenty familiar with the small-ball proclivities of OC-based superpower Cal State Fullerton — a program that has driven opposing third basemen bonkers for decades with its liberal use of bunting and slashing. So Collins, who moved from catcher to third base just nine months ago, knew the Titans would try to exploit his inexperience at the hot corner.

“We talked about that before the game, and I tried to give a good scouting report,” Collins said. “I know how they’re going to play it, and[…]