HOOVER, Ala. (AP) – Zac Houston allowed four hits in 8 2/3 innings and Gavin Collins went 4 for 4 with a homer to help Mississippi State beat Alabama 4-1 on Wednesday night in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Mississippi State, the SEC’s regular-season champion, earned its 12th consecutive victory. The Bulldogs (41-14-1) will face the winner of Wednesday night’s Florida-LSU game. Alabama (32-25) will play the loser of the Florida-LSU contest in an elimination game.

Collins hit a leadoff homer in the fourth inning. Collins also singled home a run in the first, and he singled and scored in the sixth.

Houston (5-0) struck out five and walked nobody. He appeared on his way to a shutout until Alabama’s Georgie Salem and Chandler Taylor hit consecutive two-out doubles in the ninth. Blake Smith relieved Houston and struck out Will Haynie to earn his fourth save.

Alabama starter Geoffrey Bramblett (5-4) allowed four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.