Mississippi State Bulldogs Defeat Houston to Sweep Bulldog Kickoff Classic

For the third time in a row in the young 2016 season, Mississippi State picked up a come from behind victory with the Bulldogs downing Houston 7-1 Sunday at Nusz Park in Starkville to complete play in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic.

Houston (3-2) took advantage of a couple of singles in the top of the second inning, including an RBI single from Katie St. Pierre to take a 1-0 lead.

Mississippi State (5-0) freshman, Sarai Niu provided a quick answer for the Bulldogs, leveling the game at 1-1 with her second home run of the season.

The Bulldogs added three runs in the fourth when freshman Kat Moore picked up her first RBI of her Mississippi State career, and freshman Emily Heimberger picked up the first triple of her career, which drove in two more runs. Heimberger later scored on an error to put the Bulldogs ahead 5-1, and after Morgan Bell drove in Kayla Winkfield, the Bulldogs ended the fourth inning ahead 6-1.

The Bulldogs added another run in the bottom of the sixth to provide the final margin.

Holly Ward (3-0) went the distance for the complete game victory.  She struck out seven and only allowed five hits and one earned run.

Mississippi State returns to action on Friday in the Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile.  The Bulldogs open play against South Alabama at 5pm.