Diamond Dawgs Fall In Series Finale At Southern Mississippi

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Mississippi State lost game three in the series finale against Southern Mississippi 5-2.

The Golden Eagles got on the board first with a two-run second inning making it a 2-0 ball game with an RBI single from Gabe Montenegro and a bases loaded walk.

The Diamond Dawgs tied the game in the third inning after Jake Mangum was hit by a pitch and reached home after three straight walks and Tanner Allen was hit by a pitch sending the game tying run across home plate.

The Golden Eagles pulled away in the fifth inning by scoring three runs led by a two-RBI double by Luke Reynolds. An MSU error gave the Golden Eagles three runs for the inning and pushed the lead to 5-2.

Starting pitcher Jacob Billingsley pitched four innings for the Diamond Dawgs, allowing two earned runs on four hits. He had three strikeouts and walked two batters.

Zach Neff (0-1) surrendered the final three runs and was charged with the loss. He struck out two batters and allowed two hits.

Jacob Weirich (1-0) earned the win for the Golden Eagles after coming in relief. He pitched 2.2 innings, allowed no hits and struck out three batters.

The Diamond Dawgs will continue their 12-game road swing to open the season on Wednesday against Jackson State at Robert Braddy Field with a 6 p.m. first pitch.