Mississippi State Drops Midweek Contest With McNeese State

LAKE CHARLES, La. — 10 hits weren’t enough for the Diamond Dawgs as Mississippi State fell to McNeese State 6-3 on Wednesday.

MSU trailed early after a double by the Cowboys made it a 2-0 ballgame.

The Diamond Dawgs came roaring back in the second inning after Dustin Skelton brought home Justin Foscue and Tanner Allen, who both reached on singles.

Damage was done in the bottom of the fourth as McNeese State blasted a two-run home run to take a 4-2 lead.

The Cowboy lead was extended by one in the bottom of the sixth inning after a triple led to a steal at home. The Diamond Dawgs trailed 5-2 after six frames.

MSU put up a fight in the top of the eighth inning with a pair of singles from Foscue and Allen, followed by pinch hit walk by Alex Penner that loaded the Bases. With the bases loaded, Luke Alexander drew a four pitch walk to cut the deficit to 5-3.

McNeese hit a solo homer in the eighth inning to secure a 6-3 game-ending lead.

Keegan James (0-1) was charged with the loss after coming in for starting pitcher Jared Liebelt, who was pulled in the first inning. James pitched 5.1 innings and struck out seven batters. He allowed three runs, all earned, and walked two batters.

Tyler Wesley (1-1) earned the win for McNeese State. He pitched five innings and struck out five batters. He allowed two runs, both earned, and walked no batters.

Mississippi State will be back in action Friday as they begin the Shriner’s College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Diamond Dawgs will face UL-Lafayette, Houston and Sam Houston State on Friday.