Big Fourth Inning Leads Mississippi State Past Utah Valley

A four-run fourth inning, led by Rowdey Jordan’s three-run homer, pushed Mississippi State (10-6) past Utah Valley (5-9) in the series finale today. The Diamond Dawgs won the contest 5-3 and took the series two games to one.

Utah Valley took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning off an RBI single from Ryan Eastburn. The Wolverines held the one-run lead until the third inning. Tanner Allen doubled and scored Hunter Stovall.

The bottom of the fourth inning is where the Diamond Dawgs stole the show. Luke Alexander got things going by reaching first on a throwing error on Utah Valley’s third baseman, Paul Estrada. Alexander then stole second. With two outs, Dustin Skelton reached via walk. Jordan followed with a three-run homer, which gave MSU a 4-1 lead. State added one more run in the inning after Stovall batted in Jake Mangum.

The Wolverines cut into the lead in the sixth inning by adding two runs, but it wasn’t enough as the Diamond Dawgs held on for a 5-3 victory.

The Diamond Dawgs and Wolverines both had nine hits in the game. Stovall, Allen and Jordan each had two hits apiece for MSU.

Jacob Billingsley (2-0) earned the win for MSU. He threw five innings, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out four batters and walked one batter.

Denver McQuary, Cole Marsh, Zach Neff and JP France all came in relief. McQuary pitched one inning and allowed two runs. Marsh pitched 1.1 innings and Neff pitched ²⁄₃ of an inning. France pitched the ninth inning, while earning his first save on the year.

Walker Ramsey (1-3) was charged with the loss for Utah Valley. He pitched six innings, allowing five unearned runs on six hits.

The Diamond Dawgs will be back in action Wednesday, as they travel to Biloxi, Mississippi to face Southeastern Louisiana in a one-game contest.