Mississippi State Baseball Explodes For an 11-6 Win Over Texas A&M

STARKVILLE, Miss. – After dropping the first game of the three-game Southeastern Conference series against Texas A&M 6-3 on Friday, the Diamond Dawg offense exploded for 11 runs, including a six-run third inning, as State won game two 11-6 Saturday night at Dudy Noble Field.

The Diamond Dawgs improved to 24-20 overall (9-11 SEC), while Texas A&M fell to 31-12 (10-10 SEC).

The game would remain scoreless until the third inning when the Diamond Dawgs busted the game wide-open with six runs in the frame.

Jake Mangum started things off with an infield single. Rowdey Jordan and Tanner Allen followed with singles of their own to load the bases. Luke Alexander batted Mangum for the first run with a ground ball fielder’s choice and an error scored Jordan. Hunter Stovall then hit a single. Justin Foscue then followed with a line drive double down the left field line to score Stovall and Alexander. Elijah MacNamee then hit an RBI-double of his own to plate Foscue. Marshall Gilbert’s RBI-single scored MacNamee for the sixth run of the inning.

The Diamond Dawgs increased the lead to 8-0 in the fourth inning after Mangum singled and Jordan doubled to start things. Mangum later scored on a ground ball by Allen and a bunt single from Stovalscored Jordan.

The Aggies scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning after Michael Helman hit a three run homer down the right field line to make the score 8-3. Texas A&M scored two more runs in the seventh inning to draw within three runs. Zach DeLoach doubled to score Cam Blake, while Braden Shewmake grounded into a double play, but scored DeLoach.

Despite the Aggie comeback attempt, the Dawgs scored three more runs in their half of the seventh. MacNamee led the inning off with a double to left, followed by a walk from Gilbert. Josh Hatcher then followed with a sac-bunt attempt, but an A&M error led to Hatcher reaching first and a MacNamee coming across to score. Mangum then doubled to score Gilbert and Hatcher scored the Dawgs’ 11th run on a wild pitch.

An MSU error in the ninth inning scored The Aggies sixth run, but the Diamond Dawgs secured the 11-6 win.

MSU’s hot offensive night was good for 15 hits. Mangum led the Dawgs with four hits, while Jordan and Stovall each added three hits. MacNamee finished with two hits. A&M finished with 11 hits. George Janca had three of A&M’s 11 hits.

The Diamond Dawgs git a good night on the mound from Ethan Small (5-3). He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs, all earned, on five hits. He fanned eight batters and walked two.

Keegan James came in relief and finished the sixth inning. Zach Neff then pitched the final three innings. Neff allowed three hits and one unearned run to earn his second save on the year. He struck out two batters and walked one.

John Doxakis (6-2) was charged with the loss for the Aggies. He pitched three innings, allowing six runs on eight hits to go with three strikeouts.

The series will conclude today with a 3:30 p.m. CT first pitch on SEC Network. The game will also be available for live viewing via WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app.