Mississippi State Baseball Drops Game Two Of Nashville Super Regional

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Diamond Dawgs won game one of the Super Regional 10-8 with a two-run walk-off home run from Elijah MacNamee on Friday, and the second game of the series ended in walk-off fashion as well, but this time in Vanderbilt’s favor.

J.J. Bleday hit a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to lead Vanderbilt to a 4-3 victory in the second game of the Nashville Super Regional played at Hawkins Field.

MSU (36-27) and Vanderbilt (35-26) will play today at 5 p.m. with the winner having the right to advance to a Saturday game at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Diamond Dawgs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning after Justin Foscue drew a walk and Luke Alexander singled. Dustin Skelton then hit a sac-bunt, and Jake Mangum followed with a two-run single.

Vanderbilt got one of those uns back in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI-single by Stephen Scott to make it 2-1.

State then increased the lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning when Alexander singled and scored on a double by Jordan Westburg.

The Commodores drew within a single un in the bottom of the sixth inning when Pat DeMarco reached via a fielder’s choice and later scored after a pair of Vandy singles to make it 3-2.

Harrison Ray hit a one-out triple in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Ethan Paul’s single plated him to tie the game 3-3 before winning the game in the bottom of the ninth off of Bleday’s solo walk-off homer.

Vanderbilt held the hits advantage 13-9. Alexander had three of the hits, while Mangum and Rowdey Jordan each had two hits.

Konnor Pilkington got the strat on the mound for MSU. He pitched five innings, allowing two runs, both earned, on eight hits. He struck out si batters and walked two.

Keegan James then came in relief and got two outs in the sixth inning before giving way to Zach Neff. Neff got a big strikeout as the Vandy left the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

Neff (3-3) was charged with the loss while pitching 2.2 innings. He allowed two runs, both earned, on three hits. He added four strikeouts to his night.

Chandler Day (2-1) earned the win for Vanderbilt after pitching the ninth inning.

State will look to punch its ticket to Omaha, Nebraska with a win in game three today. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT on ESPN.