:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63143030/IMG_20190227_200601.0.jpg)
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Senior right-hander Peyton Plumlee (1-0) fanned a career-high nine batters in six innings of work as the Diamond Dawgs blanked the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, 12-0, Wednesday night at Dudy Noble Field.
State wasted no time in taking control of this game, as the Dawgs scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. Senior Jake Mangum and sophomore Jordan Westburg began the inning with back-to-back singles. Mangum was then out trying to steal third base after a bit of confusion. Sophomore Tanner Allen was walked and senior Elijah MacNamee was hit by a pitch before sophomore Justin Foscue cleared the bases with a grand slam.
The Dawgs added a run to their lead in the second inning after junior Gunner Halter hit a leadoff home run to make it 5-0. It was Halter’s first home run as a member of MSU.
State saw its lead increase by two more runs in the fourth inning to make it 7-0. Sophomore Rowdey Jordan doubled and Halter drew a walk to put two runners on base before both runners moved up a base on a double-steal. Mangum then hit a two-RBI single to make it 7-0. MSU was blanked in the fifth inning, but after a short rain-delay, the Diamond Dawgs were able to add two more runs in the sixth inning. Westburg was the first base runner of the inning after being hit by a pitch. Allen then doubled before a wild pitch moved him up to third and scored Westburg. MacNamee’s sacrifice fly scored the final run of the inning to give MSU a 9-0 lead.
State added three more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for some extra insurance. Mangum drew a walk to leadoff the inning, Westburg followed with a single and freshman Brad Cumbest, who came in to pinch hit for MacNamee, drew a walk to load the bases. Mangum scored on a wild pitch before freshman Luke Hancock’s single scored Westburg and Cumbest to give the Dawgs a 12-0 win.
MSU allowed just two hits in the contest compared to the Dawgs’ 12 hits.
After getting six impressive innings on the mound from Plumlee, senior Jared Liebelt, redshirt-junior Jack Eagan and junior Colby White each threw one inning to keep the shutout in tact. Eagan struck out two batters and White struckout three.
Sophomore Trey Shaffer (0-1) threw 3 1⁄3 innings in the loss. He allowed seven runs, all earned, on six hits. He struck out three batters and walked three.
The Diamond Dawgs will now be on the road for the first time this season as they travel to Frisco, Texas to face Sam Houston State in the opening game of the Frisco Classic at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. CT on Friday.