:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66321990/IMG_20200216_154545.0.jpg)
STARKVILLE, Miss. — The No. 9 Mississippi State baseball team (3-0) completed its first series sweep of the 2020 season after topping the Wright State Raiders (0-3), 5-1, Sunday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field.
State scored two runs in the first inning and three in the third inning, while Wright State scored its lone run in the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, junior Rowdey Jordan led off with a single up the middle. Junior Jordan Westburg followed with a double to to put runners of second and third. Junior Josh Hatcher’s sacrifice fly scored one run before a groundout scored another run to put MSU up 2-0 after one inning.
After a scoreless second inning, Jordan led off with a double to right. Westburg’s single up the middle scored him to make it a 3-0 lead for MSU. Westburg then moved up to second on a balk and junior Justin Foscue drew a walk. A successful double steal then moved Westburg and Foscue up to third and second base. Kamren James brought them home with a two-RBI single to extend the Bulldog lead to 5-0.
The Raiders got on the board in the fifth inning after redshirt junior Damon Dues tripled and scored on an RBI from redshirt junior Quincy Hamilton, but that was all, as the Bulldogs concluded the series with a 5-1 win.
The Bulldogs managed seven hits in the game and got two hits apiece from Jordan and Westburg.
Sophomore right-hander Eric Cerantola (1-0) earned the win after tossing four scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, struck out eight batters and walked three.
Senior Riley Self, freshman Landon Sims, junior Jaxen Forrester, junior Jared Shemper and graduate Spencer Price all pitched an inning in relief.
Redshirt senior Austin Cline (0-1) was charged with the loss for the Raiders. He allowed five runs—all earned—on six hits in three innings. He struck out three batters and walked one.
MSU will be back in action Tuesday when it hosts Samford at Dudy Noble. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. CT and can be watched via SEC Network+.