Hatcher Delivers Walk-off Hit in Bulldogs Win

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Junior Josh Hatcher delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the No. 12 Mississippi State baseball team a 5-4 walk-off win over the Quinnipiac Bobcats Saturday evening at Dudy Noble Field.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 9-4 and win the series. The Bobcats fall to 1-10.

MSU made it a 1-0 ballgame in the bottom of the fourth inning when Hatcher doubled, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on an RBI groundout from junior Justin Foscue.

The Bobcats then scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-1 lead. Senior Evan Vulgamore hit a one-out double to left center. Junior Ian Ostberg then singled to put runners on the corners. He then stole second. A flyout scored Vulgamore before Ostberg scored on a Bulldog error. Two more runs came in to score when sophomore Kyle Maves singled and an error allowed two runners to come home.

State then scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to pull back within a run. Hatcher reached on a fielder’s choice. He them made his way to third on a single by Foscue before scoring on a wild pitch.

In the seventh, freshman Kamren James came through with a clutch home run down the left field line to make it a 4-3 game.

After James popped out to start the ninth inning, the next five batters reached base. Junior Tanner Leggett was hit by a pitch, and freshman pinch hitter Mason Land and junior Rowdey Jordan walked to load the bases. Junior Jordan Westburg was hit by a pitch to push the game-tying run across before Hatcher’s infield single gave MSU the walk-off win.

As a team, the Bulldogs outhit the Bobcats 8-4. Hatcher led the team with three hits, while Foscue and James recorded two hits apiece. Foscue, Hatcher, James and Westburg all collected RBIs in the contest.

Freshman right-hander Will Bednar threw 5 ¹⁄₃ innings in his first career start, allowing one run on two hits. He struck out eight batters and walked two in the no decision.

Junior lefty Jared Shemper then faced one batter and allowed one run, while senior Riley Self allowed two unearned runs in one inning of work.

Freshman Landon Sims (1-0) earned the win after tossing the final three innings. He allowed just one baserunner, an eighth inning walk, as he struck out five batters.

Senior right-hander David Longstreeth (0-1) was charged with the Quinnipiac loss after allowing the final two runs of the game in one-third on an inning.

MSU will now look for the sweep on Sunday with a 1 p.m. CT first pitch.