Man, what a way to open a season. Mississippi State (1-0) used a seven run second inning to pull away from the Portland Pilots (0-1) en route to a 16-1 victory tonight in the season opener for both teams.
Sophomore Jacob Lindgren, State's opening day starter, gave up a back to back hits in the second inning, allowing the Pilots' only run on a sac fly following that. But after that, Lindgren settled in, scattering five hits total over his six innings of work while striking out three Pilots. Lindgren's night was followed by appearances from freshman Preston Brown, freshman Myles Gentry, and senior Chad Girodo, who combined for six strikeouts while giving up no hits to seal Lindgren's win. Both freshmen were impressive in their first games in maroon and white.
Offensively, State performed like a team in mid-season form, stringing together hits and putting together big innings to seal up the win early. In the second inning, 1B Wes Rea blasted a HR to right field in his first at-bat of the season. CF C.T. Bradford added a HR as well, proving the power the talented junior can possess when he's healthy. There were countless other Bulldogs who had great nights at the plate in the opener, including Adam Frazier (3-4, 1 RBI), Mitch Slauter (4-6, 2 RBI), Daryl Norris (3-3), and Trey Porter (2-4, 2 RBI), among many others.
On the Portland side of things, starter Matt McCallister lasted just 1 1/3 innings, giving up nine earned runs. Hello high 70's ERA!
The Bulldogs and Pilots will go at it again tomorrow in a single game. Remember, State fans, tomorrow's originally scheduled double header has been shifted to a double header on Sunday due to chilly weather rolling through tomorrow. Tomorrow's game starts at 2p.m., and junior Evan Mitchell will get the not for State. Portland will throw ace Travis Radke against the maroon and white tomorrow.
3 Recap Reads
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Final: No. 5 MSU 16, Portland 1 - Brad Locke
- Video: John Cohen, C.T. Bradford, Wes Rea, Jacob Lindgren react after 16-1 win - Brandon Marcello
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More video reactions following State's 16-1 win - HailState.com
Box Score
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs | Hits | Errors | |
Portland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
#5 MSU | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | X | 16 | 21 | 0 |
Tidbits
- Tonight's win was MSU's 999th all-time at Dudy Noble Field. With a win tomorrow, the Bulldogs will have 1,000 wins at home in its history,
- Mississippi State won its season opener for the 10th straight season.
- The 21 hits was the most by State since the March 26, 2011 Auburn game (via Matt Stevens)
- 12 Bulldogs registered hits on the night. 18 Dogs got an at-bat. 5 Bulldogs had multiple RBI games.
- State played two Canadians tonight -- freshmen Kyle Hann and Jacob Robson. That's pretty cool, hoser.
- Newcomers Nick Flair, Derrick Armstrong, and Brett Pirtle all collected their first career hits in maroon and white.
- State allowed just five hits total to the Pilots, and the three relievers following Lindgren -- Preston Brown, Myles Gentry, and Chad Girodo -- combined for 0 hits, 6 K's, and only 1 walk.
- Last season MSU led the SEC in double plays with 72. The Bulldogs turned three tonight. If they keep that pace, they'll turn 168 in the regular season! Okay, that's probably not gonna happen.