Diamond Dawgs Storm Past Jackson State, 17-4

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The No. 9 Mississippi State baseball team’s offense erupted for 17 runs on 12 hits to capture a 17-4 midweek win over the Jackson State Tigers Tuesday evening at Dudy Noble Field.

With the win, MSU improves to 7-1 on the season. Jackson State drops to 2-6.

MSU scored five runs in the third inning, four runs in the sixth inning and eight runs in the seventh inning in the win.

The ballgame was scoreless until the third inning when the Dawgs batted around and scored five runs in the inning to take a 5-0 lead. Senior Marshall Gilbert got the inning going with a solo home run to left center. Freshman Landon Jordan and senior Jake Mangum followed with a single and double, respectively. Sophomore Jordan Westburg then hit an RBI-groundout to score Jordan. Mangum then stole third base before scoring on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Tanner Allen. Sophomore Justin Foscue’s two-run home run capped off the five-run frame.

The score remained the same until the Jackson State put up three runs in the top of the sixth inning to make it 5-3. Junior Equon Smith reached second after a Diamond Dawg error, before back-to-back singles by juniors Wesley Reyes and Jaylyn Williams scored him. after a batter was hit by a pitch, senior Raul Hernandez’s single scored Reyes. Williams was then plated after a Tiger groundout.

The Diamond Dawgs responded with four runs in their half of the sixth to increase the lead to six runs at 9-3. Sophomore Rowdey Jordan and Gilbert began the MSU inning with back-to-back singles. L. Jordan then scored Jordan on a fielder's choice. Mangum and Westburg then followed with back-to-back doubles to score a pair of runs. The MSU four-run frame concluded with Westburg stealing third and scoring on a throwing error.

The Dawgs broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning when they put eight runs on the board on one hit and three errors to take a 17-3 lead.

Sophomore Josh Hatcher came in to pinch hit and drew a walk. Jordan followed with a single. He then stole second. Gilbert was then walked to load the bases before back-to-back walks scored a pair of runs. An error then scored Gilbert. Allen followed with a groundout-RBI and an error and wild pitch scored two more runs. The inning ended after a pair of runs scored on a dropped flyball by the Tiger second baseman.

A wild pitch gave the Tigers a run in the ninth, but a strikeout ended the game as the Dawgs captured the 17-4 midweek win.

Freshman right-hander Eric Cerantola earned his first career win, improving to 1-0 on the season, after firing three innings. The right-hander allowed no runs on two hits, walked none and struck out two.

Freshman left-hander Bryce Brock was the first pitcher to enter in relief for the Dawgs and threw two innings, allowing three runs, one earned, on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Freshman Brandon Smith and redshirt-junior Tyler Spring threw a combined three scoreless innings. Redshirt-junior Spencer Price pitched the ninth inning and allowed one run on one hit. He struck out two batters.

Junior Mario Lopez (0-2) got the start on mound for Jackson State and was charged with the loss. He allowed five runs—all earned—on five hits. He walked a batter and was unable to garner any strikeouts.

The Diamond Dawgs will be back in action Wednesday when they host Southeastern Louisiana at Dudy Noble Field. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. CT and will be televised by SEC Network.