Mississippi State followed its formula on Friday night in Starkville, getting great pitching and timely hitting to take game one of the highly anticipated showdown with Ole Miss 5-2 in front of 10,291 fans.
Super Start to #SBW21#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/g3bZGraWOh
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) April 17, 2021
The two rivals battled to a standstill through five innings, with the Bulldogs striking first in the first, a Kam James single bringing in Tanner Allen. Ole Miss would score an run in the top of the third, with a Peyton Chatangier infield single being misplayed and scoring Cael Baker. The Rebels grabbed a lead in the top of the fourth on a TJ McCants solo home run, which James answered with a bomb of his own deep into the Left Field Lounge.
KJ6 ties it 💣 pic.twitter.com/ZcsOeXlbfi
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) April 17, 2021
State would regain the lead for good in the sixth, with Allen ripping a triple into left center, and James bringing him in with a sacrifice fly. The Bulldogs would tack on two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, with Rowdey Jordan scoring Scotty Dubrule with a single, then James with another sac fly scoring Jordan for his 4th RBI of the game.
Back in front 🙌
TA triple 👉 KJ6 sac fly pic.twitter.com/AyQu4TxgTc
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) April 17, 2021
Christian MacLeod was solid but not spectacular, going five innings for the maroon and white, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks. Preston Johnson, who struggled a week ago at Auburn, was very effective in middle relief, striking out 4 batters in 2 scoreless innings. Landon Sims shut the door on the Rebels with a six out save, his fourth of the season.
The final out from Starkville. Mississippi State takes game one from Ole Miss 5-2. pic.twitter.com/bPPWaSpz0d
— SportsTalk Mississippi (@SportsTalkMiss) April 17, 2021
State improves to 26-7 on the season, 9-4 in the SEC, now sitting on 9 straight wins, 7 straight in conference play. The Bulldogs will look to take the series tomorrow with Will Bednar on the mound, first pitch at Dudy Noble is scheduled for 2 PM.
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics
