Mississippi State Opens Season With 3-game Sweep

MSU opened the baseball season last Friday with a 3 game series against Murray State, who was 0-2 entering the weekend. Sophomore pitcher Aaron Weatherford started the first game and racked up a career high 11 strikeouts in 6 innings of work. Chad Crosswhite, Ricky Bowen, and Jesse Carver all threw pitches with Crosswhite striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced and earning the save. Senior designated hitter Brian LaNinfa connected on 4 hits and had 4 RBIs in what was a 16 hit performance by MSU. Edward Easley, Jeff Flagg, Turner, and Sneed all had multiple hit days in the 10-5 victory.

The bats were hot again on Saturday in what would be a 13-1 victory for the Bulldogs. 22 hits was the final count with two run home runs coming from Flagg, Connor Powers, and Easley. Junior pitcher Justin Pigott got the start and went 7 innings. He struck out 4, scattered 4 hits, and allowed only one earned run. Last year he led the SEC with a 1.66 ERA and looks to be ready to keep up that pace this season. Freshman Greg Houston pitched the 8th and retired his three batters. Mitch Moreland came out for the 9th and struck out 3 while walking one.

Sunday would prove to be more difficult as Mississippi State would have to come back in order to gain the 17-9 win. Senior Josh Johnson started at pitcher and struggled mightily. He pitched just 3 innings striking out 5 but giving up 6 hits and a 4 run 3rd. John Lalor relieved him but didn't do too much better, surrendering a 3-run home run in the 4th which gave Murray State a 7-0 lead. Then the floodgates opened. The Bulldogs got 1, 3, and 3 runs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings respectively to tie the game at 7-7. Murray State would get 2 more runs and 4 hits in the 7th off of John Lalor and then Ricky Bowen when he came in as relief. An 8 run 7th inning sealed the game for Miss. State with Flagg bringing in the go ahead run.

To be frank, Murray State isn't all that good so don't be looking to take to much from the weekend. Preliminary reports are that hitting will be improved from last year and Mississippi State has two quality starting pitchers in Pigott and Weatherford. After those two things appear to get dicey though.