Official Box Score
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Shortstop Russ Sneed hit the first pitch off reliever James Dunning over the left field wall to give Mississippi State a 7-6 11-inning victory over South Alabama Wednesday night at Dudy Noble Field. The Jaguars led 5-0 after two innings, but three errors led to five unearned runs for the Bulldogs.
South Alabama (13-11) parlayed four hits into five runs in the second. A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases before Russell Harben hit a 2-1 pitch up the middle to open the scoring. After a pitching change, Jake Overstreet hit a sacrifice fly to right field to make the score 2-0. An infield single by Ray Kruml plated the third run, while Clint Toomey singled to left for a 4-0 lead. David Doss capped the rally with another sacrifice fly.
Mississippi State (10-13) answered back in the third thanks to a two-out error. Jaguar starter Kevin Nabors retired the first two batters before a double put a runner in scoring position. Cody Freeman hit a sharp grounder to Overstreet, but the third baseman was unable to make a play, allowing a big inning for the Bulldogs. Two walks and two singles led to four unearned runs before reliever Lance Baxter was able to retire the side.
The Jaguars added a run in the fourth for a 6-4 lead. Harben doubled to start the frame, then went to third when Overstreet reached first on a perfect sacrifice attempt. One out later, Kruml singled to bring home Harben for the two-run advantage.
The Bulldogs were able to even the game with solo runs in the seventh and eighth. Back-to-back singles and a hit-batsmen led to a Jeff Flagg sacrifice fly that made the score 6-5, while another error in the eighth allowed the tying run to score. Miles Ethridge walked the only batter he faced on four pitches to start the frame. Closer Greg Johnson came on and got two quick strikes, but walked his first opponent to put runners on first and second. The Bulldogs were willing to sacrifice, but Doss’ attempt to first sailed down the line and the game was tied at 6.
Johnson bore down after an intentional walk, getting an infield popup and come-backer to strand the bases loaded.
South Alabama threatened in the ninth, getting a lead-off double from Sean Laird, but three straight strikeouts ended the inning.
Baxter was the most effective pitcher in the contest, allowing just one run and four hits in 4.1 innings, while Travis Johnson threw two scoreless innings in relief. Dunning (1-1) took the loss, while Chad Crosswhite (1-1) earned the win after striking out the side in the top of the 11th.
Toomey finished the game 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Kruml, Harben and Sean Laird each had two hits.
South Alabama returns to Sun Belt Conference play this weekend against Arkansas State. First pitch at Stanky Field on Friday is set for 6 p.m.
