Mississippi State University’s baseball team, ranked fourth nationally, secured an 8–3 win over Lipscomb on Thursday night at Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs improved their record to 12-2 with the victory.
The game remained scoreless through five innings as both starting pitchers, Ryan McPherson for Mississippi State and Alexander Llinas for Lipscomb, limited offensive opportunities. McPherson struck out eight batters in his six-inning start.
Lipscomb took a brief lead in the top of the sixth inning when Blake Carter doubled to bring home Aaron Stelogeannis. Mississippi State responded quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Drew Wyers hit a solo home run to tie the game. Ace Reese followed with a double and Noah Sullivan singled before Gehrig Frei’s RBI single put Mississippi State ahead. A throwing error allowed two more runs to score, and Vytas Valincius added an RBI single to make it 5–1.
In the seventh inning, Wyers hit his second home run of the night, increasing Mississippi State’s lead. Lipscomb narrowed the deficit in the eighth with a two-run double by Damion Kenealy Jr., but Ryder Woodson countered with a solo home run for Mississippi State in the bottom of the inning. Bryce Chance also drove in another run after Gatlin Sanders stole a base.
McPherson earned his third win of the season by allowing one run on five hits and striking out eight over six innings. Maddox Webb and Ben Davis pitched in relief, with Davis securing his second save.
Offensively, Ace Reese led Mississippi State by going 3-for-4 with a double. Wyers finished 2-for-5 with two home runs and two RBIs. Woodson had two hits including a homer, while Chance contributed two hits and an RBI.
For Lipscomb (6-6), Stelogeannis recorded three hits and Kenealy Jr. had two RBIs.
The series continues Friday at 6 p.m., airing on SEC Network+. Collin Bosley-Smith is expected to start for Lipscomb while Mississippi State has not announced its starting pitcher.
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