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Diamond Dawg offense comes to life, seals series over Missouri State, 9-3

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•about 14 hours•

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noah sullivan2
Noah Sullivan (Photo by Mississippi State Athletics)

It took a few innings for Mississippi State’s offense to come alive, but the Diamond Dawgs found their offense on Saturday afternoon.

In the middle of a 1-1 ball game, State came through with two big hits in the fifth inning and broke the ice. The Diamond Dawgs added four runs over the final three innings and got shutout baseball from the bullpen for the series-clinching victory.

It was a game that saw the Bulldogs bring some players out of slumps. Notably, Ace Reese was able to deliver a couple of big hits in the game. After a 2-for-18 start to the year with six strikeouts, Reese came up big in the fifth inning when he delivered a bases clearing triple off the wall in centerfield.

“It definitely felt good to get it back going in the right direction,” Reese said. “I’m definitely coming back into myself and it’s about to get rolling pretty good. ”

That hit made for a healthy 5-1 lead after Reed Stallman had already delivered a pinch hit home run to leadoff the inning and break the tie. Reese finished the game 2-for-5 with the three runs driven in and it was his biggest hit of his very young Bulldog career.

State hitters, and pitchers come through in the clutch

The Diamond Dawgs had 11 hits in the game with two hits each from Bryce Chance also managing two hits in the game and adding an RBI and a double. Noah Sullivan led State with a 3-for-4 afternoon as he drove in a run on a double in the first inning. Dylan Cupp had a double in the game and walked twice.

Pitching for State did a good job of minimizing damage in the game despite not being extremely sharp. Five different pitchers threw and had issues at times from a control standpoint with nine walks and a hit batter. The unit did come through with 12 strikeouts and left 12 Bears on the bases in the game.

“Some of those guys like (Zack Stewart) we pitched around a little bit. I get more frustrated with the bottom half and (Justin Parker) probably does too,” Lemonis said. “You give them credit, but I thought Dylan Cupp made some nice plays to get us out of some of those jams. Should be a little more focused. When you see Karson pitch, you’re going to see a little more walks, but everyone else it’s a little uncharacteristic.”

Karson Ligon started the game and lasted just 3.0 innings as the senior RHP threw 66 pitches and struggled with command. Ligon gave up two hits with an unearned run and walked three batters while hitting another – he struck out three.

Freshman Ryan McPherson earned his first win as a Bulldog and gave up one hit and three walks with zero runs while striking out four. The Bulldogs also got an inning each from Ben Davis, Nate Williams and Mikhai Grant.  

“It felt great. I know that I have a really good defensive team behind me so I have confidence in my pitches,” McPherson said of his win. “You can’t put too much pressure on yourself. I struggled some in the fall but when I came back from winter break I decided to have more fun.”

The Diamond Dawgs (5-1) will look to get their second sweep in as many weekends as they play game three on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Stone Simmons takes the hill in his second start back after two full seasons on the shelf.

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