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Diamond Dawgs get a measure of revenge in 18-3 run-rule over No. 20 Southern Miss

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•about 12 hours•

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noah sullivan2
Noah Sullivan (Photo by Mississippi State Athletics)

While the bats were silent in the first meeting between the two teams, Mississippi State came alive offensively against No. 20 Southern Miss on Wednesday.

State returned the favor from its 3-0 loss in Hattiesburg in February as the Diamond Dawgs dominated USM pitching in a 18-3 victory. It was a much-needed win for a State team coming off of three tough losses the week prior.

“(Chris Lemonis) talked about it every day since we’ve lost to them. We know that we’re a better team,” outfielder Nolan Stevens said. “The last time we went to their place and they got the best of us. Our team hasn’t forgotten about it. We were ready.”

After being shut out in the first matchup with just four hits, the Bulldogs had 18 runs and 20 hits. State had four hits and two runs in the first inning alone as Bryce Chance homered and Hunter Hines came through with a two-out single.

The Golden Eagles got a run in the second and third inning but the Diamond Dawgs battled back. State got two more runs in the third with solo homers from Noah Sullivan and Nolan Stevens to make it 4-2. In the fourth, State scored four runs with no outs.

The scoring wouldn’t stop from there. State put up four more runs with two outs in the fifth inning with Ace Reese doubling in a run, Noah Sullivan singling in another and then Stevens hitting another homer with a two-run shot to make it 12-3.

State would put USM away in the bottom of the sixth as the Bulldogs scored six runs.

Eight of the nine starters had hits for State (8-4) and a total of 10 players registered a base knock. Sullivan was a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI and a home run. Ace Reese and Nolan Stevens had three hits a piece with Reese driving in four runs with a double and his sixth home run of the season.

Stevens hit two long balls and drove in three RBI as he’s now up to four homers on the year.

Chance, Hines and Dylan Cupp all had two hits with Chance hitting a home run. Hines returned to the starting lineup and drove in two runs.

On the mound, the Bulldogs got a shaky start from Jacob Pruitt. After a dominant midweek start against Troy last week, Pruitt threw 3.2 innings, gave up three hits, three runs and three walks and struck out two batters.

“I thought he was competitive,” Lemonis said of Pruitt. “When you’re a breaking ball guy, tonight can be tough. I didn’t feel like he landed the off speed as well as he did last week, but we’re trying to build up his volume too and get him to a four or five inning guy. I thought he competed, just had a hard time finding that slider.”

Chase Hungate and Evan Siary pitched the final 3.1 innings and combined to hold USM scoreless.

The Diamond Dawgs are now set for the final non-conference series of the year as they host Queens this weekend. Game one is Friday at 6 p.m. with game two Saturday at 2 p.m. and the finale on Sunday at 1 p.m.

“We’re good, we’ve just got to play better,” Lemonis said. “I think this is a step in the right direction. We have a week and a half here before we get to SEC play that we can build some confidence and momentum.”

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