STARKVILLE — The victories and the injuries continue to mount for the Mississippi State University baseball team.
MSU won its sixth straight Wednesday night with a come-from-behind 10-6 triumph against Penn State at Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs won for the seventh time after trailing in a game this season, and swept the two-game series, which was the first meeting between the programs.
After the game, the discussion wasn’t about defending a national ranking (MSU is No. 23) or about closing the season-opening 17-game homestand this weekend with three games against Mercer.
Instead, all thoughts were on center fielder C.T. Bradford and third baseman Daryl Norris. In the fifth inning, Bradford jammed his shoulder sliding into the second base trying to stretch a single into a double. In the seventh, Norris twisted his knee after fouling off a pitch.
“Those are two guys who are really playing at the height of their ability and two guys who are giving us a whole lot,” MSU coach John Cohen said. “It is a win, but it is an expensive win. It is disappointing those things happen, but you can’t control them.”
Already slowed by injuries to pitcher Ben Bracewell and outfielder Brent Brownlee, the news continues to get worse for the Bulldogs. Cohen said he and his staff will know more today about the extent of Bradford’s and Norris’ injuries.
“It really hurts, but you have to keep battling,” MSU shortstop Adam Frazier said. “We aren’t having a lot of luck, but we are finding a way. Hopefully, (Norris and Bradford) can get back because to continue doing what we are doing. We need them.”
The Bulldogs erased a 6-3 deficit with four runs in the seventh and three runs in the eighth. At 12-2, MSU is off to its best start since the 2006 squad won its first 18 games.
“I am really proud we found a way to win,” Cohen said. “When you have injuries, it can deflate a ballclub. They just said we’re not going to lose this game. The way we competed and found a way was pretty pleasing to me.”
The Bulldogs closed within 4-3 on a RBI single by Mitch Slauter in the sixth. Trailing 6-3 in the seventh, MSU capitalized on wildness and mixed in some timely hitting. Demarcus Henderson drew a leadoff walk. Two relievers walked the next three batters. One walk made it 6-4, while a wild pitch made it 6-5. A RBI single by Hunter Renfroe tied the game. Slauter followed with a routine pop up that was caught behind the first base bag. Brayden Jones turned it into the go-ahead run when nobody covered home.
In the eighth, Frazier’s two-run double capped his team-best eighth multi-hit game of the season.
Jacob Lindgren (1-0) threw 1 1/3 innings of relief. Will Cox started and allowed four runs on five hits through four at-bats. Brandon Woodruff followed and gave way in the seventh. Jonathan Holder, Lindgren, and Caleb Reed threw shutout relief the rest of the way.
“We have to find a way to get the offense in gear earlier in games,” Frazier said. “However, each time you win, there is more confidence. We believe somebody will step up and get the job done on any given night. That’s a good feeling.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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