Mississippi State made it five wins in a row with a 5-4 comeback win over No. 18 Ole Miss in Oxford on Friday. Head coach Brian O’Connor’s squad trailed 4-3 entering the ninth inning, but started the series with a win thanks to some clutch hitting in the top half and a ruthless closeout job by Tyler Pitzer on a chilly, windy night at Swayze Park.
The Bulldogs (22-4, 5-2 SEC) got the start that they needed from Charlie Foster, going 4.2 innings with just a solo shot going against him. He finished with three strikeouts and allowed just two hits, setting the stage for a bullpen finish with brief appearances from Jack Gleason, Maddox Webb, Dane Burns, Ben Davis and Tyler Pitzer.
The Bulldogs batters finally got going in the sixth inning with RBI hits from Ace Reese, Noah Sullivan and Ryder Woodson. The bases were loaded with an opportunity to score even more, but Ole Miss reliever Taylor Rabe began a lengthy stay on the mound with a clutch job to get out of the jam and give the Rebels a chance to rally.
Davis would get into trouble in the seventh inning, allowing two runners aboard before Austin Fawley launched a three-run home run just over the left-field fence, and just inside the foul pole at that. Bryce Chance had eyes on the drive, but couldn’t get in reach to make the snag as the Rebels retook the lead.
MSU needed a response and got it in the ninth inning. Ryder Woodson and Bryce Chance both got into scoring position, and Woodson crossed home plate to tie the game on a groundout by Jacob Parker. The Bulldogs had the go-ahead run 90 feet from home with just one gone, and Chone James got him home with a drive into right that bounced through Tristan Bissetta and allowed the catcher to gallop all the way to third. With a 5-4 lead, the Bulldogs had a chance to add even more, but James was thrown out at the plate on an infield chopper. Ace Reese went down swinging for the final out, and it came down to Pitzer to close out the one-run win.
The Bulldog reliever faced the middle of the Ole Miss order, striking out Collin Reuter and Will Furniss, and forcing quick groundout by Daniel Pacella to wrap up the comeback win.
The teams will meet again in Game Two on Saturday
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
