STARKVILLE – Mississippi State baseball completed a series sweep of Delaware at Dudy Noble Field on Sunday, improving to 8-0 on the season with a 7-3 win over the Fighting Blue Hens.

Starting pitcher Charlie Foster wasn’t able to go deep into the game, but a strong bullpen day helped the Bulldogs overcome an early deficit.

Foster was able to get out of the first inning with three strikeouts, but got into a jam in the second. The Blue Hens got some luck with a fielding error at shortstop by Ryder Woodson, and two unearned runs got home on a single up the middle by center fielder Sal Mineo.

Duke Stone came out of the bullpen in relief and powered through the Delaware lineup, throwing four innings and striking out six to post four zeros on the board.

The Bulldogs got going offensively in the third inning, loading up the bases and getting two runs home with an RBI hit from Ace Reese and a walk by Noah Sullivan. There was a chance to keep the rally going and take the lead, but a rare 1-2-3 double play unfolded on a hit right back to the pitcher.

MSU would get in front in the next inning on a fielder’s choice and a sac fly, then added another on an error tracking a fly ball in the sun and wind, which led to a fifth run in the sixth inning.

Maddox Webb came out of the bullpen to relieve Duke Stone at the top of the seventh inning, getting one strikeout and posting another zero before Ben Davis came on for the eighth inning.

Parker Rhodes arrived in the ninth to complete the game,  but got into trouble and forced another change with just one out and one earned run to cut the lead. Tyler Pitzer took the mound with two runners on base and a 7-3 lead. He popped up the first batter for the second out before loading the bases with a walk.

Noah Burroughs came to the plate as the tying run for the Hens, but went down swinging against Pitzer.

MSU returns to action against Austin Peay at The Dude on Tuesday at 4 p.m., and will travel to Arlington, Texas, for the Amegy Bank Series beginning next Friday against Arizona State at Globe Life Field.