Allen collects three hits, drives in three RBIs and scores twice, Tepper earns first career win with two scoreless innings
STARKVILLE – There was offense a plenty on Wednesday (March 24) evening at Dudy Noble Field, as the No. 2 Mississippi State baseball program scored in each of the first six innings on its way to an 18-1 victory over North Alabama.
The Bulldogs (17-4) piled up all 18 runs over the first six innings, including a five-run second inning and four innings of three runs scored. The Lions (1-17) tallied a lone run in the eighth inning. State out-hit UNA, 14-6, and benefited from 10 walks in the game.
Eight different Diamond Dawgs chipped in on the 14-hit effort and 13 MSU batters reached base in the contest, led by junior Tanner Allen‘s 3-for-3 night at the plate with three RBIs. The quartet of Luke Hancock, Kamren James, Tanner Leggett and Kyte McDonald each chipped in two hits, with Hancock driving in three RBIs and Leggett scoring three times.
True freshman Mikey Tepper (1-0) made his first career start and tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Nine other pitchers saw the mound, with the group of 10 striking out 15 total batters and allowing just 10 base runners. Relievers Spencer Price and Drew Talley each pitched one inning and struck out three batters.
The 15 strikeouts mark the 16th time this season that MSU has fanned 10-or-more batters in a game and the one run allowed is the ninth time this season the pitching staff has allowed one-or-fewer runs in a game, including a nation’s leading five shutouts.
For North Alabama, Will Haberstock (0-3) took the loss with eight runs – seven earned – allowed in two innings of work. Leadoff hitter Drew Hudson had three hits and scored one run, while Devne Daniel drove in the lone RBI for the Lions.
Quotable
Head coach Chris Lemonis
On the importance of getting an early lead
CL: It’s nice. Our kids work so hard. From Tanner Allen to Kyte McDonald, who runs in there and hits two lasers again tonight. These kids deserve to play and being able to get out there and get a lot of guys on the field was huge.
On how he feels about his team entering the weekend
CL: We’re excited. This is the one that kind of got pulled away from us last year. We were supposed to open with Arkansas, but then [the pandemic] hit. The year before, we went to Arkansas and had a bad showing, so I know that a lot of the older players in the program are excited to play. They’re obviously very talented, well- coached, and it’ll be a great matchup all weekend.
Scoring Recap
Bottom First
Rowdey Jordan was hit-by-pitch and stole second before advancing to third on a Tanner Allen double to center field. Kamren James singled to plate two and Josh Hancock grounded out to score James.
Mississippi State 3, UNA 0
Bottom Second
Josh Hatcher walked to start the inning and advanced to third on Tanner Leggett‘s single up the middle. Brayland Skinner tripled to right center to score two with no outs. Allen singled to second base to bring one run in, and Hancock’s single added two more.
Mississippi State 8, UNA 0
Bottom Third
Lane Forsythe and Skinner were walked with two outs in the inning before Jordan was hit-by-pitch to load the bases. The trio advanced on a wild pitch which scored Forsythe. Allen’s single through the right side brought two around.
Mississippi State 11, UNA 0
Bottom Fourth
Hancock walked to start the inning before Leggett reached on a fielding error. Forsythe walked to load the bases and before a fielding error allowed the first run to score and a Drew McGowan walk scored the third run of the frame.
Mississippi State 14, UNA 0
Bottom Fifth
Kace Garner reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced on Leggett’s single up the middle. A Scotty Dubrule single scored one before Kyte McDonald‘s single brought two around.
Mississippi State 17, UNA 0
Bottom Sixth
McGowan singled to center field and advanced to second on a walk by Davis Meche. Hancock and Garner both reached on a fielding error which put McGowan out at home. Brandon Pimentel walked to plate one and cap the scoring for MSU.
Mississippi State 18, UNA 0
Top Eighth
Drew Hudson doubled to center field and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on Devne Daniel’s single.
Mississippi State 18, UNA 1
Up Next
Mississippi State and Arkansas will meet in a matchup of the top two teams in college baseball, as the No. 1 Razorbacks and No. 2 Diamond Dawgs kick off a three-game series on Friday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Dudy Noble Field.