STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs opened their NCAA Tournament run with a decisive 10-1 victory over the Lipscomb Bisons on Friday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field. Backed by a dominant pitching performance and a late offensive surge, the Bulldogs secured their spot in the winner’s bracket of the Starkville Regional.
After three scoreless innings, Mississippi State broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fourth. Right fielder Jacob Parker delivered the game-winning hit with an RBI single through the right side, scoring third baseman Ace Reese. First baseman Reed Stallman immediately followed with a two-run single up the middle, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 3-0.
Mississippi State added to its advantage in the sixth when Parker launched a solo home run down the right-field line. The game unraveled for Lipscomb in the seventh inning as the Bulldogs exploded for five runs. Parker drew a bases-loaded RBI walk, left fielder Vytas Valincius drove in two runs with a double to right-center, and catcher Kevin Milewski capped the frame with a two-run single to left-center. Second baseman Gehrig Frei added a final insurance run for Mississippi State with a solo home run to center field in the eighth.
Lipscomb scored its lone run in the top of the ninth inning when designated hitter Blake Carter hit an RBI single down the left-field line, bringing home third baseman Cam Pruitt.
Jacob Parker paced the Bulldogs’ offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Vytas Valincius finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. For Lipscomb, Cam Pruitt led the way, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. (Note: Postgame quotes from players and coaches were not available in the official book).
On the mound, Mississippi State starting pitcher Duke Stone (7-3) earned the win with a spectacular outing. Stone threw 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out 10 batters and issuing zero walks. Lipscomb starter A. Llinas (6-5) took the loss, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits over 6.0 innings of work. There was no save recorded in the contest.
The game was played in front of 10,470 fans under partly cloudy skies with temperatures at 83 degrees. First pitch was at 1:07 p.m., and the game lasted 2 hours and 41 minutes.
Following the result, Mississippi State improves to 41-17 overall and advances in the winner’s bracket of the regional tournament. Lipscomb falls to 29-25 overall and drops into the elimination bracket. The Bulldogs’ next game is Saturday night at 8 PM versus number 2 seed Cincinnati in a winners bracket game.
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