BILOXI, Miss. — Mississippi State (15-2) erased a late five-run deficit with an explosive seven-run seventh inning to defeat Tulane (9-8) by a final score of 11-7 on Tuesday at Keesler Federal Park.
Scoring Highlights The Green Wave struck first in the top of the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead when Jason Wachs delivered an RBI single to score Kaikea Harrison, followed by a sacrifice fly from Nolan Nawrocki that brought home Tanner Chun. Mississippi State immediately responded in the bottom half of the frame when Noah Sullivan ripped an RBI double to right-center to score Drew Wyers, and Reed Stallman followed with an RBI single to bring Noah Sullivan home, tying the game at 2-2.
The Green Wave reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning via a two-run home run to right field by Nate Johnson that also scored Jack Johnson. Tulane extended their advantage to 7-2 in the top of the seventh behind an RBI double from Tye Wood to score Jason Wachs, an RBI single by Matthias Haas to score Tye Wood, and a double steal that allowed Matthias Haas to steal home while Jack Johnson took second.
Facing a 7-2 deficit, the Bulldogs erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded, Ace Reese launched a game-tying grand slam to left-center field, bringing home Drew Wyers, Vytas Valincius, and Chone James. The rally continued as Reed Stallman delivered a go-ahead RBI single to score Noah Sullivan. Gehrig Frei then lined an RBI double down the third-base line to score Reed Stallman, and Chone James capped the frame with an RBI single through the right side to score Gehrig Frei, giving Mississippi State a 9-7 lead.
Mississippi State added two insurance runs in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly from Drew Wyers that scored Bryce Chance, and an RBI single to center field by Gehrig Frei that brought home pinch-runner Peter Mershon.
Pitching Highlights Mississippi State reliever Dane Burns earned the win (1-0), recording the final out of the seventh inning with a strikeout to stop the Tulane rally. Relievers Chris Billingsley and Ben Davis slammed the door shut by pitching perfect eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Mississippi State starter Charlie Foster pitched the first 2.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts.
Tulane reliever Tom Vincent took the loss (1-1) after allowing two runs (one earned) in the decisive seventh inning.
(Disclaimer: This recap was created with AI assistance, and edited for accuracy by the webmaster.)