Dubrule and James each collect multi-hit games, Allen moves hitting streak to seven games
STARKVILLE – The game-tying run stood on deck in the ninth inning, but No. 2 Mississippi State baseball couldn’t get him to the plate in a 9-5 loss to Kent State on Saturday (March 6) at Dudy Noble Field.
The Diamond Dawgs cranked out 10 hits and walked four times but stranded seven runners and hit into two double plays. The Golden Flashes belted out 13 hits and had at least one runner on base in seven of the nine innings.
At the plate, Luke Hancock moved his reached base streak to 11 games with a pair of walks and Tanner Allen pushed his hitting streak to seven games with a base hit. Scotty Dubrule and Kamren James both chipped in two hits. James scored twice, while Dubrule scored one run and plated an RBI. Kyte McDonald saw his first collegiate playing time and doubled to drive in two runs in the ninth inning.
Seven Mississippi State (7-3) pitchers saw time on the mound, with starting pitcher Eric Cerantola (0-1) taking the loss with four runs allowed in three innings of work. He allowed five hits, walked four and struck out four. In all, the seven pitchers struck out 11 Kent State (4-3) hitters for MSU’s eighth double-digit strikeout game of the season.
Luke Albright (2-1) scattered five hits and four walks over his 6 2/3 innings of work to earn the victory for Kent State. He allowed one run and struck out four. Jack Zimmerman allowed four runs on five hits over 2 1/3 innings of work to close out the victory for KSU.
Quotable
Head coach Chris Lemonis
On if he thinks guys are trying too hard early in games to avoid the slow starts
CL: I think a little bit. I don’t think anybody on our team wants to start bad, it’s just what’s happening, and it feels like every game it’s the same story. The coming back at the end is because our kids won’t quit. They just won’t quit. They’re going to keep playing and we have an offense that hasn’t clicked on all cylinders, but we chew up the game. If you look up, the pitch count is getting high, so we’re getting into bullpens and making guys stretch out. One reason we swing better late is just because we’ve stretched somebody out, but we need to play better early [in games] and I think our guys will always think they’re in it as long as they’ve got outs left on the board.
Scoring Recap
Top Second
Justin Miknis walked before Justin Kirby’s single to right field and Mack Timbrook was hit-by-pitch, loading the bases. Michael McNamara’s single to shortstop scored Miknis and a walk for Cam Touchette scored Kirby.
Kent State 2, Mississippi State 0
Bottom Third
Kamren James doubled down the left field line to start the inning before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Landon Jordan. A single through the right side by Rowdey Jordan scored James with one out.
Kent State 2, Mississippi State 1
Top Fourth
Collin Mathews hit a solo home run to start the inning. Kevin Dobos then singled to center field and stole second before McNamara walked and Touchette singled to load the bases. Ben Carew singled through the left side to plate the second run of the inning.
Kent State 4, Mississippi State 1
Top Fifth
Timbrook singled to center field before Mathews doubled through the left side. Both scored on McNamara’s double through the left side and a single from Carew pushed another KSU run across.
Kent State 7, Mississippi State 1
Bottom Eighth
Scotty Dubrule doubled through the left side to start the inning and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Dubrule scored on a ground out to third by Tanner Allen.
Kent State 7, Mississippi State 2
Top Ninth
A Timbrook single to start off the inning was followed by a base hit to right field by Dobos. The duo scored thanks to an error on McNamara’s fielder’s choice.
Kent State 9, Mississippi State 2
Bottom Ninth
Like they have so many times in 2021, State mounted a comeback bid in the ninth withJames’ single to shortstop getting it started. A single through the left side for Tanner Leggett followed and pinch hitter Kyte McDonald doubled through the left side to score two for MSU. A single by Dubrule scored McDonald with two outs.
Kent State 9, Mississippi State 5
Up Next
The series finale between Mississippi State and Kent State will begin at Noon CT.