Mississippi State Powers Its Way Past The 'Breds

Saturday, February 24

Starkville, Miss.

2:00 p.m.

Murray State

Mississippi State

2/24/2007 6:00:00 AM | Baseball

Host Mississippi State used 22 hits -- including seven for extra bases and three home runs -- to muscle its way past the Thoroughbreds 13-1 on Saturday.

Murray State sophomore catcher Daniel Miller had a co=team-high three assists in the game, with two of those comingon pickoffs and one on a double play.

The Bulldogs (2-0) opened the scoring with three runs in the second inning, but the 'Breds responded.

In the top of the fourth, senior designated hitter Jason Payton hit a one-out infield single, went to second when right fielder Chad Allen walked, went to third when first baseman Andrew Cella was hit by a pitch and scored on a groundout to put Murray State on the scoreboard.

Mississippi State tacked on four runs in the bottom of the inning, five runs in the sixth and one in the eighth.

Murray State was led by Payton, who went 3-for-3 with a run scored. Defensively, Cella had a co-game-high nine putouts, while Miller and pitcher Brad Rowland had three assists each.

Mississippi State was led by Edward Easley, who went 4-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Connor Powers had a home run and a double, while Jeff Flagg had a home run, Mitch Moreland had two doubles and Cade Hoggard had a double. Defensively, first baseman Moreland had nine putouts, while second baseman Jeffrey Rea had four assists.

On the mound, Rowland (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven runs on 11 hits, striking out three and walking two in 3-2/3 innings. Jon Newton came on in the fourth, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out one and walking one in 1-1/3 innings. Marc Harmon entered in the sixth, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits, walking one in one inning. Bryan Baldini closed out the game for the 'Breds, allowing one unearned run on five hits and striking out one in two innings.

For the Bulldogs, Justin Pigott (1-0) got the win, allowing one run on four hits, striking out four and walking one in seven innings. Greg Houston came on in the eighth, allowing no hits and striking out one in one inning. Moreland closed out the game, allowing no hits, striking out three and walking one in one inning.

Murray State closes out its three-game series at Mississippi State with a game on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.