STARKVILLE — Plate discipline wasn’t an issue for Mississippi State on Saturday.
Control from the lively arms of Oregon State’s pitchers was a different story.
The Beavers issued 11 free passes to MSU hitters, leading to a healthy amount of runs in the Bulldogs’ 7-4 victory at Dudy Noble Field in front of 12,034 fans, the largest MSU attendance in February in program history.
“Tip your hat to our fans,” MSU coach Chris Lemonis said. “Especially for February.”
With the win, MSU (5-0) has already taken the series and will go for the sweep in the finale Sunday.
MSU starter Christian MacLeod took the mound one week after his collegiate debut, a five-inning, 11-strikeout performance, and turned in another solid outing. The 6-foot-4 left hander picked up the win, tossing five innings of two-run ball while striking out seven batters.
“I wanted to go out there and establish three pitches,” MacLeod said. “I was focusing on the mitt, trying to throw strikes, get hitters out and get into the dugout so we can swing the sticks.”
On the other hand, Oregon State (2-4) starting pitcher Jake Pfennigs struggled with his command early and never found it. He walked the first two batters he faced, setting the stage for Brandon Pimentel. Fresh off a go-ahead home run in the series opener, Pimentel continued to come up big in the clutch and made Pfennings pay for his free passes after he laced a two-out RBI single to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead.
“We did a better job of competing today,” Lemonis said. “I think our guys stepped up to the challenge a little bit.”
Pfennings only lasted 1 2/3 innings, walking five and hitting a batter, with four earned runs charged to his line. The righty ended up walking in two runs in the bottom of the second and saw his team staring at a 4-0 deficit.
OSU picked up two runs in the fourth, but Josh Hatcher erased that momentum with a homer to left field in the bottom frame, giving his team a 5-2 lead.
“We had a better plan and approach today,” Hatcher said … “The wind’s been tricky here, so when (I connected with the pitch), I didn’t really watch it, I just ran.”
The Bulldogs picked up another run in the inning after Tanner Allen was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded after he pinch hit for Drew McGowan. It was Allen’s first appearance since MSU’s season opener, and he was replaced by Bryce Brock after he reached base.
Logan Tanner added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI single, giving MSU a 7-2 lead.
Will Bednar gave the Bulldogs three scoreless innings in relief, striking out five batters while allowing one hit and walking two batters.
“He’s got really good stuff, and every time we’ve run him out there, he’s gotten better each time,” Lemonis said. “I’d still like to cut out a couple walks. So that’s a little bit of a focus, but he’s got some elite stuff.”
OSU’s Alex McGarry launched a two-run homer in the ninth inning off reliever Chase Patrick to reduce MSU’s lead to 7-4, but Patrick buckled down and closed out the contest.
MSU closes its series against Oregon State at 1 p.m. Sunday at Dudy Noble Field.
“Taking two out of three in the series is pretty good, but obviously getting the sweep is what we’re going for,” Hatcher said.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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