STARKVILLE — Offensive struggles have become the norm for the Mississippi State baseball team. On Wednesday, the Bulldogs won in spite of them.
MSU used two hits to build a one-run lead through seven innings. It added four more runs in the eighth to earn a 5-0 victory against Southern at Dudy Noble Field.
The victory helped MSU (15-15) end a slide of four losses in its last five games and set the stage for a three-game, Southeastern Conference series against Ole Miss this weekend.
Players who aren’t normally on the field triggered MSU’s rally in the eighth. Outfielder Jordan Anderson had one start and six at-bats before Wednesday’s game. His single opened the scoring in the eighth. Marshall
Gilbert, a catcher who has started 12 of MSU’s 30 games, also had a single in the uprising.
“I thought that was great, and I also thought the at-bats from (center fielder) Jake (Mangum) and (shortstop) Luke (Alexander) were tremendous,” MSU interim coach Gary Henderson said. “The 15 pitches between the two of them were really good.”
After singles by Gilbert and Anderson, Mangum worked a full count before getting hit with a pitch. Alexander followed with a walk. A wild pitch then scored pinch runner Tanner Poole. Alexander’s walk set up freshman first baseman Tanner Allen’s single that scored the final run.
“We’re used to being on the road,” Mangum said of returning home following a seven-game road trip. “Where we play shouldn’t matter that much. It’s good to be home, get in the swing of things again.”
Eight pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout. Denver McQuary started and Riley Self (1-0) earned the win for his perfect 1 1/3 innings. He struck out three, including one with the bases loaded to end the third.
“I was really pleased to see Denver McQuary go out and throw his slider for strikes, looked like was under control and in command of the strike zone,” Henderson said.
McQuary threw 14 of 19 pitches for strikes.
“Riley Self was as good as he’s been this year, kind of looked like the Riley Self of last year,” Henderson said. “It was really good to see him back. Really pleased with the fact we got out of two or three jams that could have changed the complexion of the game early but made some pitches when they had guys on base.”
Wednesday was the end of a week-long absence for Self and Keegan James, who also pitched an inning. Henderson said there was no “hidden meaning” to James not pitching last weekend against LSU, while Self is still building strength from his shoulder surgery over the winter.
Henderson also praised Jared Liebelt, who 1 2/3 innings. He especially liked Liebelt’s ability to locate pitches in the bottom half of the strike zone.
MSU should have all of its pitchers available this weekend for the series against No. 3 Ole Miss (26-4, 7-3 SEC). Game 1 will be 6:30 p.m. Friday.
“Mid-week games are tough to get up for. SEC weekends take a toll on your body,” Mangum said. “It was a good win, and now everybody knows what this weekend is. That’s all that matters.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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