A couple of first inning runs gave the Mississippi State baseball program an early lead but host Long Beach State chipped away and eventually grabbed a 6-2 victory in the series finale at Blair Field on Sunday (March 1).
“Today was a tough, hard-nosed game,” MSU coach Chris Lemonis said in a news release. “Long Beach State really pitched and played defense today. After the way we swung the bat yesterday and the way it was going [in the first inning], I thought we might get on track early today, but you have to tip your hat to their guys for battling back.”
After Mississippi State (7-4) took an early lead with two runs in the first, Long Beach State (8-3) scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to tie the game. A pair of unearned runs in the fourth inning gave the Dirtbags the lead, before single runs in the seventh and eighth innings accounted for the final margin of the series finale.
Freshman Logan Tanner produced the only multi-hit game of the day for MSU, going 2-for-3, while freshman Kamren James drove in both RBIs for the Maroon and White. Juniors Justin Foscue, Josh Hatcher and Rowdey Jordan, and sophomore Brandon Pimentel each collected hits for MSU, as well.
Sophomore Eric Cerantola (1-1) went five innings in the start and allowed four runs – two earned – on eight hits. He struck out four and walked two in his first loss of the season. Freshman Landon Sims allowed two runs on two hits in 2 2/3 innings of work, before senior Spencer Price recorded the final out of the game for MSU.
Leonard Jones led Long Beach State at the plate with a 3-for-5 day. Jones scored twice and drove in two RBIs, while Conner Kokx also drove in two RBIs with a pair of hits. Starting pitcher Luis Ramirez (2-0) struck out four in seven innings of work. He allowed just two runs on seven hits and walked three.
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