MISSISSIPPI STATE — The fourth-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs opened their baseball season with a commanding 13-7 victory over Troy on Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs (4-0) scored four runs in the first inning and maintained the lead throughout the game, pounding out 16 hits.
Ace Reese led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 5-for-5 with a triple short of the cycle and driving in three runs. The team’s offensive surge started early, with James Nunnallee singling to open the bottom of the first and scoring on Aidan Teel’s RBI double. Vytas Valincius added a two-run single, and Gehrig Frei capped the inning with an RBI triple as MSU sent nine batters to the plate.
Mississippi State continued to add to its lead in the second inning, with Ryder Woodson doubling home a run and Reese hitting a two-run homer. Chone James launched his first career home run — a two-run shot — in the fifth inning, increasing the lead to 9-1. The Bulldogs extended their advantage in the sixth, with Reese doubling and scoring on a two-run double by Valincius. Freshman Jacob Parker contributed an RBI in his college debut, helping State build a 13-3 lead.
Starting pitcher Duke Stone worked four innings, allowing one run on one hit with six strikeouts. William Kirk earned the win in relief, striking out three over two innings. MSU used six pitchers overall to close out the game. Troy totaled 10 hits and committed two errors in the loss.
The Bulldogs remain at home Wednesday to face Alcorn State at 4 p.m., with the game streamed on SEC Network+. Troy (1-3) will face Caden Wade, a junior left-hander, though MSU has not announced its pitching plans for the game. Fans are encouraged to visit HailState.com for updates and can follow the team on social media under the handle ‘HailStateBB.’
