No. 4 Mississippi State beats Lipscomb to secure series victory

Mississippi State, ranked No. 4 nationally, won its second consecutive game against Lipscomb on Friday night at Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs scored six runs in the second inning and never relinquished their lead, winning 9-4.

The Bulldogs (13-2) capitalized on patience at the plate, collecting 11 hits and drawing eight walks. They opened the scoring with a two-run homer by Jacob Parker after Ryder Woodson drew a walk. A wild pitch and a three-run shot by Noah Sullivan further extended the lead in the second inning.

Lipscomb responded in the third, with Hutson Miles doubling home a run and Aaron Stelogeannis adding an RBI single. Despite the Bisons’ rally, Mississippi State’s pitching staff kept them at bay. Starter Tomas Valincius pitched four innings, striking out six and allowing two runs on four hits.

The Bulldogs’ bullpen took over, with Tyler Pitzer earning the win after two scoreless innings and four strikeouts. The team added to its lead in the sixth, with RBI singles from Noah Sullivan and Gehrig Frei. Lipscomb chipped away late, with Keaton Mahan hitting a solo home run in the seventh and a fielding error allowing another run in the eighth.

Sullivan led the offensive effort, going 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs. Frei and Andrew Raymond each contributed two hits. Lipscomb finished with nine hits but struck out 14 times against Mississippi State pitching. The Bulldogs aim for a third-straight weekend sweep Saturday at 10 a.m., sending Duke Stone to the mound against Lipscomb’s Jackson Lee.

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