STARKVILLE, MS — Mississippi State took a 4-1 win over East Carolina on Tuesday in a matchup of nationally-ranked teams at Dudy Noble Field.
Attendance was announced as 7,013.
The contest was moved from a 7 p.m. start to 4 p.m. to avoid colder temperatures although it was 41 degrees at the outset with a nine mile per hour breeze blowing across the field from the third base side.
The Bulldogs (11-1) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by Elijah MacNamee and never trailed.
The Pirates (8-5) pulled within 2-1 after a one-out walk to Thomas Francisco in the sixth. Turner Brown had a two-out double to right center that scored pinch runner Christian Jayne.
Gavin Williams (1-1) started and went five innings for the Pirates. He allowed four hits and two runs (both earned) while walking three and striking out two.
Trey Benton yielded an unearned run in one-third of an inning before Evan Voliva tossed the final two and one-third innings for the Pirates.
Keegan James (2-0) started for MSU, went two innings and was credited with the win. The sixth Bulldog pitcher, left-hander Cole Gordon, picked up his fourth save.
A third strike wild pitch and two of MSU’s four errors put runners at second and third for ECU with one out in the ninth. With two down and an 0-1 count on Bryant Packard, plate umpire Will Posey called a strike on a pitch that appeared to be below Packard’s knees. Pirates coach Cliff Godwin reacted and was ejected. He had plenty to say to Posey before exiting.
The Bulldogs had a 6-4 lead in hits. Lane Hoover, Packard (double) and Spencer Brickhouse each had hits for ECU in addition to Brown’s run scoring double.
The Pirates travel to No. 9 Ole Miss (9-2) for a 4 p.m. start today.
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