Tennessee Holds Off State 12-9 For Game 2 Victory

Saturday, April 26

Starkville

2:00 p.m.

Mississippi State

17-26, 0

Tennessee

25-18, 0

Tennessee

Mississippi State

Diamond Dogs Host Georgia In Super Bulldog Weekend Series

Tennessee Holds Off State 12-9 For Game 2 Victory

April 26, 2008 | Baseball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

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STARKVILLE, Miss. - A Mississippi State comeback fell short Saturday afternoon, as the Bulldogs rallied late, before falling 12-9 to Tennessee in Southeastern Conference baseball action at Dudy Noble Field.

Tennessee broke open a tight game with seven runs in the top of the seventh inning. MSU rallied from down 12-3, by scoring five runs in the seventh inning and scoring once in the eighth inning.

The Volunteers improved to 25-18 overall and 11-9 in conference play, while the Bulldogs fell to 17-26 and 5-15.

Tennessee struck early Saturday, homering twice in the opening inning. Josh Liles (5th of season) and Kentrail Davis (9th) hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning. The Vols extended the lead to 5-0, thanks in part to two runs coming home on an infield error. Danny Lima and Cody Grisham had consecutive singles before the two-out misplay in the infield.

The Bulldogs answered right back with two runs in the home half of the second inning. Cody Freeman drew a leadoff walk in that -bat, with Tyler Moore following with a single. A potential double play ball was mishandled by the UT infield, allowing a pair of runs to score, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

In the fourth inning, Moore hit a towering fly ball, easily clearing the left field fence for his ninth home run of the season. That round-tripper cut the UT lead to 5-3.

In the seventh inning, Grisham started the big UT uprising with a single. A tight strike zone ended Bowen's day on the mound as the Vols walked three times over a four at-bat stretch. The bases-loaded walk to Yan Gomes ended the day for both Bowen and MSU head coach Ron Polk, who was ejected by home plate umpire. Danny Everett. Jeff Lockwood greeted new pitcher Andy Wilson with a sacrifice-fly. After a hit batsman re-loaded the bases, Cody Brown unloaded the bases with a three-run double. An RBI-double by Lima and RBI-single by Grisham capped the seventh inning for the guests.

The Bulldogs then got their hacks, scoring five times in their half of the seventh inning. Back-to-back hit batsmen started the inning. A ground ball resulted in no outs and loaded the bases. A bases-loaded walk to Mark Goforth forced in one run. Freeman followed with a three-run double to right center field. An RBI-single by Jason Nappi capped that inning.

The Maroon and White threatened again in the eighth inning but could only plate one run. In the ninth inning, Moore ripped a leadoff double but he was stranded at third base.

MSU finished with nine hits and turned four double plays on defense. Hogue extended his hit streak to 11 games. Moore led the Bulldogs with three hits, while Hogue and Nappi had multiple hits. Freeman drove in three runs for the third time this season.

Tennessee finished with 11 hits. Grisham paced the Volunteers with three hits, while Lima had two hits. Brown drove in three runs, while Lima had two runs.

Bowen (2-5) threw 119 pitches in 6-1/3 innings of work, while taking the loss. Bowen allowed seven hits and nine runs (seven earned), with six walks and two strikeouts. Wilson threw 2-2/3 innings in relief, allowing four hits and three runs (all earned), with two walks and one strikeout.

Winning pitcher Bryan Morgado (5-2) threw six innings, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned), with three walks and eight strikeouts. D.J. Leffler did not record an out while facing three batters in relief. Steve Crnkovich completed the seventh inning for the Vols. Jeff Lockwood worked the final two innings, allowing three hits and one run (earned), with one walk and one strikeout.

The Bulldogs and Volunteers complete their series with a 1:30 p.m. start Sunday. MSU is scheduled to start senior left-hander Justin Pigott (2-1, 4.28 ERA), while UT is scheduled to start junior right-handed pitcher Ty'Relle Harris (0-0, 5.29).