Bulldogs Unable To Hold Early Lead As Ole Miss Rallies For 8-3 Win

Wednesday, April 1

Madison, Miss.

6:30 PM

Mississippi State

17-17

Ole Miss

16-18

Mississippi State

Ole Miss

Bulldogs Unable To Hold Early Lead As Ole Miss Rallies For 8-3 Win

April 01, 2009 | Softball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

? Official Statistics
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MADISON, Miss. - Mississippi State could not maintain an early three-run lead, falling to in-state rival Ole Miss 8-3 in the 7th annual M&F Bank Fastpitch Softball Classic.

A crowd of 1,137 watched the annual non-conference game between the in-state rivals played at Liberty Park. Ole Miss has now won four of the past five meetings in this annual get-together.

The Bulldogs (17-17) grabbed a 3-0 lead by scoring three times in the second inning. Ali Bainbridge, who continued her recent hot streak with a 2-for-3 outing, began the inning with a base hit. Jessie Bailey reached on a fielder's choice, and Jessie Spain followed with a sacrifice bunt. Courtney Moore followed with a two-run double to left field that scored Bainbridge and Bailey to put the Bulldogs up 2-0. A groundout by Brittany Gates scored Moore for the last run of the inning.

"We jumped out to a really good start, but we've had trouble holding leads all season. We never adjusted when they put (Becky) Nye in the game," MState head coach Jay Miller said. "We didn't play well in all three phases of the game, and that makes it tough to win games."

The Rebels (16-18) ralled with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and then four additional scores in the sixth inning.

Lauren Grill, who collected three hits in four at-bats in the contest, homered to begin the Ole Miss scoring. After a hit batsman and infield error, Alyssa McGovern brought home another run with a sacrifce fly.

In the fifth inning, Grill hit her eighth home run of the season and second round-tripper of the game. The two-run blast gave the Rebels the lead for good at 4-3.

An inning later, after two straight outs, the Rebels reeled off six straight hits to put the contest out of reach. Courtnie Ghinaudo had a two-run triple, while Corrine Doornberg and Lisa Conchos had RBI-singles in the at-bat.

For MSU, starting pitcher Kelsey Nurnberg worked four innings, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned), with one strikout and a pair of walks. Lindsey Dunlap (9-10) finished the contest and took the loss.

Dunlap was touched for eight hits in two innings of work, while allowing six runs (all earned).

Becky Nye (11-11) picked up the win, working five innings in relief of starter Kelly Chanlder. Nye allowed only one hit and struck out five batters in her five innings of work.

State returns to Southeastern Conference play this weekend, traveling to Gainesville, Fla., for a three-game set with the top-ranked Florida Gators. The series gets underway with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. CDT on Saturday. Sunday's series finale is also set for a 12 p.m. first pitch.