Two Home Runs By Collins Propel MSU To 7-3 Win Versus South Alabama

Tuesday, March 8

Starkville

6:30 PM

Mississippi State

9-3-1

South Alabama

9-4

South Alabama

Mississippi State

Two Home Runs By Collins Propel MSU To 7-3 Win Versus South Alabama

March 09, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Gavin Collins' pair of home runs helped lift the No. 21 Mississippi State baseball team to a 7-3 win over South Alabama Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field.

South Alabama (9-4) bunched together its only three hits of the contest during a three-run third inning. From there, MSU (9-3-1) did the rest of the scoring as a bevy of pitchers kept the opposing team in check.

“We had a good look at our pitching staff tonight,” MSU head coach John Cohen said. “These young arms are getting excited out there. They just need to work on their velocity. Offensively, Gavin Collins really came through for us with a great night.”

After being held hitless over the first three innings, the Maroon and White finally broke through in the fourth inning.

Nathaniel Lowe singled with two outs. Gavin Collins followed with the first of his two home runs with a towering shot to left field.

In the sixth inning, Cody Brown and Jack Kruger each drew one-out walks for the Bulldogs. Brent Rooker followed with a pinch-hit two-run double down the left field line for a 4-3 lead for the Bulldogs.

In the seventh inning, Reid Humphreys had a hit and later scored on an infield single by Jacob Robson.

An inning later, Cole Gordon singled and scored on Collins' third home run of the season. The Bulldogs now have eight home runs as a team.

Ironically, South Alabama built its early lead thanks in part to a two-run home run by Jared Barnes.

MSU finished with seven hits. Collins had the only multiple-hit night and joined Kruger as the only Bulldogs to have a four-RBI night at the plate.

On the mound, Kale Breaux threw the first two innings for the Bulldogs. Breaux allowed no hits, while walking two and striking out two. Noah Hughes, Ryan Cyr, Konnor Pilkington, Ryan Rigby, Ethan Small, Zac Houston and Blake Smith followed in relief.

Small (1-0) worked 2 1/3 innings to get the win.

MSU welcomes Pac-12 foe Oregon to Dudy Noble Field this weekend. The Bulldogs and Ducks meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. All three games will be available on SEC Network +.