Bulldogs Sweep Privateers 5-1, 8-4 To Wrap Up Home Stand
March 22, 2005 | Baseball
Official Game 2 Statistics
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Joseph Hunter laced a two-run double and Thomas Berkery added a two-run home run in the fifth inning Wednesday powering No. 17 Mississippi State (15-3, 2-1 SEC) to an 8-4 win over the University of New Orleans (4-15). The win nailed down a doubleheader sweep for the Bulldogs, who scored four unearned runs in the seventh inning to take a 5-1 win over UNO in the opener. That contest was the completion of a Tuesday night game suspended by rain in the fourth inning with the game tied at 1-1.
The Bulldogs (15-3, 2-1 SEC) concluded their seven-game home stand with a 6-1 mark and improved to 14-1 at Dudy Noble Field this season. UNO fell to 4-15 with the pair of defeats.
"We had some timely hits today," MSU coach Ron Polk said. "Our pitchers battled and the defense made the plays. We have picked up some nice midweek victories this season. Now, the key is to build on that momentum this weekend."
Berkery, who caught the first game and started at third base in the nightcap, enjoyed a productive day at the plate, going 5-for-7 with five RBI, a double and a home run.
Mississippi State opens SEC road competition this weekend with a three-game series at fifth-ranked Arkansas. The Bulldogs and Razorbacks play at 6:35 p.m. Friday, 3:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday in Fayetteville. All three games will be carried on the MSU Radio Network and may also be heard at www.mstateathletics.com.
MSU erased a 4-3 deficit in Wednesday's second game by scoring five fifth-inning runs. Hunter delivered a double to center field to give MSU a 5-4 advantage. The MSU center fielder had a single in the third inning to run his career-best hitting streak to 14 games. Hunter, from germantown, Tenn., leads the team with a .433 average.
State matched a season-high with six extra-base hits. In the fifth inning burst, Brian LaNinfa roped an RBI double and Thomas Berkery hit a towering two-run home run into left field. It was the second home run of the year for Berkery.
MSU grabbed a 3-0 lead with three runs in the second inning. Berkery also had an RBI double in that frame. Bunky Kateon added a double, while Jeffrey Rea legged out an RBI triple.
The Privateers answered with four runs in the fourth inning. MSU starter Josh Johnson was touched for a pair of home runs in that frame. Mike Costantine hit a solo shot for the Privateers¹ first run. After Johnson walked Paul Smythe, T.J. Baxter followed with an RBI double. UNO then claimed a 4-3 lead on a two-run shot by Miles Cabeceiras.
Johnson (2-0) worked his way through the fifth and sixth innings to earn the win. In those six innings, the sophomore from Caledonia, Miss., allowed five hits and four runs (all earned) with three strikeouts and one walk. Starkville freshman Jesse Carver, junior righthander Brett Cleveland and senior relief ace Saunders Ramsey each threw a scoreless inning in relief.
The Bulldogs pounded out 12 hits, three by Berkery who also drove in three runs. Hunter, Rea and Brad Corley each had multiple hits.
Baxter had three of UNO's six hits. Starting pitcher Martin Vergara (0-4) worked into the fifth inning and took the loss for UNO.
"The top four hitters had six hits," Polk said. "Again, we had two big innings. I like the big inning capabilities of this ball club. We have done a good job of putting things together."
Four seventh-inning runs proved the difference in MSU¹s 5-1 win in the opener. Jeff Butts started things with a one-out walk. Brad Corley reached on a fielder's choice with both he and Butts being safe because of a throwing error. Joseph Hunter drew an intentional walk to load the bases. Brad Jones then drew a walk, forcing in the go-ahead run. Brian LaNinfa followed with a run-scoring infield groundout. And when the Privateers replaced pitcher Daniel Rodriguez with Grant Birely, Birely was greeted by a two-run single by Thomas Berkery to close out the game's scoring.
The Bulldogs drew seven walks and collected six hits but stranded 10 base runners. Hunter had a double in the third inning to extend his hit streak to 13 games. Berkery was the lone MSU player with multiple hits.
John Lalor (2-0) pitched 4 1/3 innings to pick up the win. Lalor allowed three hits and no runs. He struck out seven and walked one, working in relief of starter Brooks Dunn, who threw three innings and matched a career-high with five strikeouts on Tuesday night. Mike Valentine entered with one out in the eighth inning and completed the contest for the Bulldogs.
For UNO, Rodriguez (1-2) worked 3 2/3 innings and took the loss. Rodriguez allowed two hits and all four unearned runs in the deciding seventh inning. He struck out a pair and walked four batters. Michael Jones started and worked three innings on Tuesday night. Birely finished the contest on the mound for the Privateers.
Mike Costantine had two of UNO's six hits in the contest.
MSU 5, New Orleans 1 (Game 1)
UNO (4-14) 100 000 000 -- 1-6-3MSU (14-3) 001 000 40x -- 5-6-1
WP-John Lalor (2-0). LP-Daniel Rodriguez (1-2). 2B-Matt Rogers (1); Joseph Hunter (3). T-2:41. A-1,163 (5,727 paid).
MSU 8, New Orleans 4 (Game 2)
UNO (4-15) 000 400 000 -- 4-6-0MSU (15-3) 030 050 00x -- 8-12-1
WP-Josh Johnson (2-0). LP-Martin Vergara (0-4). 2B-T.J. Baxter 2 (2); Joseph Hunter (4), Brian LaNinfa (6), Thomas Berkery (4), Bunky Kateon (5). 3B-Jeffrey Rea (2). HR-Mike Costantine (1), Miles Cabeceiras (1); Thomas Berkery (2). T-2:24. A-1,103 (5,793 paid).
