Berkery's Five-RBI Game Powers State Past Kansas, 9-2
March 06, 2005 | Baseball
Bulldogs earn first sweep in NBC Classic
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Junior second baseman Thomas Berkery drove in a career-high five runs Sunday afternoon - three on Mississippi State's first home run of the season - as the Bulldogs (6-0) registered a 9-2 win over Kansas (13-8) in the final game of the fifth annual National Bank of Commerce Classic. A Dudy Noble Field crowd of 1,785 watched as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten for the year and for the first time won all of their games in the MSU-hosted classic.
Bulldogs earn first sweep in NBC Classic
Official Game Statistics
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Junior second baseman Thomas Berkery drove in a career-high five runs Sunday afternoon - three on Mississippi State's first home run of the season - as the Bulldogs (6-0) registered a 9-2 win over Kansas (13-8) in the final game of the fifth annual National Bank of Commerce Classic. A Dudy Noble Field crowd of 1,785 watched as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten for the year and for the first time won all of their games in the MSU-hosted classic.
"I really didn't think I would be the first (to homer this season)," Berkery said. "We had a good weekend. The pitching was solid and the defense played well. We really did a good job with timely hitting."
The Bulldogs enjoyed a big first inning in their second weekend meeting with KU. MSU scored four first-inning runs Saturday in a 5-0 win over the Jayhawks and on Sunday plated three runs on a pair of hits and the lone Kansas error of the weekend. Brad Jones laced an RBI single and Berkery drove in another run with a sacrifice fly. The inning might have even become larger had the Bulldogs not been charged with a batter's interference call.
Berkery hit a towering three-run home run to left center and Brian LaNinfa singled in a run as MSU stretched its lead to 7-1 in the third inning. The Bulldogs added two more scores in the fifth inning, while Kansas tallied one more score in the eighth inning.
"The first inning was big," MSU coach Ron Polk said. "We were able to put some things together there. That led to a nice afternoon. This was a good weekend for our ball club."
MSU finished with 10 hits. Again, it was a balanced attack with eight different MSU players contributing. Berkery was the lone multiple hitter. The MSU second baseman drove in his fifth run of the day with a fifth inning single, while freshman shortstop Bunky Kateon added his third double of the season to plate another run.
Sophomore righty Josh Johnson (1-0) worked the first six innings to garner the win. The former Caledonia, Miss., standout allowed six hits and one run (earned) with five strikeouts and a pair of walks. Eric Ebers, Jon Crosby and Brett Cleveland threw an inning apiece, combining to scatter nine hits.
"We like the start that we are having," Johnson said. "Baseball is all about confidence. We have been able to build some of that with strong start."
Kodiak Quick (4-1) lasted five innings and took the loss, allowing nine runs on eight hits (eight earned) with two walks and a strikeout. Don Czyz pitched three innings of scoreless relief with five strikeouts to finish the game for the Jayhawks.
MSU concludes its season-opening home stand with a pair of midweek contests. The Bulldogs host Louisiana Tech Tuesday (4 p.m.) and Jackson State Wednesday (4 p.m.) before embarking on a three-game series at the University of Arizona March 11-13.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 9, KANSAS 2
Kansas (13-8) 001 000 010 - 2-9-1 MSU (6-0) 304 020 00X - 9-10-0 WP - Josh Johnson (1-0). LP - Kodiak Quick (4-1).HR - Thomas Berkery (1). T - 2:19. ATT - 1,785 (5,837 paid).
