Brad Jones Drives In Four Runs In MSU's 9-3 Win Over UL-Monroe
April 12, 2005 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Brad Jones pounded out three hits and drove in four runsas Mississippi State defeated Louisiana-Monroe 9-3 in college baseballaction Tuesday night.
Jones, a junior first baseman from Orlando, Fla., fell a single shy of beingthe first MSU player in seven seasons to hit for the cycle. Brad Freeman wasthe last MSU player to accomplish that feat, doing it in 1998 against SouthAlabama.
A two-run triple by Jones highlighted a four-run first inning for MSU(21-8). Jones added an RBI double in the fourth inning as the Bulldogsbolted to a 7-0 advantage. In the sixth inning, Jones hit his third home runof the season - a solo shot over the extended wall in dead center field. Thecycle attempt fell shy thanks to a strikeout in the eighth inning in hisfifth and final at-bat of the night.
"It's kind of disappointing that you end with a strikeout," Jones said. "butall in all, it was a good night."
Such offense helped John Lalor (3-0) notch his third win of the season. Thelanky freshman from Germantown, Tenn.,allowed three hits over five inningsin his second career start. Lalor allowed two runs (none earned) and a pairof walks and struck out. Brooks Dunn, Brett Cleveland, Mike Valentine andSaunders Ramsey each threw an inning of relief for the Bulldogs.
Offensively, Jeffrey Rea joined Jones with three hits. Joseph Hunter hit hisfifth double of the season, finishing with two hits and two RBIs. Ed Easleyalso had multiple hits with a par of singles. MSU out-hit UL-Monroe 14-5.
"We really put the ball in play," MSU coach Ron Polk said. "It's good to getseveral players several at-bats. We are beginning to hit a critical stretchof the season."
Steve Lawler (1-2) worked the first three innings and took the loss for theIndians. Lawler allowed seven hits and five runs (all earned). JaredJennings, D.J. Fortenberry, Ladd Hall and James Stephens worked in relieffor the Indians.
MSU completes a five-game home stand Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. rematchwith Samford (9-21), which dropped a 12-6 decision to Auburn Tuesday nightin Birmingham. MSU defeated Samford 14-5 last Tuesday at Smith-Wills Stadiumin Jackson. Senior lefty Eric Ebers (0-0, 5.00) is due to draw his firststart of the season in Wednesday's matchup with Samford.
