No. 1 MSU Strikes Early, Lea Pitches Six Innings In 9-2 Bulldog Win
March 29, 2006 | Baseball
* Official Statistics
* Official Statistics (PDF)
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Top-ranked Mississippi State scored six times in the first four innings and freshman starter Matt Lea allowed two runs (one earned) over six innings as the Bulldogs (21-1) posted a 9-2 win over Birmingham-Southern (13-10). The win completed a two-game series sweep of the Panthers, coached by former MSU assistant coach Brian Shoop.
"Lea was good today, though his command is not right now what it's going to be," said Bulldog skipper Ron Polk. "Brian Shoop's Birmingham-Southern teams are well-trained and find ways to put pressure on you."
Senior shortstop Thomas Berkery went 3-for-4 to lead the Bulldogs at the plate. He singled off BSC starter Mark Doll (2-2) and scored a run in the first inning, extending his SEC-co-leading and career-best hitting streak to 19 games and helping stake Lea to a 2-0 lead. Berkery singled in another run in the third as MSU expanded its lead to 4-1 and opened State's three-run seventh with a double off the center field wall.
Lea scattered six hits and worked out of a game-opening jam en route to a season-best six-inning mound performance. He yielded a leadoff single to Mark Goforth to open the game but then picked Goforth off at first base. Scott Billak followed with a single and Brandon Hynick was struck by a pitch. But Lea worked out of the jam when Blake Burton grounded into a double play.
Lea gave up a run in thje third when Goroth singled, advanced on an infield groundout and raced hom on Hynick's two-out single to right. Goforth drew an inning-opening walk to open the seventh and end Lea's stay in the game, and later scored on an overthrow to first base.
Sophomore mitch Moreland, in his first start in right field, went 2-for-2 with a double and junior catcher Wyn Diggs, in his first career start, delivered a two-run double off relief pitcher James Oliver in the seventh. Diggs registered his first career multi-hit game in Tuesday night's 5-4 win over the Panthers and in his first start Wednesday recorded his initial multi-RBI outing.
Lea walked four and struck out four in six-plus innings, while Mike Valentine and Jesse Carver combined for three scoreless no-hit innings of relief to close the game.
Mississippi State resumes SEC competition on the road this weekend, testing the 15th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in a three-game series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Friday's series-opener is set for 6:30 p.m.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 9, BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN 2
BSC 001 000 100 --- 2- 6-3MSU 202 200 30x --- 9-10-2
WP --- Matt Lea (4-0). LP -- Mark Doll (2-2). T --- 2:33. ATT: 3,054 (6,811 paid).
