Dawgs Power Past NKU, 10-1, To Even Series

Saturday, February 26

Starkville

2:00 PM

Mississippi State

3-3

Northern Kentucky

1-4

Northern Kentucky

Mississippi State

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) before the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State hat and sunglasses perched on a glove on the dugout railing before the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State fans before the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder/Outfielder Matt Corder (#14) before the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Luke Hancock (#20) warms his hands in the dugout before the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Tanner Leggett (#31) before the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - The Mississippi State Bulldogs during the National Anthem before the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Preston Johnson (#35) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Luke Hancock (#20) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Kamren James (#6) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Mikey Tepper (#39) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Brad Cumbest (#33) hits a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Landon Sims (#23), Mississippi State Pitcher Jackson Fristoe (#27), Mississippi State Infielder Tanner Leggett (#31) and Mississippi State Infielder Slate Alford (#24) in the dugout during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Luke Hancock (#20) celebrates a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State fans cheer during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Brad Cumbest (#33) shakes Assistant Coach Jake GautreauÕs hand after a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Brad Cumbest (#33) crosses home plate after a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Brad Cumbest (#33), Mississippi State Infielder Luke Hancock (#20), and Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) celebrate CumbestÕs home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State fans celebrate a home run hit by Mississippi State Outfielder Brad Cumbest (#33) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Brad Cumbest (#33) and Mississippi State Infielder Tanner Leggett (#31) celebrate a home run by Cumbest during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder/Outfielder Matt Corder (#14) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Lane Forsythe (#43) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State dance team during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Brad Cumbest (#33) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Drew McGowan (#8) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Preston Johnson (#35), Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19), Mississippi State Infielder Luke Hancock (#20), and Mississippi State Infielder Kamren James (#6) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State fans ring cowbells during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Austin Perryman

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Former Mississippi State Football Defensive Lineman Jeffery Simmons (#94) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Austin Perryman

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Kamren James (#6), Mississippi State Infielder Tanner Leggett (#31), Mississippi State Infielder Lane Forsythe (#43), and Mississippi State Infielder Luke Hancock (#20) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Pico Kohn (#9) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) hits a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) circles the bases after a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) fist bumps Assistant Coach Jake Gautreau after a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) crosses home plate after hitting a home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) and Mississippi State Infielder/Outfielder Matt Corder (#14) celebrate TannerÕs home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Austin Perryman

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Fans watch as Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) and Mississippi State Infielder/Outfielder Matt Corder (#14) celebrate TannerÕs home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Stone Simmons (#17) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Tanner Leggett (#31) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Outfielder Brayland Skinner (#36) during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Kamren James (#6) watches a home run clear the fence during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Infielder Kamren James (#6) and Mississippi State Infielder/Outfielder Matt Corder (#14) celebrate JamesÕs home run during the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Pico Kohn (#9) and Mississippi State Catcher Logan Tanner (#19) hug after the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE, MS - February 26, 2022 - Mississippi State Pitcher Drew Talley (#47) signs autographs after the game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium in Starkville, MS. Photo By Kevin Snyder

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Dawgs Power Past NKU, 10-1, To Even Series

February 26, 2022 | Baseball

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)Photo Gallery

The series finale is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday at Dudy Noble Field

By: Anna Claire Thomas, Associate Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Following a stellar pitching performance by Preston Johnson and a trio of home runs, Mississippi State (3-3) evened the series against Northern Kentucky (1-4) with a 10-1 victory over the Norse on Saturday (Feb. 26) at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.

Following the solo homer by NKU in the second, Johnson and MSU reliever Pico Kohn combined to hold the Norse hitless from that point until the eighth, allowing State's offense to put runs on the board.

Johnson (1-0) earned the win after allowing just one run on two hits and striking out five in 6.1 innings of work. Kohn came on in relief in the seventh and held NKU scoreless on two hits in the final 2.2 innings. NKU starter Ben Gerl (0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs – all earned – on five hits with six walks and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings.

Offensively, the Dawgs cranked out nine hits on the day with six of the base knocks coming from MSU's two-, three- and four-hole hitters. Kamren James, Luke Hancock, Logan Tanner and Brad Cumbest each had two hits apiece in the win, while Brayland Skinner came on as defensive replacement seventh and then singled in the eighth.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top Second

NKU took a 1-0 lead in the second on a solo home run by catcher Jayden Wakeham.

Mississippi State 0, Northern Kentucky 1

Bottom Third

MSU's offense answered the call in the third when Logan Tanner drove in a run on an RBI single before Brad Cumbest gave the Dawgs a 4-1 lead with a three-run home run to left.

Mississippi State 4, Northern Kentucky 1

Bottom Seventh

State plated four more runs in the seventh thanks to a two-run homer by Tanner, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Tanner Leggett.

Mississippi State 8, Northern Kentucky 1

Bottom Eighth

Kamren James capped off the scoring in the eighth with a two-run home run to left field that scored Brayland Skinner, who reached earlier in the frame on an infield single.

Mississippi State 10, Northern Kentucky 1

ON DECK

Mississippi State will take on Northern Kentucky in the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27, at Dudy Noble Field. The game will be aired on SEC Network+ and the Mississippi State Radio Network.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the baseball program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateBB' on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.