Dawgs Clinch Series Over No. 14 Auburn

Friday, April 15

Starkville

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

21-15, 0

#17 Auburn

23-12, 0

Auburn

Mississippi State

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Dawgs Clinch Series Over No. 14 Auburn

April 16, 2022 | Baseball

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State won by a score of 9-5 on a rainy evening at Dudy Noble Field

By: Drew Parsley & Lauryn Jones, Athletic Communications Student Assistants

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State (21-15, 6-8 SEC) took care of business Friday night (April 15) as they defeated No. 14 Auburn (23-12, 7-7 SEC) by a score of 9-5 on a rainy evening at Dudy Noble Field. The Diamond Dawgs combined for 14 hits in a game that saw a delayed start time and a 45-minute delay in the eighth due to inclement weather.

After taking a quick 2-0 lead early on, State couldn't crack on the scoreboard again until the bottom of the sixth, when RJ Yeager came up clutch for his squad with a two-run double to make it 4-0. State was able to just about secure their victory and series win with a five-spot put up in the seventh. Brad Cumbest and Kamren James both went yard with a three-run homer followed by a two-run shot that edged over the left field wall.

Auburn's offense was held in check by Preston Johnson who had a career performance. He recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts through seven innings pitched and allowed three earned runs on just four hits. KC Hunt made a relief appearance in the eighth and delivered by striking out three of the four batters he faced. Drew Talley also made an appearance on the mound.

Seven Bulldogs recorded base hits in the win and four of them recorded multi-hit performances. Brad Cumbest went 4-for-5 with a double, home run and three RBIs and Kamren James went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Slate Alford and Hunter Hines both went 2-for-4 in the win.

Scoring Summary

Bottom First

Kamren James singled up the middle then Luke Hancock advanced him to third with a one-out double. Logan Tanner hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score James and Hancock advanced to third. Hunter Hines hit a two-out RBI-single through the right side to score Hancock.

Auburn 0, Mississippi State 2

Bottom Sixth

Kellum Clark reaches base on a walk, then Brad Cumbest singles through the left side and Lane Forsythe draws a walk to load the bases with one out. RJ Yeager hits a two-RBI double down the left field line to score Clark and Cumbest; Forsythe advances to third.

Auburn 0, Mississippi State 4

Top Seventh

Brody Moore led off with a single, Bobby Peirce reaches first on a fielder's choice and Moore is out at second. Peirce advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Peirce scored on a sacrifice fly by Cole Foster.

Auburn 1, Mississippi State 4

Bottom Seventh

Hines got things started with a single down the right field line. Slate Alford singled through the left side and Hines advanced to second base. Brayland Skinner entered as a pitch runner for Alford. A passed ball was thrown that advanced Skinner to second base and Hines to third base. Cumbest hit a three-run home run to left field, scoring Hines and Skinner. Forsythe took a walk, Yeager advanced him to second with a groundout, then James hit a two-run home run to left field.

Auburn 1, Mississippi State 9

Top Eighth

Mike Bello reaches first on a walk and advances to second after Blake Rambusch is hit by a pitch. Kason Howell singled to left field to bring home Bello for an RBI; Rambusch advanced to third. Sonny Dichiara singled to left-center to bring home Rambusch for an RBI and Howell advanced to second. Brooks Carlson drew a walk to load the bases. Moore singled through the right side to score Howell for an RBI; Dichiara advanced to third and Carlson advanced to second. Foster hit an RBI single to shortstop that scored Dichiara; Moore advanced to second and Carlson to third.

Auburn 5, Mississippi State 9

ON DECK

Mississippi State and No. 14 Auburn will now conclude the series at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, in Starkville.