Mississippi State
1-1
VMI
1-1
Dawgs Fall in Offensive Slugfest
February 18, 2023 | Baseball
Ledbetter went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer and drove in six
Starkville – In front of a top 30 crowd in Dudy Noble Field's history in terms of attendance, the Mississippi State Bulldogs dropped a high-scoring affair against VMI, 14-13. The Dawgs pounded out 17 hits in the contest, and Colton Ledbetter drove in a season-high six runs.
The offense was driven by huge days from Ledbetter and Bryce Chance. Ledbetter went 4-for-5 at the plate, driving in an impressive six RBIs and a two-run home run. Ledbetter had a huge first inning as he drove in five runs in the frame. Chance had another offensive showcase going 3-for-4 on the day with four RBIs.
Luke Hancock and Amani Larry both had solid days at the plate. Hancock went 3-for-4 on the day and scored three runs for the Bulldogs. Larry went 2-for-5 at the plate while scoring three runs.
The Bulldogs are back in action on Sunday as they play game three against VMI. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on the SECN+.
VMI took advantage early as Ty Swaim walked and then stole 2nd base. Justin Starke hit a single between the second base hole that scored Swaim.
Mississippi State 0, VMI 1
Bottom 1
Mississippi State took back the lead with an Amani Larry double down the left field line and a Colton Ledbetter home run. Slate Alford hit a single into center, then advanced to third after Kellum Clark's single to center. Luke Hancock walked, advancing Clark and Alford. Bryce Chance also walked, which scored Alford. Lane Forsythe advanced on a walk, scoring Clark. Amani Larry advanced on a walk, which scored Hancock. Ledbetter hit a double into center, scoring Larry, Chance, and Forsythe.
Mississippi State 8, VMI 1
Bottom 2
State started the second inning strong as Hines led off with a solo home run. Hancock hit a ground-rule double before scoring on a single into shallow center by Chance.
Mississippi State 10, VMI 1
Top 3
Swaim drew a walk to get a runner on for the Keydets. Morris always drew a walk, and Swaim advanced to second. Swaim stole third, then scored on a wild pitch. Morris stole home, and Starke stole second as they walked Trey Morgan. Cole Garrett singled deep into right field, scoring Starke and Morgan.
Mississippi State 10, VMI 5
Top 4
Fitzwater singled to center and advanced to second as a pitch hit Swaim. Swaim and Fitzwater advanced a base, each on a bunt. Fitzwater scored on a sacrifice fly by Starke. Morgan reached on a walk. Swaim scored, Morgan, advanced to third, and Cook reached first on an error.
Mississippi State 10, VMI 7
Bottom 4
Clark reached second on a dropped fly ball, and Chance hit a single to center, scoring Clark from second.
Mississippi State 11, VMI 7
Top 5
With a runner on first, Swaim hit a home run over left field.
Mississippi State 11, VMI 9
Bottom 6
Hancock doubled to right field and then scored on a Chance single to left field.
Mississippi State 12, VMI 9
Top 7
Jenkins reached on a walk, then stole second. Fitzwater and Swaim both reached on walks, advancing Jenkins to third. Morris singled to shortstop, scoring Jenkins. Starke hit a sacrifice fly to right field, which scored Fitzwater. Morgan singled to right field, which scored Swaim and Morris.
Mississippi State 12, VMI 13
Top 9
Fitzwater singled to left field, then reached second by a wild throw. Starke singled to right field, and that scored Fitzwater.
Mississippi State 12, VMI 14
Bottom 9
Larry doubled down the left field line and scored by a Ledbetter double.
Mississippi State 13, VMI 14
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: JT Inskeep (1-0)
L: Dohm, Nate (0-1)
S: Will Riley (1)
Batting:
2B: Trey Morgan 1
HR: Ty Swaim 1
RBI: Ty Swaim 2 ; Zac Morris 1 ; Justin Starke 4 ; Trey Morgan 2 ; Cole Garrett 2
SH: Zac Morris 1
SF: Justin Starke 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Ty Swaim 5 ; Zac Morris 2 ; Justin Starke 1 ; Trey Morgan 1 ; Cole Jenkins 1 ; Grayson Fitzwater 4
SB: Ty Swaim 2 ; Zac Morris 4 ; Justin Starke 2 ; Trey Morgan 2 ; Cole Jenkins 1
HBP: Ty Swaim 1
Batting:
2B: Larry, Amani 2 ; Ledbetter, Colton 2 ; Hancock, Luke 2
HR: Ledbetter, Colton 1 ; Hines, Hunter 1
RBI: Larry, Amani 1 ; Ledbetter, Colton 6 ; Hines, Hunter 1 ; Chance, Bryce 4 ; Forsythe, Lane 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Larry, Amani 3 ; Ledbetter, Colton 1 ; Hines, Hunter 1 ; Alford, Slate 1 ; Clark, Kellum 2 ; Hancock, Luke 3 ; Chance, Bryce 1 ; Forsythe, Lane 1
SB: Forsythe, Lane 1
