Dogs Top UNO 7-1 To Earn Series Split
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Jason Burkley went 3-for-3 and Matthew Maniscalco drove in three runs with a pair of doubles Wednesday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field, leading Mississippi State (13-8-1) to a 7-1 win and a split of its two-game series with the University of New Orleans (15-10).
The Bulldogs return to SEC competition on the road this weekend, opening a three-game series with longtime Western Division rival LSU Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Baton Rouge, La.
Chad Henry scored the first run of the game in the first inning, reaching on a walk, stealing second, and then racing home when Jason Burkley's single was misplayed in left field. Casey Long opened the fourth inning with a single through the middle of the UNO infield and designated hitter J.B. Tucker followed with his second home run of the season to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.
MSU expanded its lead to 4-0 on consecutive doubles by Burkley and Matthew Brinson in the fifth, and plated another run in the sixth on a strikeout/wild pitch and an RBI double by Maniscalco. Three walks and a two-out, two-run double by Maniscalco in the sixth completed the Bulldog scoring.
UNO got two hits from Justin LoFranco, including a solo home run to lead off the seventh inning.
Chris Young (3-0) picked up the win with 4.2 solid innings of three-hit middle inning relief work. Senior Ryan Carroll made his first career start, scattering four hits over 3.1 innings while sophomore Jonathan Papelbon struck out the three batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Starter Brandon Migues (1-1), the first of five UNO hurlers in the game, took the loss, striking out five and giving up one unearned run in his three innings of mound work.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 7, NEW ORLEANS 1 UNO (15-10) 000 000 100 --- 1-7-2 MSU (13-8-1) 100 211 20x --- 7-9-0 WP - Chris Young (3-0). LP -Brandon Migues (1-1). HR - (MSU) J.B. Tucker (2); (UNO) Justin LoFranco (4). T -- .2:32. ATT - 6,081 (paid), 1,318 (actual).