Bulldog Bats Power State Past Vandy, 12-4
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Mississippi State (27-15-1, 11-8 SEC) used the long ball to score its first six runs and rolled on to a 12-4 series-clinching win over Vanderbilt (18-20, 3-15) Saturday night at Hawkins Field.
The teams conclude their three-game weekend series Sunday at 1 p.m.
Robby Goodson opened the Bulldogs' offensive show with a first-pitch home run in the second inning off Vandy starter Jeff Little (4-6). Later in the inning Matthew Brinson extended the MSU lead to 3-0 with a two-run blast, his second home run of the series and 12th of the year.
State's barrage continued with four more runs in the fourth, three on a Chad Henry blast over the left field wall.
Scott Shapiro lashed a two-run single in the fourth inning as Vanderbilt scored three runs to cut the MSU lead to 7-3.
But the Bulldogs answered with six runs on seven hits over the next two innings to ice the win and their fourth SEC series in seven weekends.
Senior Tanner Brock (6-3) stranded eight base-runners in the first three innings and allowed four runs on nine hits during a five-inning start. Relief pitcher Chris Young, helped along by three double plays, blanked Vanderbilt on four hits over the final four innings to pick up his first save of the year.
Chad Henry, Matthew Brinson and Robby Goodson combined for 10 RBI, with Henry and Goodson pacing MSU's 15-hit attack with three hits each. Brent Lewis added a pair of doubles.
Little pitched 3.2 innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits. Chris Maultsby fared slightly better, giving up five runs on six hits during his 1.2 innings of relief work.
Shapiro and Jonathan Douillard had three hits each to lead Vanderbilt, which dropped its 11th consecutive league game.
A record crowd of 1,547 watched the game, many on hand for dedication ceremonies at Vanderbilt's new baseball facility, Hawkins Field.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 12, VANDERBILT 4MSU (27-15-1, 11-8 SEC) 003 423 000 -- 12-15-1VU (18-20, 3-15 SEC) 000 310 000 -- 4-13-1WP -- Tanner Brock (6-3). LP -- Jeff Little (4-6).SV -- Chris Young (1). HR -- Chad Henry (4),Matthew Brinson (12), Robby Goodson (1), John Kaye (9).T -- 3:08. ATT -- 1,547 (Vanderbilt record).