After an embarrassing showing Friday night, the Mississippi State University baseball team used their bats to bounce back and take the series against the Arizona State University Sun Devils.
The Bulldog pitching staff struggled to find their stride during Friday’s outing, as veteran starter Cade Smith pitched three innings before he was replaced in the top of the fourth by KC Hunt. Smith recorded two strikeouts and allowed seven earned runs on three hits against the Sun Devils. The MSU offense was no saving grace either, as the Diamond Dawgs only managed four runs on seven hits compared to ASU’s 13 runs on 12 hits.
MSU captain catcher Luke Hancock discussed his emotions following the blowout loss in game one.
“To be honest, it really pisses me off…that shouldn’t happen here,” Hancock said. “I don’t care who we’re playing, I don’t care if it’s the New York Yankees, that shouldn’t happen to us.”
It’s no secret that the MSU baseball program is held to higher standards, which is why the Saturday comeback allowed for some much-needed relief amongst the fan base.
Transfer pitcher Graham Yntema was credited with the win in game two after striking out six Sun Devils in five innings and only allowing one run. The Diamond Dawgs stepped up their game at the plate as well. MSU earned four runs in the fourth that allowed the Bulldogs to hold the momentum for the rest of the game.
The Bulldogs’ hitting truly peaked during game three on Sunday, as MSU forced the Sun Devils to go to the bullpen 10 times in the game. ASU gave up 16 runs on 15 hits, including a grand slam in the fourth on a 3-0 count by Samford transfer Colton Ledbetter.
Junior shortstop Lane Forsythe hit his second career home run in the sixth, but this comes as no shock to MSU head coach Chris Lemonis.
After the 16-3 win over the Sun Devils, coach Lemonis spoke to the media about what he has seen from Forsythe and how he has improved through the first few games of the season.
“I think Lane has been a lot better…He’s worked really hard; worked really hard on his body, worked hard on his swing with Coach Goat,” coach Lemonis said. “You’re seeing a better offensive player right now.” 
Following the series win against ASU, the Diamond Dawgs are now 5-3 on the young 2023 season. Next up, MSU heads to Pearl, Mississippi to play the University of Southern Mississippi at Trustmark Park Tuesday night.