The Mississippi State Bulldogs overcame a 6-1 deficit going into the eighth inning to notch a 7-6 win over Samford University on Wednesday night. The Dawgs scored two runs in the eighth inning and a four-run ninth inning as freshman Conner Powers, who had a three-RBI performance, batted in the game-winning run.
“I was just thinking of a way for us to win,” Powers said. “I was just trying to find a pitch to hit and somehow I got one.”
Samford starting pitcher David Knapp proved to be a challenge for the Bulldogs as he recorded seven strikeouts, three earned runs and one walk.
“We got a break, but you have to tip your cap to Knapp,” MSU head coach Ron Polk said. “He shut down Memphis, and his numbers are good. We just had to get a break and get Powers up at the right time.”
Samford opened the game by scoring a run in the first inning as right fielder Bear Burnett hit a sacrifice fly to center field to send shortstop Michael Maresco home. In the second inning, left fielder John Morgan scored on a wild pitch by Bulldog starter Jared Koon.
The Dawgs’ offense struck back in the bottom of the second inning as seniors Brian LaNinfa and Joseph McCaskill hit back-to-back singles. LaNinfa scored the first run of the game on an RBI sacrifice fly by Powers.
Samford stretched its lead in the fourth inning with an RBI double by second baseman Wayne Miller.
Freshman Greg Houston gave up three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Maresco doubled to right center field, followed by a single to left by Parker Gargis. Gargis scored on a throwing error by shortstop Brandon Turner.
Mississippi State opened the seventh inning with a bang, scoring as relief pitcher Tripp Swann gave up two earned runs on back-to-back walks with the bases loaded.
Second baseman Jeffrey Rea and Turner opened up the inning with back-to-back singles up the middle. Rea advanced to third when catcher Edward Easley lined out to right field and came in for the run after Swann walked first baseman Mitch Moreland and designated hitter Brian LaNinfa.
Relief pitcher Joseph Edens took over for Swann and walked Powers for the Bulldogs’ second run of the inning.
Mississippi State continued to put the heat on Edens in the ninth inning. Center fielder Mark Goforth reached base on a throwing error by third baseman Bill Whitehead and scored on an RBI double by Rea.
Turner singled up the middle to send Rea home but was picked off when Easley reached on a fielder’s choice.
Moreland was dealt his second walk of the evening. LaNinfa followed with a base hit and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Samford shortstop. Pinch runner Nick Hardy came in for the run on the error.
McCaskill was intentionally walked by Edens followed by the game-winning single by Powers.
“It seems like we always wait until the last minute,” Rea said. “We just took this game for granted, but Knapp really kept us off balance.