Recapping MSU’s 16-1 win over Portland at Dudy Noble Field on Friday.
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• The buzz: MSU started the 2013 season with a bang. The Bulldogs put up seven runs in the second inning for a 9-1 lead, and it collected 21 hits to back a solid showing by sophomore left-hander Jacob Lindgren (1-0).
• Big inning: MSU sent 12 batters to plate in the second. Adam Frazier got it going with an RBI single, making it 3-1, and later on Trey Porter stroked a 2-run single off the shortstop’s glove. MSU was aided by two hit-by-pitches in the frame.
• Key stats: MSU turned three double plays. … Portland made one error, State had none. … MSU was 9 of 17 at the plate with two outs.
• MSU at the plate: Mitch Slauter had a career-high four hits, while Frazier and Daryl Norris had three each. … Wes Rea and C.T. Bradford both hit two-run home runs – Rea in the first inning, Bradford in the third. … Ten different Bulldogs had at least one RBI.
• Portland at the plate: The Pilots had five hits. … Kramer Scott had two hits, while Cody Lenahan had an RBI.
• MSU on the mound: Lindgren, in his third career start, gave up his lone run in the second inning but escaped a bases-loaded jam with a double play. He went six innings and allowed five hits with three strikeouts and two walks on 61 pitches. … Preston Brown, Myles Gentry and Chad Girodo tossed a combined three innings of shutout, no-hit relief.
• Portland on the mound: Starter Matt McCallister (0-1) lasted just 1 1/3 innings, charged with nine runs (all earned) on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. … Portland used three relievers, and all 16 runs MSU scored were earned.
• Bottom line: MSU has been talking a lot about an improved offense, and while it’s only one game, it’s a heck of a start. Lindgren showed good focus after getting in a couple of tight spots early on. And it can’t be overstated how important it was that MSU got to play a lot of guys.
• Quotable: “It’s so important for guys to get off to a great start. Confidence in baseball is such a huge thing, and getting hits early in your at-bats is real important, and that happened for us.” – MSU head coach John Cohen
I've covered Mississippi State athletics for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (djournal.com) since August of 2008. I like sports, but I love writing.
