Mississippi State scores two in 9th to edge Ragin’ Cajuns in Shriners Classic

HOUSTON, Texas – A two-run ninth inning for Mississippi State was the difference on Friday night as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns fell 3-1 to the 21st-ranked Bulldogs on the opening day of the Shriners College Classic at Minute Maid Park.

Freshman Brock Batty took the loss for the Cajuns (3-6) after giving up two runs on five hits in 3.1 innings of work. Reliever Cole Gordon picked up the victory for Mississippi State (4-5) tossing two perfect innings with four strikeouts. MSU starter Konnor Pilkington didn’t factor into the decision despite holding the Ragin’ Cajuns to one run on three hits in seven innings with 13 strikeouts.

Junior Nick Lee surrendered just one unearned run in his start. Lee struck out seven in 5.2 innings while scattering four hits and three walks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Ragin’ Cajuns got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth when freshman Jonathan Windham recorded his first collegiate hit sending a two-out single back up the middle to plate Hunter Kasuls and make the score 1-0.

The Bulldogs evened the game at 1-all in the top of the sixth when Dustin Skelton was hit by a pitch with two outs and the bases loaded. Batty came on in the inning and struck out Tanner Poole to end the threat and keep the contest tied.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Mississippi State grabbed the lead in the top of the ninth on a solo home run to left by Poole. Later in the inning, Tanner Allen added an insurance run on a two-out RBI single through the right side of the infield to make the final 3-1.

UP NEXT

Louisiana returns to action tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. against No. 12 Vanderbilt at the Shriners College Classic. The Cajuns close out the weekend on Sunday at 11 a.m. against No. 7 Kentucky.

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