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Mississippi State Baseball Upends #19 Houston in Extra Innings

By Ethan Lee

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits a game-winning single during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits a game-winning single during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Mississippi State Pulls Off Extra Inning Upset

The Mississippi State baseball team is certainly showing to be a resilient bunch. The entire start of the season is starting to show that. Losing a coach for controversial, off the field issues and then having to drive all over Texas to play on the road for over a week are not things that most would call easy.

And then, last night, after the Diamond Dawgs found themselves falling behind late to the #19 Houston Cougars in Minute Maid Park, the Bulldogs proved to be capable of overcoming adversity again.

Mississippi State actually scored first last night. In the bottom half of the third inning, the Bulldogs claimed a 1-0 lead over UH with crafty base running and a fielder’s choice RBI that got Hunter Stovall on base. The Coogs wasted no time and tied the game back up just an inning later. In the 4th inning, UH’s Connor Hollis hit a solo home run right into the seats in Minute Maid Park.

With the game tied at 1-1, Houston took a lead in the top of the 8th inning with an RBI single to left field. However, as was previously mentioned, the Bulldogs did not allow themselves to be behind for very long late in the game. Down 2-1 to UH, Hunter Vansau came to the plate and brought Justin Foscue home with a double to tie things up a 2 runs apiece.

The game wasn’t able to be settled in 9 innings and so it continued on. The Bulldogs and Cougars both tapped into their bullpens to make it happen and push on for three more innings.

Late Inning Magic Gets MSU the Win

In the bottom of the 12th inning, Mississippi State made its move. Tanner Poole made his way onto first after striking out but making it on a wild pitch. Poole followed that act by scooting over to second base by stealing it. Then, Rowdey Jordan grounded out, but UH couldn’t keep Poole from moving to third.

In order to keep Jake Mangum from finishing the game, Houston walked him intentionally. With Tanner Poole on third, Mangum on first, and only one out, Hunter Stovall stepped up to the plate. Stovall didn’t have to do much to bring Poole home. After all of that, a fly out to center field gave Stovall an RBI and MSU the win.

The Bulldogs beat Houston 3-2 in 12 innings and have now won two games in a row. The Shriner’s Classic in Minute Maid Park has given the Bulldogs a chance to get their feet under them as MSU is now 5-5 on the year. Mississippi State will play Sam Houston State here in Houston for their final game of the weekend and a ridiculously long road trip.

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