MSU Splits Series With Holy Cross

Jake Vickerson finished the weekend 7-for-14 (.500) with five runs, four walks, three stolen bases, two doubles and two RBI
(MSU Athletics)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI Sports/MSU Athletics) – The Mississippi State baseball team split its series with Holy Cross two games a piece.

Holy Cross (2-2) used a four-run fourth inning en route to a 6-1 victory against Mississippi State (4-4) Sunday afternoon in front of 6,752 at Dudy Noble Field. Starting pitcher Donny Murray (1-0) helped split the four-game weekend series by picking up the win for the Crusaders, while MSU true freshman Dakota Hudson (0-1) suffered the loss.

“We just had huge misses on the mound and they (Holy Cross) did not,” head coach John Cohen said. “When you keep challenging the strike zone like they did and the defense is engaged, your defense is going to play great.”

The visitors jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first when Andrew Barry recorded an RBI single to the gap in left. Holy Cross then put a four-spot on the board in the fourth thanks to RBI singles to left by left fielder Bobby Indeglia (1 RBI), shortstop Nick Lovullo (2) and right fielder Evan Ocello (1).

Trailing 5-0 after four, the Bulldogs plated their only run on an RBI single through the right side by junior left fielder Jake Vickerson. Sophomore shortstop Kyle Hann scored on the play after pulling a leadoff double down the line in left.

“I felt like we hit some balls hard and their guys made some great plays,” Vickerson said.

Holy Cross scored the final run of the game in the ninth when Ocello tapped the dish on a safety squeeze by designated hitter Jack St. Clair.

Mississippi State returns to Dudy Noble Field 4 p.m. Tuesday and 4 p.m. Wednesday for a midweek two-game tilt vs. Mount St. Mary’s.