Bulldogs Take Second Game of the Series, 10-3

Saturday, May 5

Starkville, Miss.

2 pm

University of Tennessee

43-11, 0

#24/RV Mississippi State

35-19, 0

Tennessee

Mississippi State

Photo by: Austin Perryman/Tennessee Athletics

May 05, 2018 | Softball

Box Score

Box Score (PDF) | Coach Weekly Post Game

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- No. 24 Mississippi State hit four home runs to propel itself past No. 7 Tennessee, 10-3, on Saturday at Nusz Park.

After putting up seven runs in Friday night's matchup, the Lady Vols (43-11, 13-10) were held scoreless in five of seven innings. The Bulldogs (35-19, 7-16) tied their program record for a single game with the four long shots to even the series.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the first inning, as Reggie Harrison was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring the runner from third to make it 1-0.

Mississippi State increased its lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second thanks to a three-run home run from Mia Davidson. UT would cut it to three in the following frame as Chelsea Seggern drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Bulldogs' offense kept coming, however, as Katie Moore knocked a triple down the right field line in the third that scored Harrison. Moore was then brought in on a groundout to make it 6-1.

Tennessee got a rally going in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs to narrow the deficit to three. With one out and runners on second and third, Amanda Ayala drilled a single through the right side that scored Brooke Langston. Jenna Holcomb then laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed Haley Bearden to come home and keep UT's hopes alive.

The Bulldogs would shut down the Lady Vol momentum again, scoring one in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the fifth to increase the advantage to 9-3. In the fourth, Morgan Bell belted a solo home run to center field, before Harrison led off the fifth with a solo shot of her own. Sarai Niu got the Bulldogs to 10 with their fourth home run of the game.

Holly Ward went a complete seven innings for MSU, allowing four hits while recording nine strikeouts to improve to 14-7 on the season.

Gabby Sprang took the loss for Tennessee, falling to 4-2. Sprang and fellow freshman Ashley Morgan combined for six innings of work with seven hits given up between them.

UP NEXT: The Lady Vols look to bounce back in Game 3 on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET at Nusz Park.