Mississippi State baseball scoots past Campbell Camels in Starkville Regional

The Mississippi State baseball team is officially headed to their its straight Super Regional as the Bulldogs were able to survive a challenging Campbell Fighting Camels team. It was closer than many Mississippi State fans were hoping for, but the Bulldogs still came out on top Monday afternoon.

Mississippi State (43-15) actually jumped out to an early lead against Campbell (37-18), scoring two runs in the first inning. Kamren James got the first run across with an RBI double which shot down the left field line and put RowdeyJordan across home plate.

James then scooted over and stole third base and was subsequently presented an opportunity to score on an error, which put MSU up 2-0 heading to the bottom of the first.

But even though it appeared as if State would be able to take control of the game with ease, that very clearly wasn’t the case.

Mississippi State fell behind 2-3 as Spencer Packard launched a 3-run home run over the outfield wall as Jackson Fristoe, State’s starting pitcher, struggled and was unable to get out of the first inning.

Houston Harding soon stepped out and took the mound for the Bulldogs and made quick work of the Camels, providing MSU with an opportunity to reclaim the lead.

James shined again in the third inning and got that lead back for the Bulldogs.

With Tanner Allen on base in the top half of the third inning, James hit a home run of his own, this one a 2-run shot, into the Left Field Lounge. Mississippi State absolutely needed the home run and the Bulldogs jumped up on top of Campbell 4-3.

Brad Cumbest later scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning and Logan Tanner hit a homer in the top of the fifth, with the two scores giving MSU a 6-3 lead over the Fighting Camels.

Unfortunately for the home team, Campbell wouldn’t quit. The Camels cut into State’s lead by scoring two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Thankfully for Mississippi State and the Bulldog faithful, that’s all Campbell could get as Landon Sims soon entered into the game and took over. With the score at 6-5 in the top of the seventh inning, Sims was able to step in and make easy work of his foes.

Sims pitched 3.0 innings, earned his 9th save of the season, and struck out four batters in the process. Harding earned the win, his 7th of the year, and struck out 10 in 5.0 innings.

Mississippi State will now host Notre Dame in the Starkville Super Regional.

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