STARKVILLE, Miss. - Memphis (4-0) scored three runs in the ninth inning to come back and defeat No. 7 Mississippi State (2-2) on Wednesday at Dudy Noble Field.
Memphis trailed 4-3 entering the top of the ninth and head coach Daron Schoenrock was ejected in the bottom of the eighth arguing balls and strikes. Memphis rallied for three runs against Bulldogs All-American closer Jonathan Holder to take a 6-4 lead.
Bryce Beeler entered with two on and no out in the ninth and shut the door for his third save in as many opportunities. Beeler struck out the final hitter of the game to clinch the Tigers 4-0 start. The 4-0 start is the first since 2001 (6-0).
Jacob Moody pitched one inning in relief, striking out one and walking another while allowing one hit. He earned the win, the first of his career. Holder took the loss after allowing two earned runs on two hits in the ninth. It was Mississippi State's first loss under John Cohen when leading in the top of the ninth inning (82-0).
Kane Barrow started the rally reaching on a dropped third strike. Pinch-runner Ford Wilson swiped second to put the tying run in scoring position. Bryce Beeler singled to left-centerfield and moved to second on the throw home that was late. Jake Little singled to put runners on the corners and Ethan Gross reached on an error to plate the go-ahead run. Little moved to third and scored after the Bulldogs first baseman couldn't get the out at the plate.
Memphis starter Caleb Wallingford flirted with trouble in all four innings of his start, but Wallingford, a junior lefty, escaped the game without allowing a run. Wallingford allowed three hits, walked two and hit two batters. The Bulldogs put five runners in scoring position over the first four innings, but two strikeouts and two pop ups averted the threat for Wallingford.
The Tigers grabbed the lead in the fifth and left-fielder Kane Barrow sparked the scoring. Barrow singled in the second, but Mississippi State pitcher Ben Bracewell set down the next eight batters he faced. Barrow led off the fifth with a double to deep centerfield. Designated hitter Bryce Beeler sacrificed Barrow to third. With two outs, Ethan Gross was in a 0-2 hole at the plate, but hit a hard-hit grounder to second that was misplayed resulting in Barrow scoring.
Mississippi State cashed in with runners in scoring position in the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits. The Tigers walked three in the inning to load the bases before three hits led to the runs. Two singles scored three runs and a double added the fourth tally for Mississippi State's 4-1 lead.
Memphis used the Bulldogs second error to score two runs in the seventh to pull within one, 4-3. Carter White singled and Barrow followed with his third hit of the night to put two on with no outs. Beeler lifted a fly ball to right to move White to third. A walk loaded the bases and the error on the fielder's choice allowed two runs to score on Gross' grounder to short. The Tigers attempted to tie the game with Zach Schritenthal putting down a bunt, but Jake Little was out at the plate after the bunt was missed.
No. 4 Virginia 17, William and Mary 2
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Virginia piled up 19 hits in a resounding 17-2 victory against William & Mary on Wednesday evening. The Cavaliers (3-1) scored six runs in the second inning and blew the game open with a nine-run sixth inning.
Mike Papi hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs to highlight Virginia's offensive explosion. Brandon Downes homered as part of a three-hit night, while freshman Daniel Pinero also recorded three hits. Eight Cavaliers had multiple-hit games.
UVa starting pitcher Artie Lewicki went five strong innings, giving up a pair of runs and four hits while striking out six as he earned his first win since May 26, 2012. Four UVa relievers combined to allowed just two baserunners in the final four innings. Bryson Kauhaahaa (0-1) suffered the defeat after allowing six runs (one earned) in two innings.
No. 5 LSU 7, Southeastern Louisiana 3
HAMMOND, La. -- Junior left-hander Cody Glenn limited Southeastern Louisiana to one earned run in five innings Wednesday night, and second-ranked LSU broke a 2-2 tie with a four-run sixth inning as the Tigers posted a 7-3 win at Alumni Field.
The game was played in front of a stadium-record crowd of 3,747, as LSU won its 32nd consecutive game against a Louisiana school. The Tigers also increased their win streak in mid-week regular-season games to 34.
LSU (4-0) plays host to Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. Friday in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. Southeastern (2-2) plays host to George Washington in a three-game series beginning at 1 p.m. Friday.
Glenn (1-0) threw 71 pitches in five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts. LSU relievers Nate Fury, Parker Bugg, Joe Broussard and Kurt McCune combined to blank the Lions over the final four innings.
SLU starter Sean Kennel (0-1) was charged with the loss as he surrendered five runs on five hits in 5.2 innings with one walk and three strikeouts.
No. 6 Vanderbilt 5, Lipscomb 1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Vanderbilt eased by Lipscomb 5-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Hawkins Field in the home opener.
The Commodores' (4-0) pitching staff continued its early season dominance with another strong outing in the season's first home game. Starter Walker Buehler kept the Dores' starting pitcher's streak alive not allowing an earned run. Vanderbilt's four starting pitchers (Tyler Beede, Jared Miller, Tyler Ferguson) have not allowed an earned run in 21.1 innings this year.
