NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt mounted a late comeback but Mississippi State held on to even the series Saturday with a 7-4 win at Hawkins Field.
Mississippi State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a solo home run by Hunter Hines and, with one out in the top of the fourth, went in front 2-0 on an RBI double by Hines.
Hines struck again in the top of the sixth with a three-run homer to right field, giving the visitors a 5-0 advantage.
Brennan Seiber took over on the mound in the sixth and tossed 3.1 innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out six.
The Dores got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. RJ Austin reached base on a fielder’s choice and Davis Diaz walked. The pair advanced on a failed pickoff attempt to put runners on second and third for Alan Espinal.
Espinal then blasted a mammoth, 469-foot homer off of Memorial Gym in left field to bring the Dores within two at 5-3.
SHEESHHHHH 😳 pic.twitter.com/WJdJBL5tti
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) April 27, 2024
Austin got the offense going again in the bottom of the eighth with a leadoff single. He stole second and took third on a throwing error by the catcher. Davis Diaz then singled to bring home Austin and make it a 5-4 game.
The Bulldogs added insurance with two runs in the top of the ninth, scoring twice on three hits and would hang on to win, 7-4.
Vanderbilt and Mississippi State will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Field for Game 3 on SECN+.
