Starkville, Miss – All season, the Southern University baseball team showed why it could play against any team in the country. Against Mississippi State Friday afternoon, things were no different. Through the top of the fifth inning, the Jaguars maintained a two-run lead and a heavy dose of momentum before the bats got warm for MSU.
However, the Bulldogs scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth and never looked back, defeating the Jaguars 11-6 in the opening game of the 2019 NCAA Starkville Regional.
Mississippi State (47-13) will now face the winner of the Central Michigan and Miami (FL) game Saturday evening.
.@HBCUGameday Before post game press conference between Miss State-Southern University pic.twitter.com/stk3VToC0Q
— Wilton Jackson II (@WiltonReports) May 31, 2019
MSU scored the first run of the game. Center fielder Jake Mangum was hit by a pitch and shortstop Jordan Westburg walked. When Mangum advanced to second, first baseman Tanner Allen flied out to advance both Westburg and Mangum. Then, Bulldogs designated hitter Elijah MacNamee grounded out, allowing Mangum to cross home plate.
The two teams remained scoreless in the second inning before both teams added a run respectively in the third inning. In the top of the fourth, Southern got in a rhythm.
MSU pitcher Brandon Smith came into replace pitcher JT Ginn and the Jaguars took advantage. SU right fielder Ashanti Wheatley singled to centerfield to start the inning. After Malik Blaise walked from being hit by a pitch, Wheatley managed to steal both second and third bases. Bobby Johnson then hit a RBI single to score Wheatley.
Southern was just getting started. Hampton Hudson singed to centerfield while Johnson and Blaise moved to second and third base respectively. Smith then walked Jaguars’ Coby Taylor, allowing Blaise to score and putting other Jaguars in scoring position.
Jaguar center fielder Javeyan Williams led the way for Southern third run in the top of the fourth. Williams flied out to right field, allowing Hudson to advance to third and plating Johnson. Southern led 4-2.
SU's J. Wiliams flies out to right field…
— Wilton Jackson II (@WiltonReports) May 31, 2019
But, Hudson advances to third and Johnson scores a run for SU.
New Pitcher for Miss. State — Jared Liebelt
Top 4th@HailStateBB 2@BsbSouthern 4
But like Southern owned the fourth inning, Mississippi State put up four runs in the fifth inning and gained a huge portion of its momentum back, taking a 6-4 lead.
.@HBCUGameday
— Wilton Jackson II (@WiltonReports) May 31, 2019
R. Jordan singles to right field (RBI), Skelton advances to third and Foscue scores.
It's a tied ballgame in the Bottom 5th@HailStateBB 4@BsbSouthern 4
Following a scoreless sixth inning, Williams doubled down the right field line before Johnson homered to tie the game at 6-6.
.@HBCUGameday
— Wilton Jackson II (@WiltonReports) May 31, 2019
2B J. Johnson gets his fourth home run of the season. J. Williams scores.
The Jags are on the move.@HailStateBB 6@BsbSouthern 6
Top 7th
Then, the Bulldogs responded with three more runs in the seventh inning and two more in the bottom of the eighth inning for cushion to defeat Southern.
Mangum with the intentional walk.
— Wilton Jackson II (@WiltonReports) May 31, 2019
With the bases loaded for Miss. State, Westburg singles (RBI), Mangum goes to second.
Hatcher and Jordan both scored for the Bulldogs.@HailStateBB 8@BsbSouthern 6
Bottom 7th | 2 Outs
.@HBCUGameday
— Wilton Jackson II (@WiltonReports) May 31, 2019
SU gives up 2 runs, 3 hits to Miss State.@HailStateBB 11@BsbSouthern 6
Headed to Top 9th
Southern (32-23) will play the loser of the two teams in an elimination game on Saturday.

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