Mississippi State Dominates Northeastern, 11-2, in Tallahassee Regional Opener

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Mississippi State baseball delivered a commanding performance Friday night, defeating Northeastern University 11-2 in the opening round of the NCAA Tallahassee Regional at Florida State’s Dick Howser Stadium. The victory not only advanced the Bulldogs to the winner’s bracket but also snapped Northeastern’s impressive 27-game winning streak, the longest in the nation entering the tournament1 3.

The game, delayed by weather and pushed to a late start, saw the Bulldogs (now 35-21) waste little time seizing momentum after falling behind 1-0 in the first inning. After Northeastern’s Carmelo Musacchia put the Huskies ahead with an RBI single, Mississippi State responded with a three-run second inning, highlighted by Gatlin Sanders’ two-run single that gave the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead1.

Mississippi State’s offense erupted in the third inning, scoring four runs to extend the lead to 7-2. Key moments included Bryce Chance’s RBI double and Joe Powell’s two-run home run, which chased Northeastern starter Will Jones from the game. Powell finished the night with four RBIs, including his third-inning homer that proved to be a turning point1 3.

On the mound, right-hander Ben Davis started for the Bulldogs, working five solid innings before freshman reliever Ryan McPherson took over. McPherson was particularly effective, pitching four scoreless innings and allowing just one hit, helping to stifle Northeastern’s typically potent offense and holding the Huskies to their lowest hit total since April3.

Mississippi State continued to add insurance runs late in the game. In the eighth, Sanders doubled home Ross Highfill to make it 8-2, and in the ninth, Noah Sullivan launched a two-run homer, followed by another run on a groundout to cap the scoring at 11-21 3. The Bulldogs’ offensive outburst was complemented by a strong defensive effort, with the pitching staff combining to limit Northeastern to just five hits.

The win sets up a Saturday matchup against host Florida State in the winner’s bracket, while Northeastern (now 48-10) will face Bethune-Cookman in an elimination game3. The result marks a significant milestone for Mississippi State, as they ended the Huskies’ historic streak and positioned themselves favorably in the regional.

Notably, the game also saw the end of Mississippi State’s Ace Reese’s 22-game hitting streak, the third-longest active streak in the NCAA, as he went hitless in four at-bats3.

Friday’s regional opener showcased Mississippi State’s depth, timely hitting, and pitching prowess, sending a strong message as the Bulldogs continue their postseason campaign.

Disclaimer: This post was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence to ensure accuracy and timeliness. All information is based on reputable sources and official game reports.

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