Baserunning Miscues Hamper Mississippi State against Air Force

Errors on the bases come back to haunt the Bulldogs in their 3-2 loss to Air Force.

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs drop their first game of the season 3-2 to Air Force. MSU got an excellent start from former Purdue transfer Khal Stephen, who only allowed one run through seven innings while striking out 11. 

The Bulldog offense did not help their pitcher as they struggled on a cold day at Dudy Noble Field. MSU had nine hits, but a lot like last year, the Bulldogs struggled to get the clutch hit. 

Also, mental mistakes by Bulldog batters ended a few potential rallies for MSU. Bulldog third baseman Nate Chester got a one-out single in the sixth inning to give MSU a baserunner, then MSU catcher Joe Powell followed that up with a single of his own but was thrown out at second trying to advance on the Falcon throw to third base. 

If Powell holds at first, the Bulldogs are set up with runners on the corners with one out and the top of the MSU lineup looming. However, the Bulldogs did not score in that inning, which now looms large. 

Amani Larry also made a mistake in the seventh inning after he was thrown out at second following a lead-off single. By doing this, Larry took an RBI opportunity away from MSU's first baseman, Hunter Hines. MSU head coach Chris Lemonis spoke on both baserunning errors. 

"They were all a little different," Lemonis said. "Joe (Powell) thought he saw the ball going over his head…, Amani (Larry) just reading the ball in the dirt, you know, so, but they all came in really tough moments." 

The Bulldogs must play smarter baseball in the future because little mental errors always come back to bite teams. MSU must respond tomorrow because an Opening Series loss will possibly affect this team mentally and also carry major implications in May.

The Bulldogs will be back in action tomorrow for the rubber match at one p.m. CT.