MSU beats Texas Tech, caps sweep

BILOXI – Timely hitting, along with a solid outing on the mound by graduate starting pitcher Carlisle Koestler and the bullpen helped the Mississippi State Bulldogs to a midweek, two-game baseball sweep of No. 2 Texas Tech in front of 6,029 fans at MGM Park in Biloxi.

Junior Josh Hatcher delivered the goahead RBI double in the seventh inning to HATCHER help MSU defeat Texas Tech 3-2 and hand the Red Raiders back-to-back losses for the first time in 37 games, dating back to the 2019 season.

The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Rowdey Jordan doubled and scored on a ground out by Josh Hatcher.

After Texas Tech tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth, MSU regained the lead in the seventh.

Jordan had a one-out single, then stole second base. Hatcher drove in Jordan for the second time in the game, but instead of a ground out, this time it was with a double.

The Bulldogs increased their advantage to 3-1 in the frame as Luke Hancock doubled to get Hatcher across the plate.

The Red Raiders were able score one run in the eighth, but could get nothing else.

MSU'S pitching staff limited a very good Texas Tech hitting team offensively for the second-straight night. The Red Raiders were held to just five hits.

Koestler went five innings and gave up one run on four hits. Riley Self, Jaxen Forrester and Spencer Price followed Koestler to the mound. Price earned his second save in as many nights.

Leading the 10-hit attack for the Bulldogs, Jordan, Hatcher and Hancock had two hits each with each getting a double.

MSU, which improved to 12-4 overall, begins Southeastern Conference play at home this weekend against Arkansas. With the steps that the NCAA and the SEC took on Wednesday, no fans will be allowed at Dudy Noble Field this weekend through at least March 30.