BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The Mississippi State Bulldogs erupted for nine runs across the first two innings and cruised to an 11-1 victory over the Samford Bulldogs in a seven-inning non-conference baseball game Tuesday night at Joe Lee Griffin Stadium.

Mississippi State, the visiting team, improved to 27-10 overall, while Samford fell to 17-18.

The most important part of the game was the immediate and overwhelming offensive response from Mississippi State following a weekend series sweep at the hands of Tennessee. After being held to just nine total runs in three losses, Mississippi State’s bats came alive early and often against Samford pitching.

Mississippi State wasted no time, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After two quick outs, Ace Reese worked a walk and Reed Stallman followed by launching a two-run home run to right field.

The visiting Bulldogs then broke the game open with a seven-run second inning, sending 11 batters to the plate. The rally was fueled by patience and timely hitting. With two on and two out, Teel singled through the left side to drive in two runs. Reese then doubled to right center to score Teel. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases, Frei delivered a two-run single up the middle. Samford starter Vermillion was relieved by Palmer O’Beirne during the inning, but the damage was done as Mississippi State built a commanding 9-0 lead.

Samford managed its only run in the bottom of the third. Dutton tripled to center field and scored on Souders’ RBI single down the left field line. That was one of only three hits allowed by a committee of Mississippi State pitchers.

Mississippi State starter Chris Billingsley earned the win, pitching three innings and allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts. He was followed by four relievers — Maddox Miller, Tyler Pitzer, and Peyton Fowler — who combined for four hitless innings to seal the victory.

The visiting Bulldogs added two more runs in the fifth inning on back-to-back extra-base hits. Kevin Milewski led off with a solo home run to center field. Later in the frame, Reese added his second RBI double of the game, and Sullivan followed with a two-run single.

Reese led the Mississippi State offense, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Stallman finished 2-for-4 with his two-run homer. Mississippi State tallied 10 hits in total and drew eight walks.

For Samford, O’Beirne provided 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits. Michael Fredette and Andrew Marble also pitched scoreless innings in the loss.

The result defied the projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 7-4 victory for Samford. However, Mississippi State entered as a significant favorite with a 72.2% win probability according to the service’s ELO system.

Mississippi State looks to carry the momentum into a Southeastern Conference road series at South Carolina beginning Friday. Samford opens a Southern Conference series at UNC Greensboro on Friday.