BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — Mississippi State erupted for 11 runs on 10 hits to defeat Samford 11-1 in a seven-inning game shortened by the run rule Tuesday night at Joe Lee Griffin Stadium.

The visiting Bulldogs scored twice in the first and broke it open with a five-run second inning. Reed Stallman and Kevin Milewski each hit solo home runs, and Ace Reese went 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Chris Billingsley earned the win, allowing one run over three innings.

Samford managed only three hits and its lone run came on an RBI single by Souders in the third. Mississippi State improved to 27-10, while Samford fell to 17-18. The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat that favored Samford to win 7-4.