STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — In a season-opening contest defined by opportunistic offense and a chaotic middle innings rally, the Mississippi State Bulldogs capitalized on wild pitches, walks and a critical Hofstra error to erase a four-run deficit and secure a 6-5 victory over the Hofstra Pride on Friday night at Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium.

The game’s decisive turning point arrived in the bottom of the fifth inning, a frame that encapsulated a night where Mississippi State’s three total hits belied its offensive output. Trailing 5-4, the Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out against Hofstra reliever Nicholas Reese on a hit-by-pitch and two walks. After a pitching change, Mississippi State designated hitter Reed Stallman worked a bases-loaded walk to force in the tying run. The go-ahead run then crossed the plate in bizarre fashion, as a balk was called on Hofstra pitcher McArthur, allowing Teel to score and giving the Bulldogs a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish.

This capped a comeback that began an inning earlier. Hofstra, which outhit Mississippi State 10 to 3, had built a 5-0 lead by the top of the sixth, keyed by a two-run single from Gallello in the fourth and an RBI double from Corona in the fifth. The Pride’s early advantage was built on starter Carlos Martinez, who held the Bulldogs hitless through the first three innings.

Mississippi State’s offense finally ignited in the bottom of the fourth. After a single and a walk put two on, Stallman laced a two-run double to right field to put the Bulldogs on the board. The inning then descended into chaos against the Hofstra bullpen. A wild pitch allowed Stallman to score, and after a walk and a stolen base, shortstop Ryder Woodson scored from third on a throwing error by the Hofstra catcher. Another wild pitch moved Gehrig Frei to third, but he was stranded, ending the inning with the score 5-4 in Hofstra’s favor.

The Bulldogs’ fifth-inning rally, culminating in the balk, proved the final lead change. From there, the Mississippi State bullpen silenced the Pride bats. Following starter Ryan McPherson, relievers Duke Stone and Ben Davis combined for four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four. Davis earned the win, while Stone provided key middle relief.

Hofstra threatened in the ninth against Davis. A hit-by-pitch and a double put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with one out. Cox lifted a sacrifice fly to right to pull Hofstra within a run, but Davis struck out Castrataro swinging to end the game, stranding the potential tying run at third base.

The victory improved Mississippi State’s record to 1-0 to open the season, while Hofstra fell to 0-1. The two teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.

Key to the Bulldogs’ win was their patience and capitalization of Hofstra’s miscues. Mississippi State drew eight walks, were hit by two pitches, and benefited from three wild pitches, a balk and a critical error. Stallman finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, providing two of his team’s three hits. For Hofstra, Melara and Gallello each had three hits, with Gallello driving in three runs.

The game defied the statistical expectation, as Interstat’s ELO system had projected Mississippi State with an 88.30 percent probability to win. The Bulldogs, despite being heavily favored, needed a gritty, unconventional comeback to secure the opening-day victory.