November 11, 2009
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Gray team rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday to claim a 3-2 win in the opening game of Mississippi State's 2009 Fall World Series at Dudy Noble Field.
Senior Ryan Duffy cracked a game-tying two-run home run to right-centerfield and senior third baseman Jarrod Parks plated the winning run, scoring from third base on a suicide squeeze play. Duffy's home run was one of only two hits allowed by Maroon hurlers Chris Stratton and Ben Bracewell, both freshmen. Stratton struck out six and allowed three base runners in four innings of mound work.
The Maroons struck first, breaking up a scoreless deadlock in the third when junior infielder Jonathan Ogden doubled to left and later scored on a double steal. Junior catcher Wes Thigpen gave the Maroon's a 2-0 lead and inning later with a solo home run.
Freshman C.C. Watson pitched 3-1/3 innings and picked up the win in the seven-inning contest. On in relief of Gray team starter Luke Boles, Watson came on to get the final out in the fourth, and with the aid of three double plays, held the Maroons scoreless despite issuing four walk and yielding singles to Frank Rawdow and Ben Bracewell. Bracewell was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs on one hit with five walks and a hit batsman in three innings of relief of starter Stratton.
The five-game series continues Friday at 3:30 p.m., with sophomores Nick Routt and Devin Jones as the scheduled game two pitchers. The series is open to the public with no charge for admission.
GRAY 3, MAROON 2
GRAY 000 000 3 3-2-1
MAROON 001 100 0 2-4-0
WP -- C.C. Watson. LP -- Ben Bracewell. HR -- Wes Thigpen, Ryan Duffy.
Courtesy: mstateathletics.com
