HOUSTON, Texas – A two-run ninth inning for Mississippi State was the difference on Friday night as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns fell 3-1 to the 21st-ranked Bulldogs on the opening day of the Shriners College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
Freshman Brock Batty took the loss for the Cajuns (3-6) after giving up two runs on five hits in 3.1 innings of work. Reliever Cole Gordon picked up the victory for Mississippi State (4-5) tossing two perfect innings with four strikeouts. MSU starter Konnor Pilkington didn't factor into the decision despite holding the Ragin' Cajuns to one run on three hits in seven innings with 13 strikeouts.