Canadian Cerantola earns win for Mississippi State

Great Lake Canadians and Junior National Team alum Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.) struck out eight batters in his four scoreless innings for Mississippi State on Sunday. His performance earned him his first win of the collegiate season. Photo: Mississippi State Athletics

February 16, 2020

Official Release from Mississippi State Athletics

STARKVILLE – Five early runs provided enough offense for the Mississippi State baseball program, as the pitching staff struck out 15 in a 5-1 victory over Wright State on Sunday (Feb. 16) at Dudy Noble Field to complete the season-opening series sweep.

Mississippi State (1-0) got two runs in the first inning and scored three in the third, before Wright State (0-3) would break up the shutout with a single run in the fifth. The top four in the Diamond Dawg lineup produced all five runs and drove in three RBIs, while freshman Kamren James provided a pair of two-out RBIs in the game.

Juniors Rowdey Jordan and Jordan Westburg each posted 2-for-4 days at the plate and scored two runs, with Westburg adding one RBI. Juniors Josh Hatcher and Justin Foscue both drove in RBIs, while James had a pair of RBIs and one hit on the day.

Six MSU pitchers combined to allow four hits, three walks and strike out 15 batters in the victory, led by starting pitcher sophomore Eric Cerantola (1-0). The Oakville, Ontario, native fanned a career-high eight batters, allowed two hits and walked three in four scoreless frames to earn the win.

Freshman Landon Sims and senior Spencer Price each threw one inning and struck out three hitter, while juniors Jaxen Forrester and Jared Shemper each completed scoreless frames, as well.

The 2020 season-opening sweep marks the second straight season the Maroon and White have started with a sweep at home (2019; Youngstown State). It is the first time State has swept the season-opening series in back-to-back seasons since 2010 and 2011.