STARKVILLE, Miss., - Saturday was an historic day for Mississippi State baseball.

The fifth-ranked Diamond Dogs 2-1 over Portland marking their 1,000th career victory at storied Dudy Noble Field, which opened in 1967.

"It's just a real credit to a lot of different people who have been through this program - all the players and all the coaches," said MSU skipper and Bulldog alum John Cohen. "I think it's just another milestone that makes you say that you're part of this program."

MSU is now 1,000-366-2 all-time at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium.

After smashing out 21 hits and scoring 16 runs in the season opener Friday, the Bulldogs bats were quieted in game two thanks in part to chilly 45-degree temperatures and Portland ace Travis Radke.

State (2-0) still managed seven hits on the afternoon led by designated hitter Trey Porter's 2-for-4 day with a double.

Sophomore Ross Mitchell picked up the win working one inning of shutout relief allowing one hit and recording a strikeout.

Starter Evan Mitchell lasted five innings giving up one run on three hits with six strikeouts and three walk. It was Evan Mitchell's longest outing since the Atlanta Regional in 2011.

"The exciting thing for us with Evan is the lack of big misses," Cohen said. "When he is not missing big, he's going to be successful. He's a little bit of a slow starter, especially in cold weather. But I think when he got to pitch 25 or 28 he really turned it on. His velocity went up, his breaking ball was better and his command was better."

Preseason All-American Jonathan Holder came on to close the door earning his first save of the year. Holder tossed 1 2/3 perfect frames while fanning four of the six batters he faced.



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