STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - Paul Maholm struck out ten batters and Matthew Brinson drove in three of the Bulldogs' four runs to lead Mississippi State to a 4-2 win over Louisiana State University Friday night. <br>
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Maholm (7-2) scattered nine hits, walked five, stranded two base runners in three innings and got solid backing from the Bulldog defense, which turned three double plays. <br>
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Brinson laced a solo home run, doubled in a pair of runs and scored Mississippi State's (32-12-1, 13-8) final run in the seventh. <br>
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Greg Smith (0-1) was charged with three runs on five hits during his three-inning relief stint and absorbed the loss. <br>
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LSU (31-15-1, 15-6-1) scored the game's first run in the second, getting a pair of two-out walks and a single to right by Will Harris. <br>
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Brinson tied the score in the bottom of the inning with his eighth home run of the season. <br>
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The blast extended Brinson's hitting streak to a career-best 13 games. <br>
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The Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the fourth but Mississippi State jumped on Smith for three runs on four hits in the seventh to take the 4-2 lead. <br>
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The Bulldogs and the Tigers continue their three-game Southeastern Conference weekend series Saturday at 3:06 p.m.
