STARKVILLE, Miss. – Host Mississippi State rallied in the late innings to defeat Saint Louis, 3-2, Saturday afternoon at the Bulldog Kickoff Classic.

The Billikens (3-1) grabbed a 1-0 first-inning lead. Alex Nickel drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a ground ball and scored on a single by Allie Macfarlane.

The Bulldogs tied it in the bottom of the first, but Saint Louis regained the upper hand in the third. Nickel doubled with one out, scooted to third on a fly ball and scored on an illegal pitch.

However, Mississippi State tallied once in the sixth and once in the seventh to pull out the victory and improve to 3-0.

Brianna Lore (1-1) was solid in the circle. Lore allowed just five hits, walked only one and struck out three.

Hailey Weavers doubled for the Billikens, while Mackenzie Peter and Alyssa Tarquinio added a single apiece. Lindsay Friedman had two stolen bases.