Two was the magic number for Mississippi State this weekend.

The Bulldogs hit 20 doubles in four games during their season-opening series at Dudy Noble Field and improved to 2-2 on Sunday by beating South Dakota State 15-5.

Mississippi State had 52 hits total in their first four games.

“We did some things well, but we had some things that we didn’t do well,” Mississippi State coach John Cohen said. “Obviously, you wanted more wins. You wanted better production from the pitchers. Offensively, we swung the bats well. We showed that we can be a much better offensive team this season.”

Designated hitter Jack Kruger, a junior college transfer from California, was the Bulldogs’ breakout star on opening weekend.

Kruger went 3-for-3 with a double, home run, three RBIs and four runs scored on Sunday. For the weekend, he was 9-for-16 at the plate and had multiple hits in all four games.

“Jack can flat out hit,” Cohen said. “We knew that when got him. We like the strides that he is making defensively as well. Overall, I thought we had some really good at-bats. We have a lot of guys off to good starts.”

From the start of Sunday’s game, the Bulldogs’ bats were smoking.

Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI double keyed a four-run first inning. South Dakota State tied it 5-5 in the third on a three-run home run by Cody Sharrow, but Mississippi State answered with six runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good.

The Bulldogs loaded the bases on a double by Reid Humpreys, a bunt single by Ryan Gridley, and a walk to Luke Alexander. Another walk to Jacob Robson brought in the go-ahead run.

Kruger padded the lead with a two-run single and three straight walks brought in two more runs. Humphreys, batting for the second time in the inning, reached on an error to bring in the final run.

Kruger tacked on a solo homer in the fourth inning and the game was halted after seven innings because a mercy rule.

Humphreys, Alexander and Gridley all had two hits apiece for Mississippi State.

MSU starting pitcher Zac Houston was roughed up for five runs in 3 2/3 innings, but four relievers combined to shut out the Jackrabbits over the last 3 1/3.

Blake Smith, Ryan Rigby, Paul Young and Ryan Cyr allowed two hits and two walks, and struck out four out of the bullpen.