Bulldogs beat Rebels to get Governor’s Cup
PEARL — For he second year in a row, the Governor's Cup trophy is headed back to Starkville.
Behind a big eighth inning along with a stellar bullpen performance, the Mississippi State Bulldogs got past rival Ole Miss 5-1 in the 45th annual Governor's Cup at Trustmark Park on Wednesday night.
MSU now leads the Governor's Cup series 24-19. The Bulldogs have now won three games in a row and eight of their last nine games to improve to 30-15.
“We realized how important this game was and it's an extra SEC win on the line. It helps us in RPI and our resume,” MSU head coach Chris Lemonis said. “Connor (Hujsak) going from first to third was the play of the game and put pressure on them.”
According to the NCAA website, the Bulldogs entered the game with a RPI of 26, while the Rebels were 27.
The lone Ole Miss run came in the top of the second inning as Judd Utermark hit a solo home run to left to take a 1-0 lead.
MSU tied the game in the bottom of the fifth as Hunter Hines delivered an RBI single to left to tie the game 1-1.
The eighth inning was the difference as the Bulldogs scored four runs to take the 5-1 lead.
Hujsak led off the inning with a walk and advanced from first to third on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Hujsak scored on a fielder's choice by Logan Kohler to give MSU the lead. Bryce Chance drew a walk with the bases loaded, then David Mershon had a two-run double to right center.
“Connor has always been a very aggressive base runner, so that changed the whole dynamic of the game, and we were able to open stretch the lead,” Lemonis said. “These guys have been super gritty all year, so every time something goes the other way they've responded and that's the sign of a really good team. These guys
are starting to build confidence and feeling good about each other.”
Tyler Davis (4-0) got the win in relief on the mound for the Bulldogs. The MSU bullpen allowed one hit over the final five innings. Starter Pico Kohn was voted the Most Valuable Player for the game.
“It's huge to get this win going into this weekend,” Davis said. “We just got prepared and ready to do the job.”
Dakota Jordan went 3-for-5 at the plate to lead the Bulldogs offensively. After losing the series in Oxford three weeks ago, Jordan wanted revenge.
“I just remember going home sick after that series and preaching to the other guys how big this game was,” Jordan said. “We just wanted to come out here, play our game the best to our ability and do whatever we have to do to win.”
Mason Morris (1-2) took the loss on the mound for the Rebels, who saw their record fall to 23-21.
“Tough night for us offensively,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said. “We pitched really well until we got to the eighth. Runs can be at a premium in this park and we got to do a better job with the bats.”
MSU is hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend, while Ole Miss has made the trip to Auburn.