For a minute in the top of the eighth, it appeared that Mississippi State had taken a commanding lead over Ole Miss and were just six outs away from wrapping up a series win. Ole Miss decided otherwise, tying the game with four runs in the bottom of that inning, then coming from behind twice more to capture a 10-9 win over their rivals from Starkville.
Ole Miss walks off State in 12 innings to tie the series! pic.twitter.com/9xVhFmLRfg
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 14, 2024
State led 7-3 in the eighth, but Bulldog reliever Cam Schuelke was tagged for three hits to pull the Rebels within 1. After a pitching change, Ethan Groff doubled to bring in the tying run. The teams would play two scoreless frames before State’s Hunter Hines unloaded on a pitch to give the Bulldogs a lead.
OH MY!!!! BIG GAME HUNTER!
📺» https://t.co/ycjAPlreGA#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/XWaLLUa6hi
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) April 14, 2024
The Rebels would retaliate in the bottom of the 11th, scoring off a single, wild pitch, and an error. In the 12th, the most improbable Bulldog to hit a home run did exactly that, as catcher Johnny Long put a shot into his own team’s bullpen to grab a 9-8 lead. His celebration led to a fiery rant by Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco, that was picked up on the stadium mic. Bianco was ejected following that, but his team found a way without him. In the bottom of the 12th, State’s freshman reliever Nolan Stevens loaded the bases without a hit before giving up a two out single to Rebel first baseman Jackson Ross that set off a huge celebration for the home squad.
REBS WALK IT OFF pic.twitter.com/1osCNNunnG
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 14, 2024
Ole Miss goes to 19-16, 4-10 in the SEC, and Mississippi State falls to 22-13 and back to .500 in conference play at 7-7. The rubber game will be tomorrow at 1:30, with Ole Miss throwing junior right hander Mason Nichols. Mississippi State coach Chris Lemonis said in postgame he had not made a decison on the Bulldogs’ starter.
