Taylor HillIn the highly anticipated Governors Cup, No. 16 Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss with an eighth inning surge that turned into a decisive 5-1 victory.
After a quiet first inning, Ole Miss took the lead in the top of the second. Sophomore Judd Utermark hit a solo home run to left field, giving the Rebels a 1-0 advantage.
Mississippi State heated things up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Joe Powell scored the Bulldogs’ first run thanks to a single up the middle from Hunter Hines. The game remained tied through the sixth and seventh innings.
At the bottom of the eighth, State took control of the game. Conner Hujsak took the lead for the Dogs off a fielder’s choice. The Rebels helped State extend their lead by walking a batter with the bases loaded.
With Joe Powell on second and Ethan Pulliam on third, David Mershon hit a double to right-center field, driving Powell and Pulliam to give State a 5-1 lead.
The Rebels had runners on in the ninth, but could not rally to make a comeback.
Weak Rebel defense and pitching cost them the lead and the chance to win the Governor’s Cup.
