MSU drops Governor’s Cup contest to Ole Miss

PEARL, Miss. – A fast start by Ole Miss meant trouble for the Mississippi State baseball team Tuesday night.

The Rebels scored a pair of runs in the first inning and cruised to an 11-1 victory in the Governor’s Cup contest played before 6,830 at Trustmark Park.

Ole Miss pounded out 15 hits and scored double-figure runs for the third time in the history of the Mayor’s Trophy/Governor’s Cup. MSU had won the last two non-conference meetings between the Southeastern Conference rivals.

“We had a difficult night throwing strikes and staying ahead of hitters,” MSU head coach John Cohen said. “They had some really good at-bats and made things tough. It’s a quick turnaround and we have to get ready for a big series with LSU this weekend.”

In the Ole Miss first inning, J.B. Woodman and Will Golsan each singled before Colby Bortles ripped a two-run double.

Ole Miss (24-22) extended the lead to 7-0 with five runs on six hits in the third inning. Kyle Watson and Cameron Dishon each had RBI-singles, while Connor Cloyd had a two-run single.

Ole Miss then ran the lead to 11-0 with four scores in the sixth inning. Austin Knight had an RBI-double, while Dishon had an RBI-single and Cloyd had a two-run single.

MSU (23-22) broke up the shutout with an RBI-single by Luke Reynolds in the eighth inning. The Bulldogs did threaten early, stranding two runners in the second inning and three runners in the third inning.

For the contest, Ole Miss finished with 15 hits. Cloyd had three hits and four RBIs, while Golsan, Bortles, Knight and Sikes Orvis each had multiple hits.

MSU finished with eight hits. Reynolds had three hits, while Jake Vickerson had two hits. Reynolds now has seven hits in his last eight at-bats.

Ole Miss senior right-handed starter Scott Weathersby (3-1) pitched seven innings, while allowing six hits and no runs, with three strikeouts and a walk. Sam Smith finished the contest.

MSU starter Ross Mitchell (3-3) was lifted with one out in the third inning and took the loss. Mitchell allowed five hits and four runs (all earned), with one strikeout and two walks. Levi Mintz, Vance Tatum, Daniel Brown and Dakota Hudson and Trent Waddell each pitched in relief.

The Bulldogs return to Dudy Noble Field for their final home games of the season this weekend. MSU takes on No. 1 LSU in a Southeastern Conference three-game weekend series. The Bulldogs and Tigers meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday (ESPNU), 7 p.m. Friday (ESPNU) and 3 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2).

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