Mississippi State did not change the formula Sunday, it just kept following it.
For the third straight game, the Bulldogs fell behind early, worked their way back and finished late, defeating LSU 13-8 at Dudy Noble Field to complete the series sweep.
The start looked familiar.
LSU struck first again, using early traffic to build momentum in the opening inning. Cade Arrambide delivered the big swing, launching a three-run home run that gave the Tigers a quick 3-0 lead before Mississippi State could settle in. It was the same position the Bulldogs had seen the previous two nights, and once again, they were forced to respond early.
Mississippi State responded in the second. After working traffic and building pressure, Ace Reese delivered the first big swing for the Bulldogs, launching a two-out home run that tied the game at 3-3 and erased LSU’s early advantage.
Then LSU answered again. In the third, Steven Milam delivered a two-run home run to push the Tigers back in front, and LSU continued to apply pressure through the middle innings. By the sixth, LSU had built an 8-5 lead behind a triple from Mason Braun and a two-run home run from Omar Serna Jr., creating separation and forcing Mississippi State to chase the game once more.
Mississippi State chipped away before the breakthrough.
In the fifth, Noah Sullivan delivered an RBI double, and Jacob Parker followed with a productive out to tie the game at 5-5, keeping the Bulldogs within reach and preventing LSU from fully taking control. It was not a big inning. It was just enough to stay in it.
Then came the inning that changed everything – the sixth.
Mississippi State built it from the top. Kevin Milewski worked a walk, and Bryce Chance followed with a single to create traffic. A throwing error allowed two runs to score, immediately cutting into the deficit and shifting momentum. From there, the pressure never stopped.
Ace Reese delivered the game-tying RBI, and the lineup continued to roll behind Noah Sullivan, forcing LSU to keep making plays. Blake Bevis followed with the go-ahead hit, pushing Mississippi State in front 9-8 and flipping the game completely. What had been controlled by LSU suddenly belonged to the Bulldogs.
Mississippi State’s pitching stabilized things, and the offense took control. The Bulldogs added on in the seventh, continuing to apply pressure rather than sitting on the lead, and broke the game open in the eighth. Aidan Teel delivered a solo home run, and Gehrig Frei added an RBI double as Mississippi State extended the lead to 13-8 and removed any late drama.
LSU had its chances early. Mississippi State took them away late.
The Bulldogs did not just respond in Game 3. They finished it, turning a one-run lead into a statement win over the final innings.
Mississippi State fell behind in all three games. Mississippi State won all three anyway.
It was not always clean, and it was not always comfortable, but it was consistent. The Bulldogs handled adversity, built innings when they needed to and executed late when the game tightened.
With the win, the Bulldogs complete the sweep, extend their winning streak and carry momentum into the Governor’s Cup against Ole Miss in Pearl at Trustmark Park at 6 p.m.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
