MSU Baseball Run-Rules Southern Miss 12-0, Sets Attendance Record

STARKVILLE — No. 6 Mississippi State baseball emphatically avenged its recent loss to Southern Miss, blanking the No. 13 Golden Eagles 12-0 in a run-rule victory Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs (21-4) delivered a dominant performance in all phases of the game, securing their best 25-game start since 2019 and drawing a record midweek crowd of 12,887.

The win marked a swift turnaround for Mississippi State, which fell to Southern Miss 7-6 in Hattiesburg just 21 days prior. Tuesday’s contest, however, was a different story. The Bulldogs wasted no time establishing control, erupting for nine runs over the first three innings and leaving little doubt about the outcome.

Mississippi State’s offensive onslaught began immediately. Three runs in the first inning, fueled by a two-run single from Gehrig Frei and an RBI single from Ryder Woodson, chased Southern Miss starter Thomas Crabtree from the game after only one out. The Bulldogs continued to build their lead in the second, with Noah Sullivan driving in Aidan Teel. The third inning proved decisive, highlighted by a three-run home run from freshman Jacob Parker and a two-run shot by Teel, extending the lead to 9-0.

Teel finished the night a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs scored and two RBIs, leading a Mississippi State offense that totaled 14 hits. Woodson added another RBI single in the fourth, and Reed Stallman capped the scoring with a two-run single in the fifth, pushing the advantage to 12-0.

Equally impressive was Mississippi State’s pitching performance. Starter Chris Billingsley Jr. Pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two. Freshman Jack Bauer earned his first collegiate win in relief, retiring all four batters he faced and reaching 100 mph on the radar gun. The Bulldogs combined for a seven-hit shutout, striking out 12 batters without issuing a single walk – a testament to their depth and control on the mound.

The dominant victory comes at a crucial juncture in the season for the Bulldogs. While Mississippi State is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, the SEC schedule is rapidly approaching. The team is navigating the early season without weekend starter Ryan McPherson, who is currently sidelined with an undisclosed arm injury after undergoing an MRI on March 22nd. The pitching depth displayed Tuesday, particularly the strong showing from Bauer, will be vital as the season progresses.

Mississippi State will now turn its attention to a three-game series at Ole Miss starting March 27th. Southern Miss will return home to host Appalachian State for a three-game set beginning on the same date. The Bulldogs’ performance against their in-state rival will be a key indicator of their ability to contend for a conference championship.