Three Takeaways From Mississippi State Baseball's Series Win Over Ole Miss

The latest Super Bulldog Weekend was one that will live in the memories of Bulldog fans for a very long time with a number of positives across multiple sports, including baseball.

The Bulldogs defeated their arch rival Ole Miss in Dudy-Noble Field over the weekend, making it the seventh-straight series victory over the Rebels. The Bulldogs are now 21-6 against the Rebels since 2016.

The weekend victory also broke records in college baseball. Game two on Saturday saw a crowd of over 16,423 fans fill the seats at Duly-Noble Field, setting the NCAA all-time record for on-campus attendance.

Meanwhile, the series itself saw 43,986 fans in attendance over the course of the series, which sets an all-time school record for attendance in baseball.

“It was an unbelievable environment this weekend,” Bulldog pitcher Aaron Nixon said “Being out there with these great fans, it was a great weekend. Biggest crowd in history, biggest rivalry, whatever, it was awesome.”

With everything set and done, here are three takeaways from the Bulldogs' series victory over the Rebels.

Dakota Jordan Is Something Special

Freshman outfielder Dakota Jordan is slowly turning into a clutch player and serious contributor for the Bulldogs' roster.

In Game 1, he striked out to end the game in a 3-2 loss, only to immediately respond the next day, when Jordan walked off the Rebels on a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jordan went 2-for-5 at bat with two RBI's.

“Dakota’s been real good, and we felt like we’d get a pitch to hit,” Bulldog head coach Chris Lemonis said following Jordan's walk-off win. “Special moment for him. I’m sure one we’ll remember for the rest of his life. It was a good at bat for them.”

Jordan continued that success in game three, hitting a three-run home run, while going 2-for-4 at bat with three RBI's. Jordan is a player to look out for as the Bulldogs move forward through the season.

Bulldog Bullpen Helps Team To Victory

Despite the troubles and injuries during the season, the Bulldogs' bullpen performed well when it came to playing against their in-state rivals.

Game one was a pitching duel despite the loss, with pitcher Cade Smith starting for the Bulldogs. Smith pitched for four innings, recording four strikeouts while allowing one earned run.

Freshman pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje started for the Bulldogs in game three, putting up one of his best pitching performances of the season. He held the Rebels scoreless through four innings while recording seven strikeouts. He also allowed only three walks and only one earned run while on the mound.

Bulldogs pitcher Aaron Nixon closed out the game, pitching 2.2 innings while holding the Rebels to just one hit, helping secure the Bulldogs' seventh-straight series victory over the Rebels.

The Bigger Picture

With their series win over the Rebels, Mississippi State sits at an overall record of 22-15, including 5-10 in SEC play. The Bulldogs have jumped both Ole Miss and Auburn to take fifth place in the SEC West, trailing Alabama in the standings.

Despite their record, the Bulldogs are slowly picking up momentum in the SEC. The Bulldogs have won two-straight series in SEC play, and they have the opportunity to make it three when they travel to play Auburn this weekend.

"It’s just momentum," coach Lemonis said after clinching the series on Sunday. "We need it conference play wise. We need to get every game we can back. It’s week to week. The SEC games are so important to us as you’re going to postseason."