Ole Miss takes series over MSU for the first time in nine years

Many sports fans turned their attention to Augusta, Georgia, where the 90th Masters tournament took place this weekend. But in the great state of Mississippi, two of the last three National Collegiate Athletic Association baseball champions faced off for bragging rights.

Mississippi State came into this week as the winner of the last nine series against the Ole Miss Rebels.

Game 1 Friday night went to the Bulldogs 8-0 shutting out the Rebels at Swayze field. Game 2 was a bit more interesting, as the Bulldogs looked to pull this game out after taking a two-run lead through the 7th, but the Rebels would tie the game in the 8th, scoring four runs.

The game needed extra innings to be decided, and after Bulldog’s Johnny Long bat flip, coach Bianco had enough of confronting the home plate umpire about Long’s antics. Bianco was thrown out, but it may have been the best move for the Rebels baseball team all weekend.

The Rebels win the game in the 12th off a sacrifice fly, winning 10-9.

The Rebels went into Sunday’s series-deciding game extremely motivated, taking the series 14-2 and defeating instate rival MSU off the run rule.

It’s the Rebels’ first series win over the Bulldogs in nine years. Could it be another spark to finish the season? As the Old saying goes, “Don’t let the Rebs get hot.”