Mississippi State secured its first series sweep of Ole Miss since 2019, beating the No. 17 Rebels 7-3 at Trustmark Park. The win marked the Bulldogs’ first Governor’s Cup victory since 2019, with officials reporting an attendance of 8,223 fans, the third-largest in Trustmark Park history, according to event organizers.
The Bulldogs (35-10, 13-8 SEC) jumped to an early lead with four runs in the first inning. Jacob Parker, a freshman from Purvis, and Kevin Milewski, a Seton Hall transfer, led the offense with two hits and two RBIs each. Parker described the neutral-site game as a unique experience, noting the different atmosphere compared to their usual venues.
On the mound, Mississippi State’s Brendan Sweeney started with three scoreless innings. Relievers Maddox Miller and Dane Burns finished the game, with Burns earning the save after holding Ole Miss scoreless in the final two innings. The staff combined for 13 strikeouts, demonstrating strong pitching performance, according to the team.
Head coach Chris O’Connor, in his debut season, emphasized the significance of winning the Governor’s Cup. He recounted a conversation with university President Mark Keenum, who emphasized the rivalry’s importance. O’Connor said the team was proud to bring the trophy back to Starkville.
Ole Miss (31-15, 11-10 SEC) struggled offensively, hitting just .161 and going 2-12 with runners on base. The Rebels threatened in the fifth inning but failed to capitalize, with Judd Utermark striking out with bases loaded to end the inning. The Rebels scored a pair of runs in the sixth but could not overcome the early deficit. Their pitching staff held the Bulldogs to six hits and six strikeouts over six innings of relief, according to officials.
Mississippi State now prepares for a weekend series against No. 4 Texas, while Ole Miss heads to face No. 22 Arkansas, according to team schedules.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
