Following Dakota Jordan’s heroics on Friday night, the Bulldogs had another monster game against the Regional Host, the Virginia Cavaliers, on Saturday night. A lot would be on the line for the Bulldogs and the Cavaliers, as both were fighting for a spot in the Regional Championship game on Sunday night, also avoiding an elimination game on Sunday morning, giving an unbelievable advantage to the winner on Saturday night as they would need one win to reach the Super Regionals next weekend. The loser would have to turn around and face St. John’s in an elimination game on Sunday morning.

Virginia made an early move, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Hunter Hines stepped up and launched a powerful three-run shot at the top of the third. This game-changing moment not only turned the tables but also gave the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead over Virginia. The Bulldogs didn’t stop there, with Bryce Chance adding another run by stealing third on a wild throw, extending their lead to 4-2.

The game took an unexpected turn in the bottom of the 7th inning when Virginia managed to earn back the two runs it had lost earlier. This twist in the tale added a sense of unpredictability and excitement to the matchup, keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.

Mississippi State would have an opportunity to be at the top of the 8th, yet stranded runners in second and third.

Jurrangelo Cijntje gave Mississippi State seven complete innings on Saturday night, giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out five. Tyson Hardin would replace Cijntje in the bottom of the 8th. Hardin would get the job done at the bottom of the 8th, giving Mississippi State a chance at the top of the 9th to score some runs.

Joe Powell, Amani Larry, and David Mershon will lead off for Mississippi State in the top half of the 9th. Powell and Larry would strike out before David Mershon took ball four to earn a base runner with two outs. Dakota Jordan would knock a base hit, moving Mershon to third with Hunter Hines stepping into the batter’s box. Hunter Hines would ground out, sending the game to the bottom of the 9th.

Virginia would walk it off in the bottom of the 9th as Amani Larry had a chance to turn a double play, sending it to extras, but fumbled the opportunity away.

Saturday night was a brutal loss for Mississippi State, and the Bulldogs have nobody to blame but themselves. Sunday will be about having a short-term memory and putting this one behind the Bulldogs as they look to bounce back and extend the season by a few hours, at the very least.