In one of the season’s most anticipated mid-week nonconference games between the Troy Trojans from the Sun Belt and Mississippi State Bulldogs from the Southeastern Conference, Tuesday night a Dudy Noble was the place to be for an instant classic baseball game from the Bulldogs and Trojans. Heading into the matchup between the two, the anticipation before the first pitch felt similar to an NCAA Tournament Regional at Dudy Noble Field, as Troy needed a signature win, and the Bulldogs desperately needed a mid-week win over a team from the Sun Belt after falling to Southern Miss last Tuesday night.

21 Troy jumped out on Mississippi State, taking a 1-0 lead in the top half of the second before extending that lead to 5-0 with four runs in the top half of the 5th inning. However, the Bulldogs would string together five unanswered with four runs coming in the bottom of the 5th and another run off a base hit from Ace Reese, scoring Gehrig Frei to tie the game at five.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th inning with one out, the Mississippi State Bulldogs had all the momentum. Still, Grady Gorgen for Troy retired the side, taking all the momentum away from the Bulldogs, as the game remained tied at five heading to the 9th inning.

A solo shot from Steven Meier would give the visiting Troy Trojans a 6-5 lead over Mississippi State in the top half of the 9th. Up for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the 9th would be Bryce Chance, Reed Stallman, and Aaron Downs. After a fly out to right field for Bryce Chance, Reed Stallman would give the Bulldogs some hope with a double with one out and Aaron Downs stepping up to the plate. Downs would reach base with a walk, bringing Cupp to the plate, who hit into a double play at second, giving Troy a 6-5 win over Mississippi State on Tuesday night.

Mississippi State will now hit the road for a three-game set in the Astros College Classic with the likeness of Rice on Friday, Arizona on Saturday, and Oklahoma State on Sunday.

The Bulldogs’ next home game will be a week from tonight at Dudy Noble Field, a rematch with Southern Miss.

Photo Credits- Troy Baseball on X