Diamond Dogs Take Governor's Cup Matchup From Rebels With 6-5 Victory

Tuesday, April 15

Pearl, Miss.

6:30 p.m.

Mississippi State

15-21

Mississippi

24-13

Ole Miss

Mississippi State

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Diamond Dogs Take Governor's Cup Matchup From Rebels With 6-5 Victory

April 15, 2008 | Baseball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

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PEARL, Miss. - A Tyler Moore double brought home Grant Hogue with the go-ahead run as Mississippi State defeated Mississippi 6-5 to win the second annual Governor's Cup matchup Tuesday night.

The in-state rivals finish the season series playing to a 2-2 tie after the Bulldogs snagged victory before a crowd of 7,862 at Trustmark Park, home of the Class AA Mississippi Braves minor-league club.

MSU is now 5-0 all-time in the three-year existence of Trustmark Park. The Bulldogs also knocked off the Rebels in the annual non-conference clash for a second straight season, winning 14-9 at this same location last year.

MSU is now 15-21, while 13th-ranked Ole Miss is 24-13.

In the MSU eighth inning, Grant Hogue drew a leadoff walk from UM reliever Nathan Baker (1-4). Baker also allowed a single to right field by Ryan Collins. Jake Morgan entered from the Rebels' bullpen. Morgan faced one batter, getting a flyout from Jason Nappi. Justin Cryer then followed Morgan to the mound. Moore ripped a double to right field, scoring Hogue with the go-ahead run. A walk to Cody Freeman loaded the bases but back-to-back popups ended that threat.

Aaron Weatherford (1-0) picked up his first victory of the year, throwing the 1-2/3 innings for the Bulldogs. Weatherford allowed an inherited runner to plate an unearned run in the eighth inning. In the ninth inning, the MSU closer gave up a one-out hit before the closing the deal with a strikeout and groundout.

Ole Miss struck first in the third inning. Kyle Mills opened the inning with a hard-hit double to right center field. Sean Stuyverson advanced Mills to third base on a sacrifice. A passed ball then scored Mills with the game's first run.

The Bulldogs answered in their half of the third inning. WIth one out, Grant Hogue drew a full-count walk. Ryan Collins followed with a ground-rule double to right center field. An RBI-groundout by Jason Nappi scored Hogue to tie the game 1-1.

MSU grabbed the lead an inning later. Cody Freeman started things with a bloop single to left field. After a strikeout, Jet Butler also singled to left. After a flyout, Ryan Powers connected for a two-out RBI-single, scoring Freeman. Grant Hogue legged out a misplayed ground ball, scoring Butler for a 3-1 MSU lead.

Ole Miss retook the lead with three runs in the sixth inning.. Fuller Smith drew a full-count walk to start things. Jeremy Travis and Logan Power followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases. Michael Busby entered in relief of MSU starter Tyler Whitney. Cody Overbeck greeted Busby, by lining a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring Smith. Busby got another out before walking to Zach Miller to re-load the bases. Forrest Moore in relief of Busby. Moore was touched for a two-run single by pinch-hitter Cullan Kight, giving the Rebels a 4-3 lead.

The Bulldogs then responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the seventh inning. Tyler Moore started things with a single. Cody Freeman then executed a perfect bunt, which was fielded and thrown away by the Ole Miss first baseman. After a groundout, Jet Butler followed with a double down the left field line, scoring a pair of runs.

Ole Miss tied the game again with a single score in the eighth inning. Power drew a leadoff walk from Moore. After a balk call moved Power to second base, Moore got a groundout before giving way to Weatherford, who struck out back-to-back batters to end the frame but not before Power tied the game, scoring on a catcher overthrow while trying to steal third base.

The Bulldogs finished with 10 hits. Collins, Moore and Butler each had multiple hits for MSU.

The Rebels finished with seven hits. Mills had two doubles and was the lone multiple hitter for Ole Miss.

Whitney started on the mound for the Bulldogs. Whitney threw 5-plus innings, allowing five hits and five runs (four earned), with one walk and two strikeouts. Busby threw 2/3 inning, before Moore entered and pitched 1-2/3 innings. Weatherford then completed the contest.

Brett Buckvich started on the mound for the Rebels. Buckvich threw 3-2/3 innings, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned), with two walks and five strikeouts. Rory McKean threw two innings in relief, before being followed by Baker, Morgan and Cryer.

The Bulldogs return to Southeastern Conference play this weekend, traveling to Alabama for a weekend series with the Crimson Tide. Game times at Sewell-Thomas Stadium are 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.