Dubbed by fans as the “cardiac dawgs,” the Mississippi State baseball team stayed true to form in an extra-innings thriller against St. John’s in the opening round of the Charlottesville Regional.
With two outs and baserunners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th inning, Canton native Dakota Jordan stepped up to the plate amid the biggest slump of his collegiate career. Despite being unable to put a ball in play all night, Jordan evened up what was once an 0-2 count, then hit a no-doubter to defeat the Johnnies 5-2.
SportsTalk Mississippi’s own Richard Cross could be heard on the televised broadcast.
MISSISSIPPI STATE WALKS IT OFF IN THE 10TH‼️ pic.twitter.com/KY0bVtEEtp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 1, 2024
Mississippi State, a two-seed in the regional, struck first blood in the postseason contest. A two-run shot by Logan Kohler put the Bulldogs up 2-0. A single roped to center field by Marty Higgins allowed two Johnnies baserunners to reach home plate, knotting things up in the top of the fourth. Both teams’ bats then dried up until the walk-off in extras.
Jordan, who was recently recognized as the top college baseball player in Mississippi, had only recorded one hit in the past five games. But the great Pete Rose once said, “Don’t overthink it. Don’t over-adjust. Don’t change your stance or your overall approach.” Jordan appeared to have heeded that advice and simultaneously propelled his team to the winner’s bracket of the regional.
Late-game heroics by the sophomore slugger may have inked the game in maroon and white, but the consistency of Bulldog pitcher Khal Stephen paved the road to victory. Stephen struck out 10 batters through eight innings of work and surrendered just two runs all night. He was ultimately the victor in a pitcher’s duel versus Xavier Kolhosser who struck out seven Bulldogs and only gave up two runs in 8.2 innings pitched.
Mississippi State closer Tyler Davis was credited with the win. He struck out one batter and did not allow a run in two innings pitched.
Next up for Chris Lemonis’ squad is a matchup versus top-seeded Virginia on Saturday at 6 p.m. central. That game can be watched on ESPN+ and listened to on participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations.
