With ace pitcher Ross Mitchell on the mound, Mississippi State fans had to feel good about the Bulldogs' chances Friday night, but Ole Miss got to Mitchell, and the Rebels walked away with a 6-1 win Friday night at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.
The Rebels wasted no time getting ahead scoring two runs in the top of the first and adding another run in the top of the second. Mississippi State got one run back in the bottom of the third when Derrick Armstrong scored on an RBI ground out by Alex Detz.
Ole Miss picked up another two runs in the top of the fourth and a final insurance run in the ninth to set the final margin.
In the loss Mitchell (5-3) went most of the way for Mississippi State, pitching 8 2/3 innings, helping save the bullpen for action later this weekend.
The simple fact remains that Mississippi State's offense remains in a rut, and as such, the pitching staff has no room for error. While the Bulldogs pounded out ten hits in the contest, they rarely came in situations to produce runs as evidenced by Mississippi State leaving nine runners on base.
Matthew Britton and Seth Heck, and Armstrong picked up two hits for Mississippi State in the contest, and C.T. Bradford, Jake Vickerson, Brett Pirtle, and Wes Rea all had a hit for the Bulldogs as well.
As for Mitchell, he was due to have a rocky outing. Fans should not walk away fearing that he is all but finished.