Hattiesburg Heat: Southern Miss Baseball Edges No. 4 Mississippi State in In-State Clash
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss cemented its place in the national conversation, defeating No. 4 Mississippi State on Tuesday night at Pete Taylor Park.
The matchup lived up to its billing, with a postseason atmosphere in March. Before 5,716 fans, the Golden Eagles used elite pitching and timely hitting for a signature win over their rival.
Pitching Duel Defines the Night
Freshman Dylan Causey held his own for Southern Miss against the potent Bulldogs. Mississippi State’s Brendan Sweeney, making his first start, showed flashes but couldn’t stop the Golden Eagles’ disciplined offense.
The Southern Miss baseball staff utilized its bullpen effectively late in the game, shutting down a Mississippi State offense that had been averaging over 10 runs per contest. The Bulldogs, coming off a heartbreaking 10-inning loss to No. 1 UCLA, struggled to find the big hit with runners in scoring position.
Key Game Moments
- Early Spark: Southern Miss took an early lead, capitalizing on defensive mistakes to pressure the Bulldogs.
- Bulldog Rally: Mississippi State showed life in the middle innings behind Bryce Chance and Ace Reese, but the Golden Eagle defense held tight.
- Closing the Door: Southern Miss’s closer managed a tense ninth inning to preserve the lead and spark a celebration.
The Road Ahead
The victory marks a significant milestone for head coach Christian Ostrander and the Southern Miss baseball team, who are currently riding a wave of momentum following a sweep of Louisiana Tech last weekend.
For Mississippi State, it’s a second straight loss after an 11-0 start. The Bulldogs now regroup before a Lipscomb series in Starkville.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Starkville on March 24, when the Bulldogs will look to even the season series on their home turf at Dudy Noble Field.

