The annual Governor’s Cup rivalry game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss is set to take center stage tonight at Trustmark Park in Pearl, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs and Rebels will meet for the first of four times this season. The two rivals will meet up May 9-11 for a SEC Series in Starkville.
Ole Miss enters the contest ranked No. 23 in the D1Baseball poll and No. 18 in both the USA Today and Perfect Game rankings. The Rebels have posted a 28-12 overall record and a 10-8 mark in SEC play, surpassing their win total from last season. However, they have struggled in recent weeks, dropping their last two conference series and a midweek game against Little Rock. Ole Miss boasts a powerful lineup, leading the SEC in walks drawn and ranking among the top teams nationally in home runs, slugging percentage, and stolen bases.
Mississippi State, meanwhile, comes into the game with a 24-16 overall record and a 6-12 SEC mark. The Bulldogs have won six of the last seven Governor’s Cup meetings and hold a 258-216-5 advantage in the all-time series. MSU is looking to bounce back after losing two of three games to Florida last weekend, though they salvaged the series finale with a 14-8 victory. Junior right-hander Noah Sullivan is expected to start for the Bulldogs, while Ole Miss will counter with freshman Cade Townsend.
Players to Watch forÂ
For Ole Miss, keep an eye on Luke Hill, who is riding a 24-game on-base streak and has been a consistent force at the plate. Austin Fawley has been on a power surge, hitting five home runs in his last six games, including a grand slam against South Carolina. The Rebels also lead the SEC in total walks drawn, with Luke Hill, Will Furniss, and Hayden Federico all boasting more walks than strikeouts.
On the Mississippi State side, Gehrig Frei is coming off a huge performance against Florida, where he hit two home runs and drove in five runs. Noah Sullivan is expected to start on the mound for the Bulldogs, bringing a 1.50 ERA into the game. Mississippi State has won six of the last seven Governor’s Cup meetings, and they’ll be looking to continue that dominance tonight
Both teams will be eager to claim bragging rights in the Magnolia State, with postseason implications looming. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and available via ESPN+
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