OXFORD, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs lost the series to their rival, Ole Miss. MSU got off to a hot start with an 8-0 win in game one, but it fell apart after that. 

What stood out from Swayze Field?

True Ace

Mississippi State has not had a bonafide ace since Will Bednar, and at times this year, it looked like they would be without one again. However, Khal Stephen has proven to be just that for MSU, and the Indiana native pitched his best game to date in game one. 

The Purdue transfer only lasted two innings a season ago against the Rebels but pitched eight scoreless with nine strikeouts this year. He does not have the typical overpowering stuff, but he competes in the zone well and does not beat himself. 

Stephen has quickly become one of the top arms in the SEC and will give his team a chance to win every Friday. 

Old Issues

In game two, the Bulldogs seemed poised to take the series as they held a 7-3 lead going into the bottom of the eighth. However, the bullpen could not hold the lead as Cam Schuelke and Tyler Davis gave up the lead. 

After a Hunter Hines home run, the Bulldogs turned to Karson Ligon to try to close it out. The Miami transfer could not do so as he walked a pair of batters, and Amani Larry could not make a tough play to end the game.

Once again, the offense came through as Johnny Long launched a solo home run in the top of the 12th. True freshman Nolan Stevens was given the ball to close it out, and he struggled as he hit a batter and walked a pair to load the bases with one out. 

Ole Miss took advantage as Jackson Ross lined a walk-off single into left field. That was the third SEC game in which the bullpen has blown a late lead, and it is tough to win like that. 

A lack of clutch hits was another issue for the Bulldogs that seemed to be buried. However, it was resurrected as nobody in the lineup could get a big hit with runners on base. 

The offense put up nine runs in game two but did not play well, leaving 11 runners on base. 

Designated Hitter

This spot in the lineup has been a struggle for MSU all season. Aaron Downs has gotten most of the reps lately but has been slumping.

Michael O’Brien and Steven Spalitta drew starts at the DH spot in the final two games, and like Downs, they struggled. Someone needs to step up and bring some production to that spot in the lineup because, right now, it is an automatic out. 

Embarrassing 

Mississippi State has done an excellent job bouncing back this season when adversity hits. However, they could not do that after a heartbreaking game two loss as they seemed unprepared for the rubber match and got run off the field by Ole Miss. 

Pitchers were not competing, and many bats did not even look competitive. 

The Bulldogs had a chance to continue building momentum, but they failed to do so in game two, and they let it carry over to the rubber match. This team has been on the ropes this season, but this weekend could have been the knockout punch as they dropped the first series to the Rebels since 2015.