Rebels break string against Bulldogs

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
April 3, 2003
JACKSON The No. 5-ranked Mississippi State University baseball team entered the 24th annual Mayor's Trophy game gunning for its 24th win of the season Tuesday night.
But numerical symmetry in the win column didn't play out for the Bulldogs (23-4-1, 8-1 Southeastern Conference) at Smith-Wills Stadium, as the Ole Miss Rebels (18-10, 5-4 SEC) picked up a 5-1 win in front of 5,689.
Ole Miss held off a four-game sweep, MSU won three consecutive games last weekend, in the two squads' fourth meeting in five days.
The numbers that did the most damage to MSU was No. 5, as in the fifth inning, and No. 38, Bulldogs relief pitcher Brooks Dunn.
Ole Miss separated itself in the bottom of the fifth, while holding onto a 2-1 lead, against Dunn.
The MSU freshman left-hander gave up a leadoff single to Ole Miss center fielder Seth Smith, the first batter he faced.
Dunn was able to strike out the next batter he faced, but Rebels first baseman Stephen Head singled to center field to put runners on first and second.
The Bulldogs reliever loaded the base hitting the next batter he faced.
Rebels catcher Charlie Waite ended Dunn's brief night on the mound lining a bases-loaded double to bring home Smith and Head for a 4-1 lead.
Ole Miss second baseman Matt Tolbert finished the scoring in the inning with a single to right field to bring home Waite for a four-run lead.
The Bulldogs didn't help their own cause putting up lackluster offensive numbers against the Rebels.
MSU mustered only seven hits in the loss, which snapped a nine-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs' batters were sent back to the bullpen in order in five of the nine innings.
MSU also tallied thirteen fly outs in the contest.
The only numbers that fell in favor for the Bulldogs occurred in the top of the fifth inning.
MSU's Winston Pearson and Jon Mungle put together back-to-back doubles for their squad's lone run of the contest in the fifth.
Ole Miss got strong numbers, especially from its freshman-starting pitcher Brae Wright (2-1).
The left-hander picked up the win allowing just two hits in six innings of work, with two strikeouts and no walks.
Wright was cruising through the game until strained his lower back in the top of the seventh inning.
Ole Miss red-shirt freshman Anthony Cupps picked up were Wright left off allowing five hits and recorded two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of work.
Rebels first baseman/pitcher Stephen Head closed the game inducing a ground out to second base.
Ole Miss tallied 11 hits in the game led by Waite's 2-for-3 performance, with two RBIs.
Rebels second baseman Matt Tolbert went 1-for-3, with one RBI, and left fielder Jonathan Swearingen went 2-for-4.