No. 4 State Falls To Fifth-Ranked Georgia Late

Friday, April 3

Starkville

6 p.m.

Mississippi State

25-6, 7-4

Georgia

26-6, 9-2

Georgia

Mississippi State

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

No. 4 State Falls To Fifth-Ranked Georgia Late

April 03, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

STARKVILLE - No. 5 Georgia used a trio of late-inning swings to spoil a strong start by No. 4 Mississippi State, rallying for a 3-1 victory Friday night at Dudy Noble Field.

MSU struck first but couldn't capitalize on early opportunities, leaving 13 runners on base as UGA's bullpen slammed the door over the final four innings.

State manufactured its lone run in the first inning without a hit. Aidan Teel and Ace Reese worked back-to-back walks before Noah Sullivan moved them into scoring position. Reed Stallman followed with an RBI groundout to give Mississippi State a 1-0 lead.

That advantage held deep into the game behind a dominant outing from left-hander Tomas Valincius. He struck out 10 and allowed just four hits over 7 1/3 innings, keeping UGA off balance through six scoreless frames.

Georgia finally broke through in the seventh when Michael O'Shaughnessy launched a solo home run to right, tying the game at 1-1.

UGA carried that momentum into the eighth as Ryan Wynn opened the inning with a go-ahead solo shot, chasing Valincius and putting State behind for the first time.

Mississippi State threatened throughout the night, drawing eight walks and putting runners aboard in nearly every inning, but couldn't deliver a timely hit. The Bulldogs finished with just five hits and stranded multiple runners in scoring position during key middle innings.

Georgia added an insurance run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Kolby Branch following a stolen base and passed ball, extending the lead to 3-1.

UGA's bullpen trio of Paul Farley and Matt Scott combined to hold MSU scoreless over the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing just three hits and working around traffic. Farley earned the win, while Scott picked up the save.

Mississippi State fell to 25-6 overall and 7-4 in SEC play, while Georgia improved to 26-6 and 9-2 in conference action.

MSU attempts to salvage the series finale on Saturday at 10 a.m. on SEC Network+. State will send sophomore right-hander Duke Stone (5-0, 3.66 ERA) to the mound against UGA sophomore southpaw Kenny Ishikawa (1-1, 9.82 ERA).

The 2026 Ron Polk Ring of Honor induction ceremony will take place 45 minutes after the final out at the southwest atrium of Humphrey Coliseum. Attendees should enter at the Richard and Sherry Rula entrance.

This year's class includes Bulldog legends Nat "Buck" Showalter, Alex Grammas and Chris Stratton.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the baseball program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateBB' on X, Facebook and Instagram.