STARKVILLE — The first game between two Top-6 instate rivals went the way of the home team on Friday.
No. 4 Mississippi State defeated No. 6 Ole Miss 5-2 in the much-anticipated series opener at Polk-Dement Stadium in front of a reported 10,291 fans, though it was many more than that.
The Rebels (25-9, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) had six hits, but none of them timely late in the game when they needed them the most. They hit into three double plays, two of them ending innings and threats to score.
Center-fielder TJ McCants hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to give Ole Miss the 2-1 lead at the time and went 1-for-3 at the plate.