HATTIESBURG — Jacob Billingsley took the ball Monday night and did not give it back until Mississippi State was headed for a do-or-die championship game.
Billingsley — whose previous career-long outing was five-plus innings — threw a complete game and the Bulldogs beat Southern Miss 8-1 in the first regional championship game.
Billingsley gave up six hits and walked four, but struck out four and left eight batters on base.
MSU and Southern Miss will play again Monday night at Pete Taylor Park to determine the regional champion.
Mississippi State supported Billingsley (2-3) well with a five-run third inning.