PEARL — Dakota Jordan bolted out of the batter’s box at first. However, as he neared first base at Trustmark Park, he slowed down his stride. And just before stepping on the bag, he tossed his bat.

In a matter of seconds, the Mississippi State baseball outfielder realized he got all of a pitch from Southern Miss’ Kros Silvey for his fifth home run of the season. This one, though, gave the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead they wouldn’t let slip in a victory against their in-state foe.

After a shaky start, Mississippi State (9-4) got eight shutout inning from a combination of five relief pitchers to win its sixth straight game. The victory came despite MSU leaving six runners on base and having a runner thrown out at home plate.

Mississippi State has now won five of its last six meetings against Southern Miss (8-5).

Game delayed after fourth inning

After Evan Siary pitched a scoreless fourth inning for Mississippi State, the game entered a 46-minute rain delay.

USM elected to keep Colby Allen – who pitched scoreless frames in the third and fourth – on the mound when the teams returned to action. It proved to be a costly decision, as Allen recorded just one out and was tagged with two runs for Mississippi State to tie the game.

MSU elected to remove Siary after the delay. Tyson Hardin – who entered Tuesday with an 8.53 ERA – replaced him and worked around a lead-off hitter twice to keep the game tied going into the seventh.

Southern Miss jumps ahead early

USM wasted no time building a lead, scoring four runs in the first inning off Mississippi State starter Karson Ligon. The frame started harmlessly, with Dalton McIntyre striking out. However, he was followed up by a single from Nick Monistere. Behind a stolen base, ground out and wild pitch, Monistere came around to score.