Behind a complete game from Dylan DeLucia, Ole Miss defeats Mississippi State in game one of series, 4-2
OXFORD, Miss. — Behind a complete-game, 117-pitch outing from Ole Miss pitcher Dylan DeLucia, the Rebels defeated Mississippi State, 4-2, in game one of the series Thursday night at Swayze.
DeLucia got things started off right in the top of the first, throwing a seven-pitch, three up, three down inning.
In the home half of the inning, Justin Bench led things off for Ole Miss (22-15, 6-10 SEC) with a single down the left field line. With two outs, Bench advanced to second on a wild pitch before Kemp Alderman reached on an error, advancing Bench to third base.
Kevin Graham then drove a 2-2 pitch over the fence in right field, and his three-run homer gave the Rebels a 3-0 lead.
First inning showers, you love to see it 🤩@kevgraham11 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/KOrQE8Anmt
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 21, 2022
With the early three-run lead in the top of the second, DeLucia — after the Bulldogs’ leadoff hitter reached on an infield single — got the next three State players to go down looking on strikes.
Punching him out like Mike Tyson 👊@dylan_delucia22 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/hhmV0kFMUR
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 21, 2022
Mississippi State got on the board in the top of the fifth inning as Brad Cumbest hit a solo home run to left field to cut Ole Miss’ lead to 3-1.
The Rebels would soon get that run back in the bottom of the frame on a solo home run from catcher Hayden Dunhurst.
Dun gets that run right back! 💥@Hayden_Dunhurst | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/y0RBjRlHsy
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 22, 2022
State wouldn’t give up, though, as Kellum Clark brought the game within two in the top of the seventh with a solo home run.
On the Mound
Dylan DeLucia pitched nine innings in the win and moves to 3-0 on the season. He only gave up two runs (both earned), and five hits while striking out eight and preserving the Rebels’ bullpen for the rest of the series.
DeLucia pitched the first complete game for the Rebels since Doug Nikhazy’s against Mississippi State in 2021 and the second since 2015.
“I can’t wait see the film to watch how good he really was,” Coach Bianco said of DeLucia’s game.
“He located the fastball on both sides of the plate and throwing the breaking ball. He was ahead in the count with so many hitters, that helps obviously. I think he really just had the command tonight and pitched with a ton of confidence.”
Coach Bianco on DeLucia
At the Plate
Hayden Dunhurst went 2-2 with a double and a solo home run. Kevin Graham went 1-4 with a three-run home run.
“In rivalry games like this, momentum is huge,” said Graham after the game.
“To get off to a good start was big for us. Big shutdown inning from DeLucia after we scored, that’s something we haven’t done a great job of this year, playing good defense and pitching it after we score.”
Kevin Graham
Next Up:
Ole Miss and Mississippi State (22-17, 6-10 SEC) face off at 6:30 p.m. in game two of the series at Swayze Friday night.
Click here for postgame video of Coach Bianco, Hayden Dunhurst, Dylan DeLucia and Kevin Graham.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
