CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Mississippi State baseball’s Dakota Jordan had 45 seconds to think.

Between the decision by St. John’s coach Mike Hampton to intentionally walk David Mershon to the delivery of the first pitch to Jordan, only 45 seconds passed.

Jordan could have used that time to think about his 1-for-26 slump. His mind could’ve wandered toward the negativity he’d see on social media if he didn’t come through. It could’ve flashed back to last week when he continuously struggled to come through for the Bulldogs in the SEC tournament.

Instead, with No. 2 seed Mississippi State (39-21) and No. 3 seed St. John’s (37-17-1) tied in the 10th inning at the Charlottesville Regional on Friday, he thought about the opportunity at hand.

He had a chance to deliver a walk-off win in his first NCAA tournament game.

“I took it very personally,” Jordan said after the game. “I just try not to show it.”

Jordan delivered, launching a three-run shot to secure a 5-2 win. The home run advanced the Bulldogs to the winner’s bracket of the regional, where a meeting with host and No. 1 seed Virginia (42-15) awaits at Saturday (5 p.m., ACC Network).

“I can’t do anything but smile,” Jordan said. “It takes so much pressure off of me.”

His blast also puts Mississippi State in a favorable spot to make a super regional.

Why Mississippi State trusted Dakota Jordan

Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon pulled out his phone to get a video because he knew what was coming.

“He’s about to get this," Selmon said. "I know (Jordan's) got this."

Selmon wasn’t alone in expressing confidence in the likely first-round pick.

From MSU coach Chris Lemonis to Mershon, the Bulldogs have trusted that when the moment arrived for Jordan — and it was going to eventually for someone hitting third in the lineup — he’d deliver.

“We’ve got dudes on this team,” MSU pitcher Khal Stephen said. “They continue to show up. I don’t think there’s any confidence lost in our dugout. We know our guys are going to show up.”

Seeing it come to fruition was something Lemonis said brought a tear to his eye. It also brings momentum back into a bat crucial to Mississippi State’s postseason success.

“What these kids have to go through sometimes is really, really tough,” Lemonis said. “It’s like having a monkey on your back a little bit. Hopefully he jumped off tonight.”

Why Khal Stephen’s start was crucial

Advancing into the winner’s bracket of the double-elimination regional is the top priority during the first day of play.

Second is ensuring arms are available for the potential of three more games. Thanks in large part to Stephen, Mississippi State got both Friday.

He allowed two runs in eight innings and 99 pitches — though he wanted to go longer.

“He wants to start a fight in the dugout because he doesn’t want to come out,” Lemonis said. “There’s a meanness to Khal that y’all don’t see because he was wanting to fight with me and (pitching) Coach (Justin) Parker.”

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Behind Stephen, Mississippi State used only left-handed pitcher Tyler Davis out of the bullpen. He threw two scoreless innings with 27 pitches, making him an option to return Saturday if healthy and needed.

“It’s been a huge piece to our team and bullpen for the whole year because (Stephen) sets up our weekends,” Lemonis said.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State baseball: How Dakota Jordan boosts NCAA region hopes