LOOK: Connor Hujsak hits walk-off homer for Mississippi State vs Ole Miss in SEC Tournament
Connor Hujsak is back and the timing couldn't have been better for Mississippi State.
The Mississippi State outfielder bashed a two-run walk-off homer with two outs in the ninth inning to vault No. 5 seed MSU to a 2-1 win in the first round of the SEC Tournament against No. 12 seed Ole Miss on Tuesday.
MISSISSIPPI STATE WALK OFF HOME RUN VS. OLE MISS 🚨 @HailStateBB pic.twitter.com/X0NdYD8oV1
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) May 22, 2024
The Bulldogs got a leadoff walk from David Mershon in the ninth at Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama. He worked a full count and fouled off a pitch before earning the walk. Dakota Jordan struck out, but Mershon moved to second on a passed ball. Hunter Hines grounded out to first base with Mershon trying to steal third.
Hujsak belted the first pitch he got from Rebels pitcher Liam Doyle over the left field fence for the game-winning homer.
Hujsak, a senior outfielder, had been dealing with a back injury and Tuesday was his first game back since a May 5 loss against Alabama. Hujsak's .349 batting average entering Tuesday ranked second on the team while his eight home runs ranked third behind Jordan and Hines.
Mississippi State's win helps push toward the Bulldogs hosting an NCAA regional, while it ends Ole Miss' season. Ole Miss held a 1-0 lead through 8⅔ innings thanks to a fifth-inning homer from Will Furniss.
The Bulldogs face No. 4 seed Texas A&M in the final game Wednesday following No. 1 Tennessee against No. 8 Vanderbilt.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Connor Hujsak walk-off: Mississippi State tops Ole Miss in SEC Tournament