STARKVILLE — It’s not supposed to look so easy for underclassmen playing on a massive stage.

As a freshman last season, Mississippi State baseball’s Hunter Hines shouldn’t have been expected to hit clutch home runs at Swayze Field − the home of rival Ole Miss. Dakota Jordan, a freshman this year, shouldn’t be making it look so effortless to hit walk-offs and home runs in front of record-breaking crowds at Dudy Noble Field.

Yet that has become the norm at Mississippi State (22-15, 6-5-10 SEC) in a rivalry it has dominated − with Hines serving as the latest example. His two-run home run in the seventh inning of Sunday’s rubber match proved to be the final blow in a 5-3 win.

How have these young players dominated in the sport’s biggest rivalry? Perhaps their exposure to it as in-state kids the key.

“It means a lot to them,” Mississippi State coach Chris Lemonis said. “Winning these rivalry games and winning the weekend is great for our season, but also it means a lot to our community. Back in the office (Monday), somebody probably gets to talk trash and the other doesn’t. For us, for our fans, it means a lot.”

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Originally selected to speak with media postgame because of his home run in the series opener Friday, Jordan instead found himself in front of the microphone after his strikeout ended a 3-2 loss for MSU. Yet the freshman out of Jackson Academy showed little dejection.

“Michael Jordan always wanted to be that guy to save the game or make a big shot,” Jordan said. “He failed. He failed a lot. I wanted to be that guy up there to get the job done. It didn’t happen, so move on to the next.”

The next chance came Saturday when Jordan, with the Bulldogs trailing by one, sent a two-run single into left field for his first career walk-off hit. He sprinted to right field to celebrate with fans – his jersey ripped off by teammates in the process.

However, his heroics in the face of adversity weren’t complete.

Stepping up to the plate with two runners on in the first inning Sunday, Jordan grounded into a double play. He failed to give the Bulldogs an early boost, but he remained cool. Another opportunity was sure to come, and it did in the third when Jordan sent a three-run blast over the fans he celebrated with the night before.

“We have good, young players,” Lemonis said. “They’re starting to play like older players. That’s one reason we’re playing better.”

Jordan, hitting in the cleanup spot, has added a dangerous aspect to MSU’s lineup by forcing teams to pitch to Hines in the No. 3 slot. It proved worthwhile with Hines’ game-winning home run – his 17th of the season.

First base was open with freshman shortstop David Mershon stealing second before Hines' at-bat. Most teams would’ve pitched around him, but Ole Miss (20-16, 3-12) couldn’t do so with the scorching Jordan on deck. Hines saw a first pitch breaking ball and left no doubt – launching his fifth home run in seven career games against the Rebels.

“It’s just different here,” Hines said. “The crowd is different. The feel is different. Everything is different. You’ve just got to calm yourself down a little bit and take advantage of the moment.”

Behind this young core – which also features freshman switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje who allowed one run across 5⅔ innings in Sunday’s start – Mississippi State has brought new potential to its season.

After starting 0-7 in SEC play, the Bulldogs appeared to be on their way toward missing back-to-back SEC tournaments after a national championship. Now, with a top 30 RPI, this young core has rejuvenated hope in the sport’s premier state.

“(Monday), we don’t even have a practice day,” reliver Aaron Nixon said. “But I know most of the team is going to be here working on their game, working on getting better every day. Now it’s time for Auburn.”

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

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Mississippi State baseball's young core claimed series vs. Ole Miss