<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2ynVqv_0tNrvfzo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2ynVqv_0tNrvfzo00" width="620" height="320" >HOOVER, AL - The Southeastern Conference tournament is over for <a href="https://247sports.com/college/mississippi-state/">Mississippi State</a>. The Bulldogs head back to Starkville with a 2-2 mark on the week. A year ago, State watched the league festivities from home knowing that their season was over for the second straight year without a post season. Things were different this year and not just in Hoover. The Bulldogs were better, a lot better.The team still left some meat on the bone, but there was a measure of consistency as State won at least one ball game in each weekend series. The 2024 Diamond Dawgs are the first Mississippi State team since 2007 that can make that claim. Even the 2021 National Championship team posted a winless weekend.Since that hot summer night in Omaha that saw the Bulldogs hoist the program's first ever national title trophy, State has not played a single post season game until this year. Tuesday saw State walk-off <a href="https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/">Ole Miss</a> in dramatic fashion ending the Rebels' season. The next night, another ninth inning rally ended in victory as the Bulldogs knocked off Texas A&amp;M. A pair of one run losses to <a href="https://247sports.com/college/vanderbilt/">Vanderbilt</a> and followed. <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/connor-hujsak-46140388/">Connor Hujsak</a> played the hero in those wins and nearly wore that cape against the Volunteers last night. Hujsak's two-out bases loaded single tied the game at 3-3 in the 5th. Dakota Jordan followed with a two RBI jolt to left that gave State the lead. Unfortunately, Tennessee rallied for the win, 6-5. It is never fun to go home before the last game of a tournament, but these Dawgs showed they have some bite."We were just taking it one pitch at a time, one at bat at a time and just try to pass the bat and have quality at bats," Hujsak said of the Bulldog mindset at the plate. "Once we broke through, we were on top of the world there for a little bit. We just have to keep going and get better everytime."Hujsak has been clutch all week, but Jordan has had his struggles. As the Bulldog rightfielder walked to the plate throughout the game he received a hearty ovation from the State fans in attendance. Jordan rewarded that support with one of the biggest hits of his career on the biggest stage he has played upon so far."It felt so good for us and I am sure it felt even better for him," Hujsak said of Jordan's hit that gave the Bulldogs the lead. "We know what he's capable of. We've seen it all year. We all go through it. Seeing that go through was big time."Last season, Hujsak appeared in 25 games making six starts. In limited opportunities, the former <a href="https://247sports.com/college/virginia-commonwealth/">VCU</a> transfer had ten hits in just 42 at bats. Prior to the season, Mississippi State head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/chris-lemonis-4115/">Chris Lemonis</a> said one of the unfortunate things about the 2023 season is that Hujsak did not get more chances to swing. Lemonis felt Hujsak could be an x-factor for the club this year. He has been and has been the most consistent hitter in the Bulldog line-up play against Southeastern Conference competition."Coming here was everything I ever dreamed of," Hujsak said. "Last year was obviously tough. I kept my head down and worked really hard and it's paying off this year. This week was awesome. The SEC tournament was as big as advertised. It was a great week. I think we got a lot better and we're ready for the post season."The post season. Yes, the real post season still awaits. Mississippi State knows that they are in the NCAA tournament. They will not know who or where they play until Monday. State continues to be in the hosting discussion, but there are some blemishes on the Bulldog resume. Fans are eager to pack out Dudy Noble Field in hopes of helping the team get to Omaha. No matter where State suits up next week, Hujsak declares that the guys wearing the M over S caps will be ready to fight."I think we've proved that we can play with anyone in the country," Hujsak said. "I think we're a top team. I think our resume shows that. We're just ready to compete wherever they put us. If that's at the Dude or on the road, we're ready."Based on the results this week, it appears Hujsak's confidence in his club is well founded. State is on much more solid ground these days. The turnaround season has been a tremendous story, but that story still has some chapters that are left to be written.</div></body>

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Hujsak, Bulldogs wait for the word

HOOVER, AL - The Southeastern Conference tournament is over for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs head back to Starkville with a 2-2 mark on the week. A year ago, State watched the league festivities from home knowing that their season was over for the second straight year without a post season. Things were different this year and not just in Hoover. The Bulldogs were better, a lot better.

Hujsak, Bulldogs wait for the word

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