Mississippi State Baseball Falls to No. 1 UCLA in Extra Innings

Head coach Brian O'Connor reflects on the tough 8-7 loss in the top-five matchup

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In a highly anticipated top-five matchup, the No. 4 Mississippi State baseball team fell to the No. 1 UCLA Bruins 8-7 in extra innings. Despite the tough loss, head coach Brian O'Connor praised his team's effort and resilience, highlighting their heart and talent. O'Connor expressed frustration with the defeat but remained confident in his squad's ability to bounce back from this early-season setback.

Why it matters

This early-season clash between two of college baseball's powerhouses provided an opportunity for Mississippi State to make a statement against the nation's top-ranked team. While the Bulldogs came up short, the performance showcased their potential and set the stage for an exciting season ahead in the highly competitive world of NCAA baseball.

The details

Mississippi State jumped out to an early lead, but the Bruins fought back to tie the game and eventually win it in extra innings. Head coach Brian O'Connor was proud of his team's effort, noting that the game "was like a heavyweight fight" and that his players "kept battling back" despite the challenges they faced. The Bulldogs had several opportunities to win the game, including a ball hit by Ryder Woodson that just missed clearing the outfield fence.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Brian O'Connor

The head coach of the Mississippi State baseball team, who has led the Bulldogs since the start of the 2026 season.

Duke Stone

The starting pitcher for Mississippi State, who O'Connor praised for his performance against the powerful UCLA lineup.

Ben Davis

A Mississippi State relief pitcher who struggled late in the game, leading to UCLA's game-winning rally.

Ryder Woodson

A Mississippi State player who hit a ball that just missed clearing the outfield fence, which O'Connor believed could have been the game-winning hit.

Gatlin Sanders

A Mississippi State player who was on base when Woodson's near-home run occurred.

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What they’re saying

“The first takeaway is I'm pissed, because I hate losing. Obviously, we've got a really, really good team and UCLA has a great ball club. That was like a heavyweight fight. Just proud of our guys. We kept battling back and did a nice job of managing the game from a pitching standpoint. Time and time again, guys rose up.”

— Brian O'Connor, Head Coach (on3.com)

“Ryder Woodson's ball that he hit in the right center gap bounces and gets out of the ballpark and that was the game winner right there with Gatlin Sanders in motion. It just didn't work out our way.”

— Brian O'Connor, Head Coach (on3.com)

“I think we've got a special ball club. I think we have a team with a lot of heart. I think we have a team that will be very talented. We have a lot of options like pinch hitters to do some different things. I love our ball club and I love what we've earned this weekend.”

— Brian O'Connor, Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The Bulldogs will look to rebound from this tough loss as they continue their season, with their next game scheduled for Friday, March 7th against a conference opponent.

The takeaway

Despite the heartbreaking defeat, this game showcased the Bulldogs' potential and resilience, as they battled the top-ranked Bruins down to the wire. With a talented roster and a coach who believes in their abilities, Mississippi State appears poised to make a deep postseason run in the coming months.