Survive and advance. That is the name of the game in the NCAA Tournament, and that is exactly what Georgia did against Mississippi State during their 13-12 Super Regional victory on Saturday.
Before Georgia could even blink they trailed 7-0. But did that slow them down? Not at all. In just two innings they came roaring back to take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning 9-7. But Mississippi State responded themselves and took the lead back heading into the bottom of the eighth, and that's when controversy struck.
Rylan Lujo gets called out on strikes after intentionally getting hit by pitch.
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 6, 2026
Massive break for Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/ePxd6wlO8S
Trailing by two Rylan Lujo was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases with zero outs in the bottom of the eighth. After a length review the umpires however determined he leaned into the pitch which is an automatic strike, which in this case was strike three.
Thankfully Michael O'Shaughnessy stepped up in the very next at bat and went yard to give Georgia their 13-12 lead which ended up being the final score, but what if that out on Lujo ended up costing Georgia the game?
Michael O'Shaughnessy lifts Georgia over Mississippi State directly after umpires controversial call
O'Shaughnessy is the obvious MVP of this game after hitting the three-run homer that gave Georgia the lead for good. But there was a chance that wasn't going to be enough.
What if Mississippi State scored a run in the ninth to force extra innings? What if they would've scored two runs and won the game? If Lujo was on base Georgia would've had a 14-12 lead instead of 13-12 and neither of those scenarios would've led to a Mississippi State victory, but since he was called out that gave MSU more chances to win.
Thankfully they did not take advantage of that, but it's impossible not to think about what could've resulted from the umpires' decision especially after what happened to Tre Phelps last week.
Georgia enters Game 2 vs Mississippi State with momentum and their roster in tact
Phelps was suspended for game one of Georgia's Super Regional after he was controversially ejected from their regional clinching victory against Liberty last weekend. Now Georgia heads to game two up a game on Mississippi State with Phelps coming back into the lineup.
So not only does Georgia have the massive advantage that comes with winning game one, but they get one of their best players back with a chance to punch their ticket to the College World Series.
First pitch for game two between Georgia and Mississippi State is scheduled for Sunday, June 7 at Noon EST and it will be aired on ESPN.
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