State won Game One in walk-off fashion, winning 10-8. In a second walk-off, Vanderbilt won Game Two with a score of 4-3. Game Three will begin at 5:04 on Sunday afternoon. It is unknown what will happen. We do know that the winner will travel to Omaha for College World Series. The season is over for the loser. Gary Henderson, State coach, said that the team has had two close games. “My guess is that we’ll probably have another,” Henderson said. That’s more than an educated guess. It seems like a simple decision. Let’s look at the facts. These two teams are evenly matched. Mississippi State is currently at 36-27. Vandy is at 35-26. State was 15-15 in SEC. Vandy was 16-14. Both are not what you would consider a great college baseball team. Both are strong, tough and scrappy. They have also learned through their own mistakes how to win close games. Coach Tim Corbin of Vanderbilt said that “We both have been beaten up some throughout this season.” It has made us both stronger.” State was only five outs away from Omaha late Saturday night. In the eighth inning, the Bulldogs outscored the Commodores 3-2. Zach Neff was the third of three State pithers. He got Pat DeMarco out to left field to score the first of eight. Just before midnight, the clock was ticking. Harrison Ray, Vandy’s third baseman and third baseman, hit a gapper in left centerfield that hit the wall. Although it looked like a sure double and Ray didn’t hesitate to round second, he slid into third with his triple. Ethan Paul singled him with a soft-line drive single, which fell just in front State center fielder Jake Mangum. It was 3-3 heading into the ninth. The fourth pitcher for Vandy, Chandler Day, struck out the Bulldogs and retired them in order. Vandy was then allowed to bat with a chance of winning the ninth. JJ Bleday was brought to the plate by Neff, who struck out Stephen Scott. Bleday, who was hitless in four at-bats, only looked at two balls. He didn’t look at the third pitch. It was a fastball that was belt-high. He ripped it straight to centerfield. Mangum turned, and raced toward the green wall in the center. Mangum leapt, raised his glove high above the fence and fell empty. Neff stated, “I knew that he hit it really well.” Bleday was surrounded by Vanderbilt players. Vanderbilt fans cheered as loudly as State fans 25 hours before. Corbin, the Vandy coach, said, “That’s probably the best atmosphere we have ever had here.” It was a great experience for me and my fans. It was crucial. Mississippi State fans were also great.” Corbin’s Commodores swept three consecutive games in Starkville from State back in March, when the Bulldogs were heading to a 2-7 record in the SEC. Corbin replied that the difference between State now and back then was mental toughness. . . . They are strong, tough children and are inspired by each other. They have been beaten up and that has helped them. When you go through difficult moments together, like what they have been through, there is a bonding. Corbin stated, “It’s happened to them and it has happened to us.” Henderson of State said that he would be joining senior Jacob Billingsley (5.3 earned run average, 5-3), on Sunday’s mound. Vandy will be matched by freshman Mason Hickman (8-2-5.25). Both sides will have plenty fresh hands in the bullpen. These are important games. One of them will make it to the College World Series. Both will be accomplished. Expect drama.