Chris Stratton has carved a name for himself as one of the best pitchers in the country this season.

His credentials certainly won’t be disputed by the Ole Miss Rebels.

Stratton, Mississippi State’s ace, scattered five hits and walked only one batter in a complete-game victory, leading the Bulldogs to a 4-0 win over Ole Miss on Friday night.

Stratton (8-0) threw his second complete game of the season. He struck out seven batters and only allowed two baserunners in the first six innings. The only batter he had trouble with was Alex Yarbrough, who went 3-for-4, and the only time he got into serious trouble was the ninth inning.

In the ninth, Tanner Mathis and Yarbrough singled to put runners at first and second with one out. Stratton then got Matt Snyder to ground into a game-ending double play.

“Stratton was tremendous for them tonight,” said Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco. “He gave us very little opportunity tonight outside of the first inning and the ninth inning. He pitched great. But, I think Bobby Wahl pitched pretty well himself. Mississippi State was able to get a couple of hits with runners in scoring position and took advantage of their opportunities created by a couple of fielding errors.”

Indeed, Wahl was effective for Ole Miss. He allowed four hits and struck out seven in six innings, but also gave up three runs — only one earned. An error and a wild pitch brought in one run in the third inning, and set up an RBI single by Daryl Norris that gave State a 2-0 lead.

Mitch Slauter had an RBI single in the fifth inning, and Brent Brownlee an RBI double in the seventh for the Bulldogs.