Ward Pitches Lights Out As MSU Evens Series With No. 8 Alabama

Saturday, March 18

Starkville

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

22-6, 2-3

#11 Alabama

27-3, 4-1

Alabama

Mississippi State

Holly Ward tossed the fourth complete game shutout of her career on Saturday, leading MSU to a 1-0 victory against No. 8 Alabama.

Ward Pitches Lights Out As MSU Evens Series With No. 8 Alabama

March 18, 2017 | Softball

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STARKVILLE, Miss. – Under the lights of Nusz Park, Holly Ward closed out a spectacular pitching performance, leading the Mississippi State Bulldogs (22-6, 2-3 SEC) to a 1-0 victory against the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (27-3, 4-1 SEC) on Saturday.

"I'm just really excited for the kids," MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said. "They really played great. Holly Ward threw a great game and I'm really excited for the fans. They came out, the place was packed, it was a great night. It was fun to be able to come out with a victory for those guys and for the kids."

With the win, the series is now tied at a game each, with the rubber match set for a 4:30 p.m. CT first pitch on Sunday.

State used an RBI single from Amanda Ivy in the second frame to notched the only run it would need. Calyn Adams led off the inning with an infield single and would advance to third after a fielding error allowed Alexis Silkwood to reach safely. After a strikeout, Ivy stepped up and delivered a clutch two-out single over the second baseman to bring Adams home.

From there, Ward kept up her unbelievable night in the circle. Ward would retire 10-straight batters from the first to the end of the fourth inning. Only three batters would reach base for the remainder of the game, with Ward slamming the door on the Tide with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

Ward's final inning was not without a pair of amazing plays, as Reggie Harrison would range across the infield to make an amazing grab and throw to first. The final out would come via left fielder Kat Moore, who made an unreal diving catch on a fly ball to left, sealing State's win.

Along with Ivy and Adams, Moore would be the third Bulldog to notch a hit on the night.

Ward's fifth win of the season was also the fourth complete game shutout of her career. In 7.0 innings of work, she allowed no runs on two hits, striking out three and walking only two.

"We had a plan going in," Ward said. "We've just worked the process all week preparing and I just trusted myself and my defense. My defense just worked for me."

MSU and Alabama will square off at 4:30 p.m., on Sunday for the series victory. The game will be streamed on SEC Network +. Fans can access the broadcast through WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app.

Series Schedule Against No. 8 Alabama…
Friday, March 17 – No. 8 Alabama def. Mississippi State, 11-3 (5)
Saturday, March 18 – Mississippi State def. No. 8 Alabama, 1-0
Sunday, March 19 – Mississippi State vs. No. 8 Alabama (2 p.m. CT)

Scoring Plays Versus No. 8 Alabama…
2^nd Inning – Amanda Ivy delivered an RBI single to right field to give the Bulldogs all they needed in Saturday's win

Another Ranked Win For The Dogs…
With Saturday night's win against No. 8 Alabama, the Dogs have now earned three ranked victories on the year. It is their second win against a Top-10 program and the 14^th of Vann Stuedeman's career. The win is also the 27^th ranked victory for Stuedeman.

Close Games, Our Games…
The 2017 season has seen the Dogs play in six one-run games and a close battle has been to the Bulldogs' liking this year. State is 5-1 this year in one-run games, including Saturday night's 1-0 victory against the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide.

Dogs Keep The Home Success Rolling Against Alabama…
Saturday night's win marked the third win in the last five games against Alabama at home. The last time the Dogs hosted Alabama for a home series? April 11-13, when State took the final two games to clinch the series.

Ward Pitches A Gem…
For the fourth time in her career and first time in SEC play, Holly Ward tossed a complete game shutout. Over 7.0 innings, Ward allowed no runs on two hits and struck out three batters.

Weather…
Sunday's Forecast (March 19) – Sunny, 69 Degrees (10%)

Live Stream…
All three of this weekend's contests will live streamed through the SEC Network +. Fans can access the games through WatchESPN.com, the ESPN app or clicking the links below.

Mississippi State vs. Alabama SEC Network + Broadcast (Sunday)

Live Stats…
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all games this weekend. They can be found in the link below.

Mississippi State vs. Alabama Live Stats

Admission…
All matches at Nusz Park this weekend, as well as the entire season, are free admission.

Promotions…
A list of this weekend's promotions are listed below.

Sunday, March 19
MSU vs. Alabama (2:00 p.m. CT)
- Free admission
- Free t-shirts and prizes throughout the game
- Free pair of concert tickets to the next show at Rick's Café
- "Kids' Day at the Park": Kids' Zone; kids run the bases with the team post-game
- Free "Sunday S'mores"

Up Next…
MSU and Alabama will square off at 4:30 p.m. CT on Sunday for the series victory. The game will be streamed on SEC Network +. Fans can access the broadcast through WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app.

Social Media…
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap".