McCloud Double Rallies No.15 Mississippi State To Split At Wingate Inn Classic

Sunday, February 24

Macon, Ga.

11:00 a.m.

Mississippi State

12-2

Western Kentucky

7-3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Mississippi State	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	5	0
Western Ky.	0	0	4	0	0	0	X	4	6	3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Mississippi State	0	0	0	2	0	1	2	5	11	1
Mercer	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	5	1

Three MSU Softball Players Named Pre-Season All-SEC

McCloud Double Rallies No.15 Mississippi State To Split At Wingate Inn Classic

February 24, 2008 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: hailstate.com

? Official Statistics (vs. Western Kentucky)
? Official Statistics (vs. Western Kentucky) (PDF)
? Official Statistics (vs. Mercer)
? Official Statistics (vs. Mercer) (PDF)

MACON, Ga. ? Gina McCloud's one-out double in the top of the seventh inning rallied No. 15 Mississippi State to a 5-3 win over Mercer Sunday afternoon and a split of the final day of the Wingate Inn Classic in Macon, Ga.

McCloud, who hit .571 on the weekend, hit her third double in the four-game set, a line drive to the wall in center field that scored freshman Ali Bainbridge to complete MSU's comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The Bulldogs (13-2) added another run in the frame on Chelsea Bramlett's single up the middle that scored pinch-runner Megan Bateman.

Misty Flesher made the lead hold up, striking out two over the final two innings to move to 5-1 on the year. Kesley Nurnberg allowed the Bulldog offense the opportunity to rally, giving up a hit and a walk over three and a third innings. Elizabeth Woolven started the game and gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits with a strikeout in an inning and two-thirds.

“Misty pitched really well this weekend for us,” MSU head coach Jay Miller said. “Kelsey came in and shut (Mercer) down, and our team did a really nice job of battling back. Ali did a nice job getting some key hits for us, and Courtney (Bures) drove in a key run against Mercer.Hayle also had a big weekend for us. We have to keep working and getting better.”

After Mercer jumped on top with three runs in the bottom of the second off Woolven, State started the rally in the fourth with back-to-back home runs from Guess, her fourth of the season and third in two days, and Bainbridge. Bainbridge's round-tripper was the first of her career.

Both Guess, who was 3-for-4 in the nightcap, and Bainbridge (2-for-4)were named to the all-tournament team along with junior first baseman Sammie Jo Bailey. Guess hit .333 with three home runs and five RBI, while Bainbridge hit at a .385 clip. Bailey came up with a pair of big hits for the Bulldogs in the four games.

Jenni Holtz (0-2) suffered the loss for Mercer. She allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts over four innings of work. Lacey Richardson pitched three innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

MState tied the game in the sixth as with one out, Brittany Bell singled and Chelsea Bramlett was hit by a pitch. Senior Courtney Bures delivered a two-out single up the middle that scored Bell with the tying run.

Guess also homered in the day's opening game, but it wasn't enough as the Bulldogs dropped a tough 4-2 decision to Western Kentucky.

With State trailing 4-0 in the top of the sixth at Sikes Field, Sammie Jo Bailey reached on an error by WKU shortstop Kelsey McCauley and Guess followed with a two-run shot over the fence in left field to cut the Hilltopper lead to 4-2.

MSU put the tying run on base as Jessie Bailey and McCloud both walked, but reliever Ryan Rogge got a strikeout and a flyout to end the threat.

The third inning was the deciding frame for WKU. With one out, Lindsay Antone launched a solo shot over the fence in left field off Nurnberg.

The Hilltoppers, who are receiving votes in both national polls, extended the lead to 3-0 on Shelby Smith's two-run double to the fencein center field, and Brittney Perry, who was pinch-running for Smith, scored on a passed ball for the 4-0 lead.

Nurnberg fell to 7-1 on the season as she surrendered four runs, three earned, on six hits with a pair of strikeouts over two and a third innings. Flesher hurled the final three and two-thirds, allowing just a pair of walks while striking out two.

The Bulldogs had an opportunity to get on the board in the fifth as Lindsay Hunley reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on Chelsea Bramlett's two-out single. Nakita Boyce reached on an error by the Hilltopper shortstop to load the bases, but Courtney Bures' line drive was snagged by third baseman Rebecca Horesky to end the inning.

State returns to the road this week, traveling to UAB Tuesday for a 6 p.m. contest. The Bulldogs will travel to Columbus, Ga., this weekend for the NFCA Leadoff Classic.