Bulldog Softball Travels to NFCA Leadoff Classic
February 25, 2010 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Mississippi State softball team returns to the road this weekend as it travels to Columbus, Ga., for the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
State brings a 7-2 record into this weekend's field that includes some of the top teams in the nation. Head coach Jay Miller's squad opens play Friday, taking on No. 20 Massachusetts and Hofstra at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs will challenge N.C. State (10 a.m.) and Maryland (12:30 p.m.) on Saturday before closing the weekend with a 9 a.m. first pitch against Illinois State on Sunday.
The Bulldogs make their fourth-straight trip to the tournament following a three-win weekend at the Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas. Sophomore Ka'ili Smith paced the Maroon and White at the plate, hitting .500 (8-for-16) with her first career grand slam, six RBI and three runs scored.
The Kapolei, Hawaii, native leads the Bulldogs offensively with a .429 tally and 11 RBI. She and junior Jessie Spain lead MSU with 12 hits.
Junior Brittany Bell has also enjoyed an outstanding start to the season. The Brandon, Fla., native takes the field hitting .385 with two doubles, a home run and eight RBI. Fellow junior Courtney Nesbit returns to her home state looking to build on last weekend's .467 average she compiled at Texas A&M. The Acworth, Ga., native added a double, a home run and five RBI in helping State to last weekend's three victories.
In the circle, sophomore Misty Flesher paces the Dawgs with a 3-1 record and a save. The Lone Grove, Okla., native tossed a career-best 8.0 innings in last Sunday's win over Oregon State. She has compiled a 2.59 ERA and leads the team with 16 strikeouts and 24.1 innings pitched.
Miller's squad looks to win its fourth-straight against UMass when the tournament opens on Friday. The two teams last met at the 2008 Leadoff Classic, with the Bulldogs claiming a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the seventh inning. The 2010 Minutewomen bring a 4-1 record into this weekend's NFCA event. Sarah Reeves paces UMass with a .571 average and four doubles. Her five RBI rate one behind .533 hitter Michelle Libby for the team lead.
Hofstra has started the year 5-0 thanks to the hitting and pitching of Olivia Galati. Galati has driven in a team-best five RBI while tallying a .538 batting average. In the circle, she holds a 3-0 record and has allowed just three runs on 10 hits with 24 strikeouts.
On Saturday, Mississippi State will meet a pair of ACC teams in N.C. State and Maryland. The Wolfpack boasts a 6-4 record behind .407 hitter Stephanie Call and the pitching of Lindsay Campana. Call has driven in nine runs and hit four home runs this season. Campana (4-1) has allowed just three runs (one earned) for a 0.21 ERA over 33 innings so far this season.
Maryland ventures to South Commons Complex with a 2-3 record thanks to a strong pitching staff that holds a 1.51 team earned-run average. The Terps have hit just .172 as a team this season, with Nadine Blackie pacing the squad with a .583 average.
Illinois State, MSU's Sunday opponent, has started the season 5-3. Elizabeth Kay tops the Redbird offense with a .444 average and 11 RBI. ISU features a pair of good options in the circle in Megan Warner (2-0) and Chrissy Burton (2-1).
The Bulldogs return to the friendly confines of the MSU Softball Field on Wednesday, taking on No. 4 Michigan at 5 p.m. Admission to all home Mississippi State softball games is free.
State brings a 7-2 record into this weekend's field that includes some of the top teams in the nation. Head coach Jay Miller's squad opens play Friday, taking on No. 20 Massachusetts and Hofstra at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs will challenge N.C. State (10 a.m.) and Maryland (12:30 p.m.) on Saturday before closing the weekend with a 9 a.m. first pitch against Illinois State on Sunday.
The Bulldogs make their fourth-straight trip to the tournament following a three-win weekend at the Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas. Sophomore Ka'ili Smith paced the Maroon and White at the plate, hitting .500 (8-for-16) with her first career grand slam, six RBI and three runs scored.
The Kapolei, Hawaii, native leads the Bulldogs offensively with a .429 tally and 11 RBI. She and junior Jessie Spain lead MSU with 12 hits.
Junior Brittany Bell has also enjoyed an outstanding start to the season. The Brandon, Fla., native takes the field hitting .385 with two doubles, a home run and eight RBI. Fellow junior Courtney Nesbit returns to her home state looking to build on last weekend's .467 average she compiled at Texas A&M. The Acworth, Ga., native added a double, a home run and five RBI in helping State to last weekend's three victories.
In the circle, sophomore Misty Flesher paces the Dawgs with a 3-1 record and a save. The Lone Grove, Okla., native tossed a career-best 8.0 innings in last Sunday's win over Oregon State. She has compiled a 2.59 ERA and leads the team with 16 strikeouts and 24.1 innings pitched.
Miller's squad looks to win its fourth-straight against UMass when the tournament opens on Friday. The two teams last met at the 2008 Leadoff Classic, with the Bulldogs claiming a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the seventh inning. The 2010 Minutewomen bring a 4-1 record into this weekend's NFCA event. Sarah Reeves paces UMass with a .571 average and four doubles. Her five RBI rate one behind .533 hitter Michelle Libby for the team lead.
Hofstra has started the year 5-0 thanks to the hitting and pitching of Olivia Galati. Galati has driven in a team-best five RBI while tallying a .538 batting average. In the circle, she holds a 3-0 record and has allowed just three runs on 10 hits with 24 strikeouts.
On Saturday, Mississippi State will meet a pair of ACC teams in N.C. State and Maryland. The Wolfpack boasts a 6-4 record behind .407 hitter Stephanie Call and the pitching of Lindsay Campana. Call has driven in nine runs and hit four home runs this season. Campana (4-1) has allowed just three runs (one earned) for a 0.21 ERA over 33 innings so far this season.
Maryland ventures to South Commons Complex with a 2-3 record thanks to a strong pitching staff that holds a 1.51 team earned-run average. The Terps have hit just .172 as a team this season, with Nadine Blackie pacing the squad with a .583 average.
Illinois State, MSU's Sunday opponent, has started the season 5-3. Elizabeth Kay tops the Redbird offense with a .444 average and 11 RBI. ISU features a pair of good options in the circle in Megan Warner (2-0) and Chrissy Burton (2-1).
The Bulldogs return to the friendly confines of the MSU Softball Field on Wednesday, taking on No. 4 Michigan at 5 p.m. Admission to all home Mississippi State softball games is free.
Players Mentioned
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INF/OF
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