Nesbit Grand Slam Powers Bulldogs to 9-1 Win Over MVSU

Wednesday, April 7

Ridgeland, Miss.

6:30 PM

Mississippi State

22-18

Mississippi Valley State

15-20

Miss. Valley State

Mississippi State

Nesbit Grand Slam Powers Bulldogs to 9-1 Win Over MVSU

April 07, 2010 | Softball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

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RIDGELAND, Miss. – An Erin Nesbit grand slam sparked a seven-run fourth inning as Mississippi State defeated Mississippi Valley State 9-1 in five innings Wednesday night in the M&F Bank Fastpitch Classic at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland, Miss.

Nesbit's grand slam was the fifth by the Bulldogs this season, a new single-season school record. Nesbit and senior Jessie Bailey combined to drive in seven of State's nine runs. Bailey contributed three RBI in a perfect 3-for-3 effort at the plate.

Senior Chelsea Bramlett collected a pair of hits and stole her 48th-straight base of the season. The Cordova, Tenn., native has now swiped 56 consecutive bases going back to the 2009 season.

The Dawgs (22-18) expanded a 2-1 lead when they sent 11 batters to the plate in the decisive fourth inning off MVSU reliever Lauren Derting. Bailey sparked the frame with a single. She took second when the Delta Devilettes were unable to get an out on a Brittany Bell ground ball. Courtney Nesbit singled to load the bases, and Shelby Fisher drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 3-1.

Erin Nesbit then stepped to the plate and lined a 3-2 pitch over the fence in center field for her fourth home run of the season. Bramlett kept the inning going two batters later as she lined a base hit up the middle. She took third on an Ali Bainbridge single, and the pair scored as Bailey collected her second hit of the inning and advanced to second on an errant throw past the first base bag.

Misty Flesher went the distance for the Bulldogs, improving to 9-5 on the season as she allowed a Jasmine Wilson second-inning home run and four hits while striking out five.

“We came out and scored some early runs, which was good to see,” MSU head coach Jay Miller said. “Misty did a good job of shutting them down, and we made some nice plays defensively. Erin came up with a big grand slam for us. It's nice to come out and swing the bats like we did in the midweek to get ready for LSU this weekend.”

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead, plating two runs in the bottom of the first off Delta Devilette starter Lisa Jansen (9-8). Bramlett opened the inning with a base hit. She stole second before Ali Bainbridge walked. Bramlett took third on a Ka'ili Smith fly-out to center field, and Bailey brought her home with a single.

Bainbridge scored the inning's final run on the first of MVSU's three errors in the game.

Mississippi State returns to Southeastern Conference action this weekend, traveling to Baton Rouge, La., for a three-game series against No. 14 LSU. The two teams open the series with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday's series finale is also scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch that will be televised in select markets by Cox Sports Television. A free live audio stream of all three games will be available on www.mstateathletics.com/m2mlive.