Bulldog Softball Opens Fall with 5-4 Walk-Off Win
October 03, 2011 | Softball
FLORA, Miss. - Tied at four in the bottom of the seventh inning, Mississippi State sophomore Heidi Shape belted a walk-off double to give the Bulldogs a thrilling 5-4 victory over Southeastern Louisiana Sunday afternoon at Tri-County Academy Softball Stadium. The fall season opener also marked the debut of new head coach Vann Stuedeman.
"We played absolutely perfect softball in the bottom of the seventh," Stuedeman said. "We had our backs against the wall with our two, three and four hitters up, and they executed flawlessly. The more opportunities we have to play in pressure-packed situations this fall, the more mentally tougher and stronger we will be this spring."
With the sun starting to fade, the Bulldogs rose to the occasion in the final frame, as junior Shelby Fisher led off with a single up the middle. Playing textbook softball, sophomore catcher and 2011 All-SEC Freshman Sam Lenahan advanced Fisher to second on a sacrifice bunt. That set the stage for Shape, who crushed a no-out double, knocking in the winning run.
On top of Shape's 2-for-3 performance, sophomore outfielder Jessica Offutt (2-for-2) and freshman Swayze Hollenhead also had impressive outings at the dish en route to nine total MSU hits. Making her collegiate debut in front of her friends and family in the first inning, Hollenhead sent the first pitch of her collegiate career screaming over the fence for a home run.
"It's always great for freshmen to put on the uniform in the fall and get the nerves and jitters out before spring rolls around," Stuedeman explained. "We have an impressive group of freshmen and they're only going to get better."
In the circle, State was led by starting junior southpaw Stephanie Becker, who fanned six Lions over three scoreless innings, as the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Redshirt senior right hander Misty Flesher, senior lefty Lindsey Dunlap, sophomore righty Shana Sherrod and junior left hander Kylie Vry also saw action, pitching one inning apiece.
"We want to sincerely thank Coach Goolsby and the people of Flora for going above and beyond in providing an absolutely fantastic event," Stuedeman proclaimed. "The southern hospitality was second to none. Besides treating us as royalty, the facilities were first class, and we can't wait to get back there again."
The Bulldogs resume their first-ever fall statewide tour Sunday, Oct. 9, for a 2 p.m. tilt against Marion Military Institute. The Sunday afternoon contest will take place at Clarkdale High School in Meridian, Miss., and will feature a free softball clinic and shirt for the first 100 fans age 10-18. Fans are encouraged to follow the team via Facebook and Twitter for more information regarding the fall schedule.
