Fisher Knocks In Four As Bulldogs Overpower Gamecocks, 8-1

Saturday, February 11

Mobile, Ala.

10:00 AM

Mississippi State

3-0

Jacksonville State

0-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Mississippi State	0	5	3	0	0	0	0	8	9	0
Jacksonville State	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	0

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Fisher Knocks In Four As Bulldogs Overpower Gamecocks, 8-1

February 11, 2012 | Softball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

Mobile, Ala. - Junior left fielder Shelby Fisher exploded for a career-high four RBIs and junior left-handed pitcher Kylie Vry pitched her second-straight complete game as the Mississippi State softball team (3-0) defeated Jacksonville State (0-2) by a score of 8-1 Saturday at Jaguar Field. Head coach Vann Stuedeman has now won her first three games as the leader of the Bulldog softball program, becoming the first MSU softball coach to accomplish the feat.

"I was extremely impressed by how our players came out with a focused mindset despite the early start time," Stuedeman said. "Shelby Fisher and Jessica Offutt were awesome at the plate today and were responsible for six of our eight runs. I'm really proud of the fighting spirit we're bringing to each game."

In a rematch from their 3-2 exhibition triumph this past fall, the Bulldogs' offense exploded for eight runs on nine hits, including nine base on balls. The nine walks tied for the seventh-most in a single game in school history and were the most since taking 10 free bases vs. Ole Miss on April 7, 2007.

Individually, Fisher led the team with four RBIs on a career-best tying two hits, including her first-career triple in the top of the third inning. Offutt's day ended with career highs in hits (3) and runs (2), while tying her career mark with two runs batted in. Both Fisher (1) and Offutt (2) tied their collegiate bests in stolen bases as well. Also picking up hits were senior designated player Brittany Bell, sophomore second baseman Heidi Shape and freshman outfielder Ashley Phillips. Shape's single was her first base knock of the season, while Phillips' infield single was her first collegiate hit.

Going up against a team that has made four-straight NCAA Tournaments, Vry gave up one run on six hits with six strikeouts. For the first time in her career, the 5-foot-10 lefty pitched her second-straight complete game, becoming the first MSU pitcher with two-straight complete-game victories on consecutive days since senior teammate Lindsey Dunlap did so April 8-9, 2009. In her first two outings of 2012, opponents are hitting .184, including a microscopic 0.77 (1-for-13) with runners on base. In her six appearances dating back to last year, Vry owns a 1.57 earned run average.

A first-inning solo home run by Jacksonville State's Shelby Holley was the only mistake Vry made Saturday. Trailing 1-0 after one, the Bulldogs immediately bounced back. Bell and juniors Erin Nesbit and Jessica Cooley walked in successive order to load the bases for Offutt. Playing in her home state, the sophomore center fielder connected on a first-pitch single to left to give State a lead it would never relinquish. With runners at the corners, senior first baseman Ka'ili Smith walked on four pitches to load the bases for Fisher. After JSU brought in new pitcher Hilary Phillips, Fisher picked up her first two RBIs of the morning with a single through the right side of the infield and advanced to second on the right fielder's throw home. Two batters later, Smith arrived at the dish courtesy of a passed ball, concluding the scoring in State's five-run second inning.

With Vry retiring the side in the bottom half of the second frame, Bully's bats went at it again with a three-run third inning. Cooley started it off by walking on a full count and advanced to second on an infield single by the speedy Offutt. Following Smith's only strikeout of 2012, Fisher tripled down the line in right, plating both Cooley and Offutt. Two Bulldogs later, Shape stepped up and notched her first RBI of the year to give MSU its final seven-run margin.

Starkville's team wraps up its opening weekend at the 2012 Mardi Gras Invitational Sunday with a 10 a.m. first pitch against 2011 NCAA Tournament squad Memphis. Fans can visit HailState.com for live stats and follow along at Twitter.com/MStateSB for live in-game updates.