Softball Travels West To The Delta For Wednesday Game at MVSU
March 27, 2012 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Looking to get back to its winning ways, the Mississippi State softball team (18-15) will travel to the Delta Wednesday for a 5 p.m. contest against Mississippi Valley State (17-15) at the MVSU Softball Complex. Free live audio streaming of the game will be available online to HailStateTV subscribers (www.HailState.com/hstvlive).
"Earlier in the year when we played Mississippi Valley State, our batters struck out 10 times, so we are working to minimize that this time around," head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "I look forward to quality at-bats, a tough crowd and another great game of college softball."
The last time the two teams met was on Feb. 19, when the Maroon and White defeated the Devilettes in Starkville by a score of 3-2 in the final game of the annual Bulldog Round-Robin. The victory pushed State's winning streak against its in-state counterpart to 13 games, improving to 21-1 overall against MVSU. In matchups taking place in Itta Bena, MSU is 3-1 all-time against the home team.
The Maroon and White's offense is currently ranked third in the SEC in hits (254), fourth in batting average (.302) and fourth in on-base percentage (.407). The OBP is helped by redshirt senior Brittany Bell, who ranks ninth in the NCAA with a .560 clip. Bell has also contributed to a league-best .385 batting average with the bases loaded in conference games.
State's leadoff hitter Ka'ili Smith is coming off a great weekend at home against No. 10/9 Tennessee, where she hit .375 (3-for-8) and tallied three stolen bases, two walks, an RBI double and a run scored. The Flyin' Hawaiian has stolen a base in four-consecutive games for the first time in her career after having swiped just four bags total in her previous 39-career contests. With Smith's help, MSU leadoff hitters are hitting .429 in conference play (36-for-84), ranking second in the SEC.
Getting on base will be no easy task against MVSU pitcher Alicia Lorenz, who is holding opponents around the Mendoza Line (.205). The junior is 9-7 with nine complete games and a 3.01 ERA. Showing command in the circle, the righty has struck out 100 batters and walked only 34 opponents on the 2012 campaign.
Offensively, the Devilettes are anchored by freshman catcher Xiomara Perez, who was named to the Bulldog Round-Robin All-Tournament Team six weeks ago in Starkville. The Orlando, Fla., native is hitting a team-best .339 in 21 games this year.
Following the midweek tilt down in the Delta, Starkville's team will return home for a three-game weekend series against No. 2 Alabama at the MSU Softball Stadium. First pitch is 7 p.m. on Friday, where the first 150 in attendance will receive a free MSU Rally Rag. The first 250 rabid Bulldog fans at Saturday's 1 p.m. game receive free "HailState" sunglasses. The "White OUT the TIDE" promotion concludes Sunday with the series finale at 1 p.m. As always, admission is free to all home games. For more information regarding MSU softball, follow the team on Twitter at @MStateSB and like the team at Facebook.com/MStateSB.
