Tuesday NCAA Recap: Bulldog Softball Team Arrives in Oregon
May 16, 2012 | Softball
EUGENE, Ore. - With championship aspirations, the Mississippi State softball team traveled 2,439 miles Tuesday to the University of Oregon in preparation for its appearance in the 2012 NCAA Eugene Regional. The Bulldogs (33-22) will take on Western Athletic Conference tournament champions BYU (43-13) at Howe Field at 5 p.m. CT (3 p.m. PT) on Thursday, May 17.
Before the Bulldogs and Cougars could play on the field, the two teams shared a plane. After departing from Golden Triangle Regional Airport near Starkville Tuesday at 9 a.m. CT, the Maroon and White stopped in Provo, Utah, to pick up BYU. Despite the fact that the two teams will compete against each other Thursday, the moment was the first highlight of the trip for MSU first baseman Shelby Fisher and catcher Ka'ili Smith, who were able to catch up with childhood friends that play for BYU.
Upon arrival in Oregon, the team was whisked off to Pre's Rock, an unofficial memorial for Steve Prefontaine, one of the greatest distance runners in American history. There, the team learned about Pre's legendary endurance, mental toughness and winning mentality. Following the trip to Pre's Rock, Starkville's Team spent an hour at a local shopping mall, where Head Coach Vann Stuedeman ran into a former Mississippi State football player from the 1990s. After the surprise visit with the MSU alum, the team checked in to the team hotel, where the city of Eugene welcomed the Maroon and White with open arms.
State's selection to the Big Dance was part of an NCAA-best nine selections from the Southeastern Conference, setting a league record. Regional play begins May 17-20, followed by the Super Regionals on May 24-27. The Women's College World Series is May 31-June 6 in Oklahoma City, Okla. at ASA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. For more information on the MSU softball program, follow the team on Twitter at @MStateSB and like the team on Facebook at Facebook.com/MStateSB.
***** 2012 NCAA TOURNAMENT COVERAGE OF MISSISSIPPI STATE *****
From MSU Media Relations...
2012 Mississippi State NCAA Tournament Media Guide
May 15th Photo Gallery: Bulldogs Travel to Eugene, Oregon
Video: City of Eugene Welcomes the Team to the NCAA Regional
Video: Team Visits Pre's Rock And Drops Off MSU Lineup Card
Revisit MSU's Twitter Timeline For Hour-By-Hour Recap of Tuesday, May 15
Softball Headed To Oregon For NCAA Eugene Regional
Photo Gallery: Selection Show Watch Party
From Starkville Daily News...
Bound for Oregon Bulldogs make return to NCAA Softball Tournament
MSU Softball Makes Strides During Season
From Commercial Dispatch...
It's Vanntastic: MSU softball coach Vann Stuedeman's vision of NCAAs becomes reality
Stuedeman Will Take MSU Softball Dancing
MSU Boasts the Hawaiian Hammer
From Scout.com
Softball Dogs Begin NCAA Season in Oregon
MSU Softball Reacts to Selection
From Bulldog Sports Radio...
Head Coach Vann Stuedeman and Shortstop Erin Nesbit on B&B Show (1/4 Way Through)
Assistant Coach Alan Reach on Daily Grind (3/4 Way Through)
From WCBI...
VIDEO: MSU Softball Makes the 2012 NCAA Tournament
VIDEO: Vann Stuedeman Talks About Making the 2012 NCAA Tournament
