Adams Plays Big Late To Help MSU Past Illinois
February 14, 2015 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – On the second day of the 2015 February Freezer, Mississippi State defeated Illinois 9-8 on Friday in an up and down battle at the MSU Softball Field, bringing its overall mark to 7-0 on the season.
State is starting the 7-0 for the second straight season and for the fifth time in program history.
"We had to fight hard to come out on top tonight," MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said. "You learn a lot about your team when their backs are against the wall."
Sophomore Alexis Silkwood remained strong for the Bulldogs coming into the game to retire the first six batters she faced, in order.
Sophomore Katie Anne Bailey got things started with a single to right field on the first pitch. Sophomore Caroline Seitz hit a bloop single to right field, moving Bailey to third. Bailey scored on a throw down to second in an attempt to catch Seitz stealing, giving MSU the lead 1-0.
Freshman Morgan Bell led off with a single to shallow left center to give the Bulldogs a runner in the second. Sophomore Amanda Ivy stayed alert on the play to steal second after hitting a single to shortstop. Baily with the hot bat delivered a two-run single to right field to extend the lead to 3-0.
"The offense was on fire tonight and so much fun to watch. Katie Anne Bailey, Amanda Ivy and Caroline Seitz all swung the bat well," Stuedeman said.
Illinois applied pressure in the third with the eight and nine batters getting on base. However, Silkwood, with the help of the defense, was able to limit the Illini to only one run, making it 3-1. Once again Illinois would try to take the lead in the fourth, but Silkwood stood her ground after giving up only a solo bomb that cut the lead to 3-2.
After juniors Loryn Nichols and Kayla Winkfield reached base in the fourth, a double steal placed runners on second and third. Ivy came up strong once again, this time with a two-run triple to put the Bulldogs up 5-2. After a RBI from Julia Echols, Seitz sent a ball deep into the night for a two-run jack that capped a five-run fourth and put MSU ahead 8-2.
The Illini would try to cut into the lead in the sixth, but Silkwood did not budge. After allowing a two run homer to make it 8-4 she rallied to record two strikeouts to end the inning.
Freshman Calyn Adams recorded her first career home run, a solo shot, in the home half of the six, adding to the cushion and bringing the count to 9-4.
"Calyn Adams was huge for us tonight with a home run and some savvy defensive plays," Stuedeman said.
Adams' long ball proved to be vital after Illinois rallied to bring across four in the top of the seventh. Silkwood would not allow the comeback to be completed as she put away Illinois and the game for a 9-8 Bulldog victory.
State will return to the diamond on Saturday for the third day of the February Freezer with a double header against UT Martin and Lamar. First pitch is set for 11:30 p.m. Admission to all games at the MSU Softball Stadium is free.
For more information on MSU softball program, follow "HailStateSB" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also find all-access coverage of the Bulldogs on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
Postgame Notes:
- Caroline Seitz has hit a home run in three straight games and has four on the season.
- Amanda Ivy hit her first career triple in the bottom of the fourth.
- Calyn Adams hit her first career homerun in the bottom of the sixth.
- In 2015, Alexis Silkwood has 42 strikeouts in 24 innings with a 3-0 record.
- Tonight was Silkwood's fifth career game with 10+ strikeouts.
- The State offense has scored six or more runs in five of its seven games in 2015.
- Bulldog pitching has seven or more strikeouts in five of the seven games this season.
- The Maroon & White improved to 56-2 when scoring eight or more runs under head coach Vann Stuedeman.
- Tonight was the first program meeting between MSU and Illinois. Resulting in MSU's first win against the Fighting Illini.
- State is starting the 7-0 for the second straight season and fifth time in program history.
