Winkfield Delivers To Keep MSU Softball Unbeaten
February 08, 2015 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – On a picturesque day for softball, Mississippi State softball stayed undefeated after beating Saint Louis 3-2 and Austin Peay 8-0 on the third day of the 2015 Bulldog Kickoff Classic at MSU Softball Field.
Having started the season 4-0 for the second time in as many season, the Bulldogs have now won each of their first four games in walk-off fashion and have outscored their opponents 28-3 for three mercy-rule victories.
Game One – vs. Saint Louis
Behind the hot bat of junior shortstop Kayla Winkfield and the strong arm of sophomore pitcher Alexis Silkwood, the Bulldogs beat Saint Louis, 3-2, in walk-off fashion.
"It's always nice to come out in a tight victory, when you're behind and then you tie it up then get ahead," head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "It was nice to starch out a win against a quality pitcher and opponent like that."
After MSU gave up a run in the top the first, senior Julia Echols hit her first home run of the year to knot the game up at one apiece.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, MSU rallied behind a lead-off Winfield double and a single from sophomore Katie Anne Bailey to re-tie the game, this time at two heading into the final frame.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Winkfield made her presence felt once again with a single through the right side, scoring senior Katie Gentle from second to end the contest.
Game Two – vs. Austin Peay
Immediately following game one, the State bats showed up in force. Jumping out to a 5-0 lead at the end of one, the Maroon and White held on and added to their lead for an 8-0 run ruling of Austin Peay in five innings.
In her second start of the weekend, Holly Ward went five strong shutout innings giving up only three hits and zero walks with two strikeouts. Ward is now 2-0 through her first two career starts.
The MSU offensive explosion was led by freshman Calyn Adams and Bailey. The catcher went one for three with a two-rule double in the first inning. Playing second base, Bailey went one for three with a two run double, also in the first inning.
State will return to the field for final day of the 2015 Bulldog Kickoff Classic against St. Louis. The rematch with the Billikens is set to start at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission to all games at the MSU Softball Stadium is free and open to the public.
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."
