Ward Powers Through Six-Inning Start in 8-3 Win
February 08, 2015 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – On the final day of the 2015 Bulldog Kickoff Classic, Mississippi State softball defeated Saint Louis 8-3 on Sunday, finishing their weekend 5-0 at the MSU Softball Field.
"First of all, the crowds were VANNtastic all weekend," head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "Holly Ward gained some valuable experience that will be needed down the road. Alexis Silkwood was huge in relief, striking out the side, with runners on 2nd & 3rd and no outs to close the game."
Despite the Billikens starting things off in the first with a two-run home run, Ward was able to retire the next three batters keeping the score to a minimal 2-0.
Sophomore Caroline Seitz would find the sweet spot of the bat on the first pitch for a solo shot cutting the SLU lead to only one. Senior Erika Gaul then was able to drop a hit into shallow left center scoring sophomore Katie Anne Bailey, tying the game at 2-2 after one.
The visitor's bats continued to stay hot in the second with the first two batters getting on base, but Ward was able to get out of the inning unscathed. Loryn Nichols got on base in the second with a single to right over the shortstop's head and then stole her way to third. Bailey would then score Nichols with a RBI single giving the Maroon & White a 3-2 lead.
Freshman Morgan Bell got things rolling in the third with a single and Gaul stayed hot with a stand-up double. Shortstop Kayla Winkfield provided a sacrifice fly out to center, scoring Bell and extending the lead to 4-2.
With her second RBI triple of the weekend, in the fourth, Bailey scored pinch runner Madison Arroyo, tacking on another run. Mackenzie Toler scored Bailey with a RBI single, making it 6-2 in favor of State.
"We were very efficient on offense today, scoring in every inning against a well-coached opponent in Saint Louis, said Stuedeman. "Erika, Katie Anne, Loryn & Wink all had great offensive weekends. We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend. I am looking forward to Thursday when we can get back out there to compete again."
The Bulldogs would pick up two more runs before the end of the game. Nichols singled in the fifth, leading to a run as she stole around the bases. Sophomore Amanda Ivy singled and Gaul recorded her second double of the game. With a RBI single, Winkfield set the final score of 8-3.
Ward was able to keep Saint Louis to only scoring one more run for the remaining five innings with the help of her defense. Sophomore Alexis Silkwood would come into the game to record the last three outs, all in the form of strikeouts to give the Bulldogs an 8-3 victory.
State will return to the diamond on Thursday, Feb. 12 for the February Freezer against Louisiana Tech. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. 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."
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