Clutch Hitting Gives State 6-2 Win Over Kentucky
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Official Game Statistics
Bulldogs Clinch First Series In Lexington Since 1997 Season
LEXINGTON, Ky. --
Mississippi State rallied for two spots in each of the fifth and sixth innings to break open an otherwise close game as the Bulldogs rebounded from Saturday's game two heartbreaker with a 6-2 victory over Kentucky in the rubber match that clinched State's first road series win against the Wildcats since 1997.
All-American Iyhia McMichael (2-for-3, BB) doubled twice and scored a pair of runs, including the gamewinner in the top of the fifth to lead pace the Bulldog offense, while Kate Jaspers hit 1-for-2, including a crucial two-run double with two outs in the sixth. Rachel Friberg turned in a 3-for-4 day at the plate to pace the Blue and White.
Albeit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth, Mississippi State starter Melissa Massey (9-7) kept Kentucky off balance for much of the contest and took the decision after scattering eight hits and striking out nine in her 10th complete game of her junior campaign. Amy Kendall saddled the loss for the 'Cats after allowing a pair of earned runs on three hits and a pair of walks in three and one-thirds innings of work.
For the third time in the series, State took a quick first inning lead, getting McMichael aboard on a leadoff double, then scoring the run on a sac bunt from Kate Jaspers and a crucial throwing error from third baseman Meghan Cooper. State nearly broke it open early, but Jennifer Waterman's crushing shot to right field was held in by a gust of wind and a baserunning error by Jaspers allowed the 'Cats to turn the double play.
Kentucky got something going with their first at-bats as well, getting consecutive singles to start their half of the first and put runners on the corners with no outs. Massey bunkered down and slammed the door on the rally, however, by striking out Amber Janneck, getting Friberg on an attempted double steal at the plate, then inducing Brooke Marnitz to fly out to Hayle Guess in leftfield.
The Bulldogs stretched their advantage in the fourth, getting Brown aboard via a one-out single and Callye Williams on with a walk to set the table for McDonald, who laced a ball through the middle to plate Brown from second base and give the Maroons a 2-0 lead. Although being blessed with the lead, Kentucky finally answered in the bottom of the inning, when Marnitz took an 0-2 offering from Massey and delivered a two-run blast to left centerfield to knot the score up.
A leadoff walk, coupled with a stolen base, put McMichael into scoring position again for MSU in the third before Jaspers grounded out to get the runner to third. After the reliever Prugh walked Waterman to put runners on the corners, Nelson's RBI single to centerfield gave the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead, but Waterman was thrown out by the rightfielder Amber Janneck as she tried to advance to third. With Nelson standing on second base, Brown waited out a 1-1 offering from Prugh and hit it just inside the first base line to bring Nelson racing home from the second base bag.
Mississippi State will return to action this weekend when the Bulldogs head to the plains of Alabama to take on SEC Western Division rival and nationally ranked Auburn in a three-game set at Jane B. Moore Field. The two squads will meet for the 26th time in a single game on Friday at 6 p.m. and conclude the set with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader beginning at 1.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 6, KENTUCKY 2
Mississippi State 100 122 0 - 6 7 0 Kentucky 000 200 0 - 2 8 1
Massey and Waterman. Kendall, Prugh (4), Wolfe (6) and Campbell. W * Massey (9-7). L * Kendall (6-11). Save * None. HR * UK, Marnitz. 2B * MSU, McMichael 2, Jaspers.
