Bulldogs Edge Arkansas In Series-Opening Pitching Duel, 2-0
May 25, 2016 | Softball
State Takes Series Lead As Massey Wins Third Straight Decision
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Mississippi State plated runs in each of the first and sixth innings to rally behind a two-hit shutout from junior staff ace Melissa Massey as the Bulldogs won their third-straight outing with a 2-0 victory over homestanding Arkansas in the first of a three-game series Saturday afternoon at Lady 'Back Yard.
Senior all-American Iyhia McMichael stretched her hitting streak out to six games with a pair of walks and a solo homer in the first, while fellow senior Kate Jaspers extended her hitting skein out to three on a 1-for-4 tally. Rookie outfielder Hayle Guess led the Bulldog offense, however, turning in a 2-for-3 hitting line with a triple. Two players recorded 1-for-3 outings to pace the Arkansas offense.
Massey (12-8) completely dominated the Arkansas order, allowing just a first-inning double and a bloop single in the second, and tallied seven strikeouts on the way to her fourth solo shutout of the campaign. Arkansas' Heather Schlichtman (12-21) also struck out seven batters, but surrendered two runs on six hits and a pair of walks to saddle the loss for the Lady 'Backs.
The blanking was Massey's 11th career shutout and moved her into sole possession of second place on the school's career list. The Fayetteville, Tenn., native now needs just two more shutouts to tie herself atop the list with former MSU hurler Autumn Anderson.
State took the initial lead with one swing of the bat after McMichael led off the contest by slamming a 0-1 offering from Schlichtman into the parking lot in left field for the quick lead. State threatened to extend the lead in the second, getting Hayle Guess aboard via a one-out triple, but after inducing pinch hitter Katie Johnson to ground out and intentionally walking McMichael, Schlichtman got out of the jam when McMichael left first base too early.
Arkansas got its first runner into scoring position with two outs in the fourth courtesy of a leadoff walk issued to Kallie Foglesong and a one-out groundout by Rachel LeMaster. The Lady 'Backs would then put runners at the corners with a pair of outs showing after MSU third baseman Tanelda McDonald mishandled a grounder from the bat of Shana Easley. Facing her first real pressure of the contest, however, Massey struck out Kristen Patton on a 2-2 pitch to escape the inning.
The Bulldogs would extend their lead with an insurance run in the sixth, getting Blaire Brown into position on a one-out double, then plating the run two batters later on McDonald's infield single and a crucial error by the UA second baseman LeMaster.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 2, ARKANSAS 0Mississippi State (27-21) 100 001 0 - 2 6 1 Arkansas (15-32) 000 000 0 - 0 2 2
Massey and Waterman. Schlichtman and Easley. W - Massey (12-8). L - Schlichtman (12-21). Save - None. HR - MSU, McMichael. 3B - MSU, Guess. 2B - MSU, Brown.
