Bulldogs Host No. 17 Florida In Final SEC Series
May 25, 2016 | Softball
SEC Standings
Saturday Is "Pack The Park" Day, First 100 Fans Receive MSU CD Case
STARKVILLE, Miss. ?- Having captured 10 of their last 12 outings, including a three-game sweep of rival Mississippi at home on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Mississippi State Softball team will suit back up this weekend to host No. 17 Florida in a three-game series at the Mississippi State Softball Field.
The Bulldogs (31-22, 12-15 SEC) and Gators (39-12, 15-9) will engage each other for the 21st and 22nd time in a series-opening doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m., while concluding the set on Sunday with a single game that has also been slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch. All three games can be followed via a live statistics link at the official Internet home of Mississippi State Athletics, http://www.MStateAthletics.com and admission to all 2004 Mississippi State Softball home games is free.
Saturday's doubleheader has been designated as "Pack The Park Day" with the first 100 fans through the gates receiving a free Mississippi State CD case.
After locking up its seventh consecutive SEC Tournament berth by winning all three games with the Rebels, State will be looking to improve its seeding for the conference postseason gala to be held May 13-16 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Bulldogs currently have a one-game lead on nationally ranked South Carolina for the No. 7 seed but, with a sweep of the Gators, could move up to a No. 6 seed by virtue of a tiebreaker.
Florida will roll into Starkville after dropping all three games of its series at No. 11 Tennessee last weekend, but the Gators got back on track with a 6-0 triumph over Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday in Gainesville, Fla. The Orange and Blue have dropped two its last three SEC series and its last two series against the Bulldogs.
"I think (the recent success) is a combination of a lot of things," said Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller. "Moves that we have made in the outfield and infield has really tightened us up defensively. So, we're making more plays which is giving the pitchers more confidence and, offensively, we're starting to jell a little bit.
"The kids have gotten some at-bats under their belt now and they are improving. That's a key ? to go out each and every week and get better and that's what we have been working on since last Fall. We want to continue doing that the last few weeks of the season and on into the SEC Tournament."
Carrying a .256 team batting clip, Florida is led on the offensive side of the ball by freshman Melissa Zick who possesses the only batting average above the .300 plateau (.309), as well as a team-leading four home runs and 19 RBI. The Gators could present problems with their team speed, with six hitters having seven or more stolen bases. Florida has nabbed 85 bases as a squad this year, while limiting their opponents to just 20.
From the circle, Florida has been forced to cope with the loss of SEC Pitcher of the Year candidate Jenny Gladding who had her season ended after tearing the bicep in her pitching arm against Georgia on April 3. Gladding, who was named to the top 40 list for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, ended her senior campaign with a 17-4 record and a 0.78 ERA.
But, the Gators have recovered with plenty of depth, paced by freshman righthander Stacey Stephens (13-5, 1.53 ERA) who has struck out 139 batters in just more than 137 innings of work. Behind her, the Bulldogs are likely to see senior Amanda Moore (6-1, 1.37) who is 0-2 with a 5.42 ERA in six career appearances against the Maroon and White.
The Bulldogs lead the overall series with Florida by a 13-7 count and have taken seven of the last eight meetings. The Bulldogs are 5-2 against the Gators in Starkville.
"We had pretty good success against them last year at their place when we won the series," Miller said. "Obviously, they have had a big loss with Gladding, both from a pitching and a hitting standpoint. They are going to be limping a little bit with that, but they are still playing good ball. They are still one of the top four teams in the conference, and still one of the top 20 teams in the country. It is an opportunity for us to play a quality opponent at home and give ourselves an opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Tournament."
Over its last 10 games, Mississippi State has posted an 8-2 record due, in large part to a .332 overall team batting average. Heading up the group in that same timespan is senior all-American Iyhia McMichael who is hitting a torrid .560 (14-for-25) with five RBI and 17 runs scored. However, both Kate Jaspers (.433, 13-for-30) and Lindsay Nelson (.429, 12-for-28) are hitting above the .400 plateau.
In the circle, State's pitchers have done their part in the recent surge as well. Staff ace Melissa Massey is a perfect 4-0 and has held opponents to a paltry .198 batting clip, while freshmen Stephanie Comeaux and Kelli Miller have picked up a pair of victories apiece.
