Bulldogs Host Southern Miss In Rare Midweek Matchup
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Live Statistics
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Boasting one of the Southeastern Conference's top batting averages, the Mississippi State softball team will interrupt a nine-game stretch away from Starkville with a rare midweek home match-up as the Bulldogs lace up to host cross-state rival Southern Miss on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the MSU Softball Field.
Winners in five of its last nine contests, with three losses coming at the hands of nationally ranked competition, the Bulldogs (11-6) will face the Golden Eagles (9-7) on Wednesday in the first of two meetings this season, with the second coming in Hattiesburg on April 6. Wednesday's game in Starkville can be followed live via a live stats link at the official Internet home for MSU athletics, www.MStateAthletics.com. Admission to all 2005 MState softball home games is free.
Fresh off a 2-3 weekend at the Palm Springs Classic, the Bulldogs will return to the comfy confines of its home stadium for the first time since February 19 when the Maroon and White clinched the Bulldog Classic title with a pair of victories against Troy and Tulsa, respectively. Although the record does not quite show the positives of its weekend on the West coast, State did post victories against both Utah and Cal State-Fullerton, while dropping a pair of one-run games to No. 20 Pacific and No. 18 Oregon State.
"We were competitive, but there comes a time when you have to step up to win some games and we didn't do that," said Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller. "We seem to find a way to lose, rather than find a way to win and that's the mentality that we need to work on changing."
Sporting a .288 team batting average, the Golden Eagles have been paced by a pair of .400 hitters in juniors Jessica Huerta (.438, HR, 13 RBI) and Charity Butler (.415, 10 RBI). However, the Golden Eagles look to be dangerous up and down their lineup with another duo hitting .306 or better.
From the circle, USM has gotten the most consistency, as well as innings, from rookie Krystal Crooks who has turned in a 6-1 record and a team-best 2.14 ERA. Junior righthander Danielle Wymer (2-3, 4.64) could see action against the Bulldogs as well Wednesday evening.
"We don't know a whole lot about them because we haven't seen them yet this year, but they always field a solid ball club and a team you always have to go out and play your best against or you're going to struggle," Miller said. "We've had some inconsistency lately, and that's what we have to get straightened out, whether it is Southern Miss or Cal or anybody. Our goal right now is to try and play fundamental softball and everything else will take care of itself."
Although struggling with inconsistency defensively, the Bulldogs have been solid both from the pitching circle and in the batter's box. Paced by a pair of .400 hitters in sophomore catcher Blair Geddings (.448, 2 RBI) and rookie shortstop Courtney Bures (.410, 6 HR, 18 RBI), the Maroon and White have turned in a .318 team batting average through 17 games as well as a .381 squad on-base percentage.
The Bulldogs' five-armed pitching staff has compiled a 1.84 team ERA, led by the exploits of sophomore Kelli Miller (4-2, 1.44 ERA) and freshman Ragan Blake (1-1, 1.31). However, the Bulldogs have used different looks against various teams and could counter with a mix of any of its righthanders, including both Stephanie Comeaux (3-1, 1.93) and Melissa Massey (3-2, 2.69). Wednesday's starter against the Golden Eagles will be a gametime decision.
Following Wednesday afternoon's contest, MState will take to the road again this weekend when it travels to Atlanta, Ga., for the Georgia Tech-hosted Buzz Classic. State will open its portion of round-robin tournament play in a Friday day-night doubleheader against Florida A&M and St. Francis (PA).
