Callahan, Rebels Blank Mississippi State, 2-0
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Despite Loss, Bulldogs Still Clinging To Final SEC Tournament Berth
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Ole Miss utilized a crucial Mississippi State error to plate a run in the first, then rallied for an insurance score in the seventh, to give starter Mary Jane Callahan more than enough run support as the Rebels snapped a three-game series losing skid with a 2-0 triumph over the Bulldogs Thursday evening at the MSU Softball Field.
The win was the first for the Rebels (25-19, 5-11 SEC) in Starkville since the 2000 season, snapping a losing skid of six games for the Blue and White. Despite the loss, Mississippi State (26-22, 6-13) still maintains a half-game lead on the Rebels for the final berth into the SEC Tournament.
The Maroon and White got base hits from four different players, including Tanelda McDonald (1-for-3) who broke up Callahan's no-hit bid with a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth. Katie Cooley had her career-long hitting streak ended at five games on a 0-for-3 hitting line. The Rebels got a pair of multi-hit tallies from DeDe Justice (2-for-4) and Chloe Kloezeman.
Callahan (10-9) surrendered just four hits and struck out five in her 12th complete game of the campaign to pick up the win for Ole Miss, while MSU starter Kelli Miller (9-8) saddled the loss, despite surrendering an unearned run in one inning of action. Stephanie Comeaux scattered five hits and struck out six Rebels in six innings of relief, but did not get a decision.
We just did a horrible job at the plate tonight. It was just pitiful, said Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller. Until we can make adjustments and grow up a little at the plate, that's what is going to happen. Stephanie did a great job of coming in and shutting them down and giving us an opportunity which is what we ask from out pitchers. We just need to generate a little more offense.
The Rebels wasted no time in mounting a scoring threat, using a leadoff walk in the first, as well as its short game, to put a runner into scoring position early. However, Miller appeared to get out of the jam until Brittany Warner's routine grounder was misplayed by Courtney Bures at shortstop, allowing Callahan to round third and score with the 1-0 lead for Ole Miss.
After McDonald broke up Callahan's no-hitter in the fourth, MSU put runners at first and second with its first three at-bats in the fifth, but to no avail. Callahan got pinch-hitter Sara Hickerson on a grounder to the left side and induced an inning-ending pop up from the bat of Katie Cooley.
The Rebels would rally for an insurance run in the top of the seventh, getting Callahan aboard, again, on a walk, but this time used a seeing-eye single from Kloezeman to stretch the advantage out to two. MSU went down quietly in the bottom of the frame to provide the final.
Mississippi State will return to action this weekend when the Bulldogs close out their 2005 home schedule with a three-game series against Arkansas (15-31, 1-16) at the MSU Softball Field. The two will open up their set with a 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon doubleheader, before locking horns on Sunday in the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday's series bookend will be preceded by Senior Day festivities as MSU's class of 2005 * Jennifer Jessup, Melissa Massey and Tanelda McDonald * will be honored just before the first pitch.
