MSU Softball Takes To Road For First Time At UNLV Desert Classic
May 25, 2016 | Softball
State opens the tournament Thursday night against Brigham Young at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs defeated BYU in their only other meeting in 2004. MSU opens Friday's slate of games at 11 a.m. when it looks to earn its first ever victory over tenth-ranked Cal. The Bulldogs dropped the previous three meetings. MState follows that match-up when they face Cal-Davis for the first time at 5 p.m. Mississippi Sate closes the tournament Saturday against Hawaii (11 a.m.) and Utah State (2 p.m.).
Obviously, we're looking forwards to going out to Vegas, said MSU head coach Jay Miller. We're facing some pretty tough competition, with Cal and Hawaii, who's been playing real well and BYU is undefeated. So we'll have a good test out there and see where we'll be able to compete in the SEC.
Courtney Bures looks to extend her sizzling start to the season. The junior shortstop hit .500 at the Bulldog Round Robin, scoring four times and driving in 10 runs, capped off by her five RBI day against Purdue.
Kelli Miller comes into the Desert Classic with a 3-0 record and a 0.00 ERA. In 18 innings of work, the senior has allowed just two unearned runs, and is currently on a 17.1 inning scoreless streak.
Brigham Young brings back 15 letterwinners, but only one arm of its pitching staff as the Cougars look to reach the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. BYU started this season going 5-0 at the BYU/UVSC Red Desert Classic, outscoring its opponents 46-7. The Cougars are led by Tracee Hoch. The senior second baseman hit .500 with two homeruns, four doubles, six runs and 11 RBI. Christie Zinanti (2-0, 0.64 ERA, 8 K) will look to pace Brigham Young in the circle. BYU was projected to finish third in the Mountain West preseason poll.
The Bears enter the tournament ranked 10th in the USA Today/NFCA preseason poll and the current ESPN.com/USA Softball poll. Cal returns five field starters and one pitcher from a team that advanced to the NCAA Super Regional last year. Cal started the season, going 3-1 at the San Diego State Tournament. The Bears outscored their opponents 16-2 in four games. In the circle, Cal is led by Brittany LaRosa. The freshman pitcher is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. The Bears are led at the plate by sophomore outfielder Morgan Siegel and junior infielder Katie Vickers, who are both hitting .400 through the first four games. Cal was projected to finish sixth in a preseason poll of the Pac-10 coaches.
Cal-Davis brings back five field starters and one starting pitcher from last season's 15-39 squad. The Aggies will take the field for the first time this weekend, as their season opening doubleheader with St. Mary's was cancelled. UCD is highlighted by the return of junior Ashley Johnson. Johnson hit .283 with a team-leading five homeruns and 26 RBI. From the mound, Cal-Davis is led by senior Lindsay Tognetti (8-17, 2.40 ERA, 164 K).
Hawaii enters the tournament on a roll, having twice defeated No. 20 Nebraska, as well as No. 24 Auburn and No. 25 DePaul at its own Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic to start the 2007 campaign 5-1. The Rainbow Wahine returns eight field starters, as well as four pitchers from a team that advanced to the WAC Tournament Championship last year. At the plate, Hawaii is led by first baseman Tyleen Tausaga. The senior leads UH with a .412 batting average, as well as three home runs, four runs and nine RBI. Justine Smethurst heads the Rainbow Wahine from the mound. The sophomore pitcher is 2-1 with a 0.82 ERA and 13 strikeouts. Hawaii was projected to finish second behind Fresno State in a preseason poll of the Western Athletic Conference coaches.
Utah State enters the Classic having gone 2-2 at the BYU/UVSC Red Desert Classic. The Aggies brings back five field starters and one starting pitcher from last season's 15-39 squad. USU is highlighted by the return of junior Amy Schaible. The third baseman hit .248 with a homerun, 12 runs and nine RBI. From the mound, Leslie Higley (1-12, 5.27 ERA, 42 K) is the Aggies top returning hurler.
Following this week's action, the Bulldogs will return home to face Mississippi Valley State, Wednesday, February 21 at 4 p.m.
