Bulldogs Close Out Pre-Conference Slate Hosting Indiana State, Samford
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Chelsea Bramlett looks to keep her strong start to her collegiate career going. The freshman leads MSU in hitting with a .418 batting average. She also leads the conference in hits (33), runs (25) and stolen bases (20). Her 20 stolen bases currently put her third on MSU's all-time freshman list.
Kelli Miller comes into the Frost Classic with a 5-3 record and a 1.28 ERA. In 43.2 innings of work, the senior has struck out 25 batters. Sara Hickerson is 2-2, with 33 strikeouts in 36 innings of work. She also has a conference-high five saves.
Indiana State enters Tuesday's midweek contest with a 10-5. In previous action, ISU went 3-2 at the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic. The Sycamores opened the tournament defeating No. 21 Georgia Tech, 2-1. Indiana State then fell to Centenary, 5-3. The following day, ISU swept a pair of games, shutting out Lipscomb, 6-0, and then dropping New Mexico in five innings, 10-1. The Sycamores, however, fell in the championship game versus Boston, 10-5. The Sycamores are led by infielder Meredith Simpson. The sophomore is hitting .340 with 15 runs and five RBI. Darcy Wood paces Indiana State from the circle. The junior is 6-4 with a 2.36 ERA. She has also struck out 72 batters in68.1 innings. This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Samford comes into Wednesday's game with a 10-7 record. The Bulldogs are coming off a 3-2 showing at the UAB Magic City Classic. In the opening game, SU fell to UAB, 7-2. They then rattled off three straight victories over Birmingham-Southern (2-1), Ohio State (2-1), and another over BSC (8-6), before falling in the finale to UAB, 3-1. Samford is led by outfielder Shelley Stanley. The senior is hitting .308 with five home runs and ten RBI. She also has crossed the plate nine times. From the mound, sophomore Stephanie Royall is 8-4 with a 1.87 ERA. She also has 82 strikeouts in 82.1 innings. Mississippi State holds an 11-1 record all-time against Samford, including a doubleheader sweep last year in Starkville.
Following this week's action, the Bulldogs will take to the road to open conference play. MSU heads to No. 3 Alabama for a doubleheader on Saturday, followed by a single game on Sunday.
