Bulldogs Open SEC Slate On Road At No. 3 Alabama
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Alabama leads the all-time series with State, 29-7. The Crimson Tide have won six straight contests, dating back to an April 9, 2005 doubleheader sweep in Tuscaloosa. MSU's last win in the series came on April 10, 2004 when the Bulldogs defeated UA 10-5. MState hasn't won in Tuscaloosa since defeating the Crimson Tide, 7-3, April 13, 2003.
Chelsea Bramlett looks to keep her strong start to her collegiate career going. The freshman leads MSU in hitting with a .429 batting average. She also leads the conference in stolen bases (22) and runs (26), and is tied for second in hits with 36. Her 22 stolen bases currently put her third on MSU's all-time freshman list.
Kelli Miller leads the Bulldogs from the mound with a 6-3 record and a1.13 ERA. In 49.2 innings of work, the senior has struck out 29 batters.Sara Hickerson is 2-2 with 33 strikeouts in 37 innings of work. She also has a conference-high five saves.
Alabama will be MSU's fourth ranked opponent this season, and second ranked in the top ten. The Bulldogs beat then-10th ranked California, 9-0 on February 16 at the UNLV Louisville Slugger Leadoff Classic. MSU then fell to then-No 20 Florida State, 4-2, and No. 1 Nebraska, 7-6, at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Mississippi State is 0-6 all-time against teams ranked No. 3. State's last win over a ranked conference opponent was on April 24, 2005, when they knocked off No. 16 Florida, 3-0.
Alabama comes into the SEC opener ranked third in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll and tied for fourth in the USA Today/NFCA poll. The Crimson Tide is coming off a 4-0 showing at the Easton Spring Fling. In the opening game, UA defeated Seton Hall, 12-0. The following day, the Crimson Tide shutout No. 11 Louisiana-Lafayette, and then run-ruled Seton Hall, 9-1. On the final day, Bama beat ULL for a second time, 6-3.Alabama is led by infielder Lauren Parker. The sophomore is hitting .511 with five home runs and 21 RBI. She also has crossed the plate 21 times.From the mound, junior Chrissy Owens is 10-0 with a 0.25 ERA. She also has 57 strikeouts in 55.0 innings.
Following this weekend's action, the Bulldogs will travel to Lexington, Ky. for a doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 3:00 p.m.
